Harnessing Himalayan Heat: IIT Bombay's Solar Innovation for Sustainable Warmth

Researchers at IIT Bombay developed a prototype utilizing strontium bromide to harness solar energy for heating homes during harsh Himalayan winters. This system provides a sustainable alternative to diesel heaters and firewood, and has been tested on the Indian Army's camps at high altitudes.

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has unveiled an innovative prototype aimed at heating homes sustainably during the harsh winter months in the Himalayas. Utilizing strontium bromide, a salt compound, the prototype captures and stores solar heat collected during summer.

This clean and smoke-free alternative offers a significant improvement over traditional diesel heaters and firewood, often relied upon by Himalayan communities. The unit, which can store about 500 kilowatt-hours of energy, is designed to be portable and easy to operate, with potential for recharging solar stations in sun-rich areas like Gujarat or Rajasthan.

Successfully tested in lab conditions and with the Indian Army, the technology promises long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. While initial costs are higher than other heaters, over time, the economic advantage, bolstered by reduced fuel and carbon emissions costs, becomes apparent.

(With inputs from agencies.)