Exclusive | SolarMills are most valued integration of wind and solar energy, the technology is future of green energy: Mr. Venkat Kumar Tangirala, MD, WindStream Energy Technologies

The Mumbai International Airport, in its quest to reduce carbon footprints and to explore the possibility of utilizing wind energy, introduced the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and sold PV hybrid (solar mill). As quoted by Hindustan Times, a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) spokesperson claimed that this initiative undertaken by the airport aims to reduce dependence on conventional electricity, which propels its journey towards ‘net-zero’ emission. 

Windstream Energy Technologies India Pvt Ltd has developed this first-of-its-kind, fully integrated, hybrid renewable energy product which harnesses solar and wind energy combined to generate electricity. In a candid chat with Mr. Venkat Kumar Tangirala, Managing Director, WindStream Energy Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., The Quotes discussed wide range of topics including related to SolarMills.  

SolarMills are a unique option as an adaptable technology to produce green energy. Kindly shed some light on what sets SolarMills apart from any other product in the market including its benefits to the common public.

Windstream Hybrid SolarMill, the globally patented, only Hybrid Renewable Energy Generation System in the same footprint, is the most value engineered technology integration.

With the large bandwidth of advantages ranging from being a simple construction, scalable, modular, environmentally sustainable off-grid or on-grid operations feasible, more energy density per square feet generating system at the lowest cut-in and max cut-out wind speeds compared to any of the other renewable energy generating systems such as solar, biomass, and hydro. Adaptability and acceptability of the technology depend upon varied applications that the system can be used in economical cost of operation, ease of scalability and return on investment.

Being a small wind vertical turbine system generating green energy in the same footprint, it occupies 1m x 1m x 11/2 m space, which facilitates easy installation on the roof tops on houses in remote areas where there is no power facility as this is an excellent distributed energy generating system that can power the needs of the simple house to complex requirements like telecom towers, educational institutes and others facilities, as well.

With 24 hours power generation capability out of the wind source, there is prolonged storage of power in the battery due to the continuous power generation, facilitating smooth battery charging and discharging, thus increasing the life of the battery and thereby the reduced costs through solar generation is for a limited period. Based on the wind velocities, the system efficiency and output pattern can be designed for a designated Site.

The system is based on the installed generation capacity; the estimated Return on Investment will be as low as 21/2 years to a maximum of seven years, while the power generated during the balance of the years of the life of the system will be at no cost except for the repairs and maintenance or any such accidental or incidental expenses.

Windmills are generally used by big corporates and require enormous land, technology and financial expenditure. So how is SolarMills (vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and sold PV hybrid (solar mill) emerging as a feasible option for the common man in the Country?

Observing the trends in the chargeable cost per unit of electricity power consumed, which has metamorphosed into dynamic pricing of units, both for domestic and industry, with the thermal generation being discouraged for negatively impacting the environment due to excess release of carbon emissions and more importantly, fossil fuels usage being discouraged with the assumption that non-renewable fuels will not last long.

World Global Forums such as Paris Agreement and others such as enforcing the countries to achieve Net Carbon Zero by 2050. It is becoming imperative that dependency on renewable power shall be predominant. Installing low wind systems would entail individual customers an affordable power source as it can be installed on surfaces requiring small areas and can be customized to the individual home requirement with high-density power generation.

With the return-on-investment period being short (2 1/2 years to 7 Years, depending upon the Capacity installed), with low maintenance, the economies of scale are higher. The costs of power generation will be the lowest if we factor in the number of years that the free power generation would be available over the life cycle of the system. In view of the above, the Hybrid Solar System would be the best option for the common man in the Country as Solar requires larger spaces and irradiation for smaller periods; the power

discharge from the battery reduces the life of the battery, adding to high maintenance costs while horizontal wind system installation is never a possibility for a common man. The Hybrid Wind SolarMill System is independent of any grid availability and can be installed for individual usage; this system is an easy source of power generation, even in remote locations such as hilly areas, forests or any such environments with adequate low wind velocities.

SolarMills are yet to become popular in the market despite such uniqueness. So, what’s coming its way? And if you could explain the responses from the Stakeholders in the market and Corporates which have shown interest in acquiring the services of the Product?

SolarMill Hybrid Renewable Power Generating System has been in use globally with a footprint across 30 plus countries for the last decade and a half, but in India, it has been actively in operation for the last 5 years, but unprecedented two years of disruption due to Covid pandemic delayed the process of making the product available to every segment across the country.

Of the many reasons for the delayed penetration, one major reason is the certification process that took nearly three plus years for the Government of India to approve after extensive studies by its statutory authority, NIWE. The other reason is the government’s delay in the Wind Power Generation policy. With the objective of having a good population of installations across the geographical extent of the country, we have approached defense industry, Rural Development Ministry, National Fisheries Department, education institutions, ISRO and recently telecom industry.

We are proud to inform that we have received encouraging patronization from the departments with huge potential for expansion due to the flexible application feasibility that the system is enabled with. We have been powering the needs of all these organizations and institutions at remote locations as they have the best experience of having the un disturbed distributed, dependable energy.

Kindly explain the procedure to procure SolarMills for a common man. What is the price at which they can purchase it?

The Process for the Purchase of the System for a common man is structured through the Distribution Network, and the common man can also visit our website and contact the Company directly for the requirement or write to (sales@windstream.tech) post, which my team will be contacted to help them procure and support Installation.

We have set procedures that will be explained to the prospective buyer based on the location with its wind and Solar, and the current consumption and then the price will be offered for the Product. The Price range, however, for the base model without the Installation costs, transportation and others will be around two Lakhs per KW.