Udupi: Solar ovens to beat LPG cylinder cap

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 06 Mar 2013 (TOI): Worried on cap on subsidized LPG cylinders? SitaramHegde, 63, a retired science teacher hailing from Shantinagar in Manipal, has a green solution for your problems.

 

A green crusader, Hegde manufactures solar-ovens-cum-cookers using suitcases and mirrors available in scrap shops for just Rs 3,000.

 

The green oven has a mirror and glass fixed in a suitcase. The glass absorbs the heat generated inside the suitcase. The instrument also has a thermocol base inside the suitcase frame. The design of the instruments is such that no shade falls on the black painted vessels while cooking. "I have used black vessels as the colour helps the vessels absorbs heat at a rapid space. The mirror helps the sun light to fall on the vessels. I have used the green house gas to good effect and it just takes 90 minutes to cook white rice and 2.5 hours for boiled rice," said Hegde.

 

He has sold over 1,000 such ovens so far. Apart from solar ovens, he also manufactures Astra (Alternative Science Technology for Rural Areas) ovens. A specially-designed Astra oven can minimize the use of firewood to a great extent. He has sold over 2000 Astra ovens.

 

Hegde, who has travelled extensively to countries such as Holland and Nepal to attend conferences on eco-friendly products, told that he has been receiving more orders for solar ovens. "Six employees are recruited to manufacture these ovens at my home in Manipal," he added.

 

"We need to create more awareness about solar energy and its use. Countries like India, Sri Lanka and Africa are blessed with solar energy unlike European countries. We should make good use of it," he said.

 

Hegde has also authored a book in Kannada ’Saura Vidyutthu’ about solar energy.