South Gujarat-based Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Pvt Ltd has developed world's first and largest solar air conditioning (AC) system

After installing world's largest solar steam cooking systems at Shri Saibaba Sansthan at Shirdi and creating solar crematorium, South Gujarat-based Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Pvt Ltd has developed world's first and largest solar air conditioning (AC) system. The 100 tonne AC has already been installed and soon it will be made operational.

"The solar AC developed by the company has been installed at Muni Ashram in Goraj area of Vadodara district. Soon, it will be inaugurated", Dharmendra Gor, associate director, Gadhia Solar Energy said on the sidelines of a seminar on "Emerging Green Business Opportunities-Need for Sustainable Growth" organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today in Ahmedabad.

The company has also firmed up its plans to develop solar ACs bigger than 100 tonnes. After this, 800 tonne solar AC is on the offing. Gadhia Solar is also developing a 1,800 tonnes solar AC for IBM's premise in Chennai.

"The cost of 100 tonne solar AC is Rs. 2.5 crore, while in case of 800 tonne it is Rs. 20 crore. However, the pay-back period is maximum three years", he added.

Apart from solar steam cooking system at Shirdi and solar crematorium, some of the interesting solar energy project of the company include installation of the highest solar system for Indian Army in Leh, Ladakh, solar steam system system at Brahma Kumari in Mount Abu, Rajasthan and creation of smokefree village by using solar cooking system. "These projects were first of their kinds in the world", he claimed.

Gadhia Solar's clients include names such as IBM, Reliance Industries, Defence-DRDO, Delhi, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd (GACL), Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd, Jain Irrigation Systems and Tapi Food Products Ltd.