The world’s first solar bicycles that run on solar energy: Gujarat
The place that started the White Revolution in India is now using solar power to create a new kind of bicycle. These solar-powered bicycles, which might be the first of their kind in the world, are about to be launched from Anand, also known as Milk City. People who like to exercise can pedal these bikes, and others can use them like any electric vehicle.
Baroda Electric Meters Ltd (BEM), a company in Anand known for making energy meters for homes in Gujarat, made these bicycles.
A group of electrical engineering students from Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya (BVM) in Vallabh Vidhyanagar started a project to make a solar-powered bicycle. They called it the ‘Worldwide First Solar Bicycle Rollout – Disruptive Innovation in Electric Mobility’. In March, this project won an award from the India Smart Grid Forum in New Delhi. This group includes government people, environmental experts, and others.
Many people have tried to make solar bicycles before, but this one is special because it’s the first one that could really be sold to people, according to the India Smart Grid Forum. Four engineering students, Meet Mehta, Hitarth Solanki, Mustafa Munshi, and Rushi Shah, created the first model of this bicycle two years ago. They did this with the help of Dr. Vithal Kamat, who is in charge of BEM Ltd in Vitthal Udyognagar.
“We indigenously developed technologies like the solar maximum power point tracking charge controller and solar panel mounting suspension to convert a normal bicycle into solar powered. Both these technologies have been patented,”
-said, Dr. Vithal Kamat
The 180Wh battery of the solar bicycle can be fully charged in just 4-5 hours on a typical sunny day thanks to the microcontroller-based battery charge controller installed in it. Dr. Kamat, a Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya (BVM) alumnus, said of the device.
When the bicycle falls while moving or stationary, the innovative “loosely suspended” solar panel installation keeps the glass from breaking or sustaining damage.
“Solar bicycles are the only true net zero vehicles as even electric vehicles (EVs) that are usually charged at night when electric generation is largely fossil-fuel based,”
–Dr. Vithal Kamat
The bikes, which are about 30kg, can hold a person who weighs up to 100kg.
You can completely replace the parts of the solar bike for less than 5,500 Indian Rupees.
BEM is talking with the local and national governments to make rules that will help lower the bike’s price with subsidies.
The solar bike uses less power (12 to 40 volts) compared to other electric vehicles. Also, electric bikes need a larger battery because they charge once, but the solar bike works well with a smaller 5Ah (ampere hour) battery.