The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Solar heating system spreads green culture

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Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Solar heating system spreads green culture

S. Annamalai

Hot and happening: An array of photovoltaic panels.

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A solar heating system has transformed the TTK-LIG’s condom manufacturing unit here into an environment-friendly factory. Besides resulting in considerable reduction in power consumption, it has enhanced the quality of TTK products. The impact of the alternative energy system is so tangible that wastage of power, noise and fumes are history.

Solar heating is used as an alternative to a conventional system of drying condoms. The system, installed on the roof of the factory, provides hot air at 55 degree Celsius and facilitates drying of 10,500 latex pieces in 40 minutes. Prior to its installation, the process took 60 minutes, with hot air at 35 degree C pumped in by electric motors. The solar system has facilitated uniform heating of all pieces, thus enhancing their quality, says N. Muthukumar, Vice-President (Operations), TTK-LIG. It has also won for the company a few national awards for energy conservation, including the Most Innovation Award of Confederation of Indian Industry.

According to C. Palaniappan of Planters Energy Network (PEN), the solar heating system installed by it has a minimum life of 15 years. It has been put to a new use at the Virudhunagar factory. The system has already made an impact in the tea industry and in the drying of pulses, vegetables, fish and leather. The pay-back period is generally two years, with government subsidy, in case of a profit-making company and three years without subsidy.

PEN was formed as a registered trust by Madurai Kamaraj University in 1989 and now it functions from Theni. It is involved in research and fabrication of solar appliances.

The application of renewable energy system has resulted in the spread of a renewable energy culture in the unit. About 90 per cent of the food served at the canteen is cooked using solar heat. Periodic visits are made to the homes of employees to teach them about energy conservation. No worker switches on a tubelight or a fan when not required. Every distinguished visitor to the unit plants a tree, making it a garden.

Alternating between lamp posts are solar lanterns on the premises. Even vehicles that do not possess a current emission certificate are not allowed to enter the factory. The ‘green culture’ has spread fast even in the TTK’s Puducherry and Pallavaram (Chennai) units, says Mr. Muthukumar.

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