Shimla based Himalayan Research Group has bagged state innovation award for developing cost-effective mountain solar water heating system (solar hamam), which drastically reduces fuel wood requirement and makes clean energy available to rural households in harsh freezing conditions.

The mountain solar water heating system has been developed by HRG under Core Support Programme of department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The group has so far installed solar hamams in 663 households of Himachal and J&K (Zanskar Valley, Ladakh) with support from different national and international agencies and is in the process of installing 350 systems in Shimla, Chamba, Sirmour districts of the HP.

HRG is an NGO, established in 1997 by likeminded professionals from different scientific streams. It is specializes in developing technology to enhance livelihoods in remote and difficult mountain areas.

It is one of the few organizations supported under prestigious Core Support Programme of the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development Division (SEED) of the Department of Science and Technology (Govt. of India) since 2005.

“The innovation award is in recognition of the innovative nature of our approach to providing need based technology solution to the rural communities in difficult mountain areas,” said HRG director Dr Lal Singh.

He will receive the award from Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur on state level Independence Day function in Kangra district, with other team members.

“We train artisans (carpenters) in our center at village Dhangiara, in Chachiot Tehsil, district Mandi and in different villages through training camps to expand this technology into new areas in HP, adjoining state of J&K and other Himalayan states,” Dr Singh said.

The mountain solar water heating system is designed to suit specific climate and community conditions in the mountain areas of the Indian Himalayan region.

The innovative system is fabricated with local material by village artisans to make it cheaper and it involves minimal expenditure on installation and maintenance. Solar water heating system coil holds 18 liters of water which is heated to 70-80oC within 30-45 minute of solar illumination. A 100-120 lpd (liters per day) solar water heating system is sufficient for a family of five.

Availability of hot water under harsh cold conditions is necessary to address issues of its availability round the year at the household level, to minimize collection of fuel wood and dung.

The simple and affordable technology of water heating is quite effective to induce clean process of energy needs and addresses the health related issues in mountain areas.