El-Sol Energy Systems is focused on LED-based interior and exterior lighting systems

Intensive R&D and commercial developments in recent years have found that LED (light emitting diode) based designs are highly efficient and maintenance free as compared to conventional CFLs or tube lights. LED products in the market now include solar based lanterns, street and home lighting systems. Solar street and home lighting systems are technologically advanced and virtually zero maintenance systems. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Electronics; and Regional Testing Laboratory, Kolkata, have approved these products and deigns as among the best in quality and durability, with the use of high end LEDs, maintenance free batteries, highly efficient panels with CIGS technology and efficient charge controllers. Cost incurred as compared to conventional CFL based or tube light based lighting has been reduced to a great extent. El-Sol Energy Systems has successfully completed more than 1200 LED-based projects in Gujarat and across India.

Looking at the current energy scenario in Gujarat, initial investment on solar being seems costly. The new 230V LED designs launched successfully in the market have evoked positive LED, but the major concern remains on lack of proper knowledge on LED as light source, its advantage and benefits. With an aggressive push on the benefits of LEDs, the market has gradually started to accept LED as a major light source for the coming years.

LED is not just the next generation lighting system, but also one with longer life, high density lighting and zero hazardous substances. LED is free from substances like mercury and lead. El-Sol's LED range includes electric based interior decorative lights, down lights, strip lights, RGBs and even tube lights based on LED. The basic advantage of using LEDs as a light source is it can save up to 80% of electricity and give an ROI less in less than 2 year. 

Other benefits are:

• Drastic reduction in power consumption - highest efficacy (lumens/W) amongst all types of light sources
• Environment friendly because of the absence of mercury as compared to CFLs, tube lights, etc., and hence easy disposable
• High durability of 60,000 hours requiring virtually no replacement
• High colour temperature of light (purer form of light)
• Less emission of heat leading to lesser load on air conditioners and hence further power savings, and
• Huge Carbon Credits can be availed for large projects.

Individual Grid Connection System for Households

El-Sol Energy Systems is also actively lobbying for the concept for individual Grid Connections System for households, which is possible only with technical assistance from the government.

If the government gives approval for an individual grid connection system for each home and give depreciation benefits on this grid system, it can become commercially viable. Currently the government is buying energy from private players by paying a hefty amount. Here in this scenario an individual has to invest some amount on purchasing Solar Energy Equipment and the rest provided by the government as subsidy. In this model, an individual gets the benefit of depreciation on the amount what he has invested on solar and government expenses on buying energy from private players will be reduced to an extent. The government can also charge a nominal amount from customers for the energy they have consumed.

At the same time it also actively encourage a switch from conventional mercury or sodium vapour street lights to the highly durable and non hazardous LED lighting systems. This can save major expenses spent on maintaining conventional streetlights. This model can only be successful it the government aggressively promotes solar energy by reducing duties, taxes and other tariffs of solar energy equipment and make the model viable.

Diffusion-based Evaporation System for Effluents

Mins Mech and Aquasol, the other divisions of the company offer all kinds of water management and solutions. These include sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment plants, industrial water heaters and the most innovative "Air Diffuser Zero Discharge System."

After carefully studying the 'Zero Discharge' problems of textile and other industries and the limitations of the conventional technologies like, reverse osmosis, incineration, solar evaporation; and extensive field surveys, Mins Mech has successfully developed a technique which instantly converts liquid into vapour without heat input employing the principle of diffusion of water from the pretreated effluent into the atmosphere through large quantity of compressed air and a suitable mechanism to ensure large interfacial area between air and water.

On the basis of the above basic principle, the company has designed and developed a small laboratory prototype, on which extensive trials using different types of industrial effluents were scientifically conducted. Results of the initial lab trials were encouraging. Therefore, the design was scaled up to a pilot plant level as well as at industrial plant/commercial level and a zero discharge plant designed and erected at the company's own premises and for conducting extensive trials on various types of effluents. The results of these trials, which lasted for more than two years, were highly encouraging. EL-Sol and Mins Mech are companies established in 2004 by Mr Minip Patel, a visionary entrepreneur.

El Sol Energy Systems aims to spread awareness and cause a green energy revolution in Gujarat through renewable sources of energy while a sister concern, Aquasol (a complete water management and solar solution provider company) founded by a young, dynamic and influential entrepreneur, Ms Aneri Parikh, business associate of Mr Patel in El-sol energy systems and Mins Mech Products, currently focuses on all major environmental issues like energy saving, treatment of water for re-use and disposal of waste water, meeting stringent zero discharge norms in industries, etc., at domestic, commercial and industrial level keeping in view the scarcity of natural resources and fossil fuel.

Together, these companies are completely focusing on environment and trying to make Gujarat a role model for promoting Green Energy, which could be replicated in other states as well.

(El-Sol Energy Systems, Ahmedabad. Mobile: 095588-24682. Fax: 91-079-26562411. Email: info@elsolenergysystems.com,elsolenergy@hotmail .com)