Engineers develop solar concentrator that can run small engine

Rajkot, Feb 6 (PTI) A local entrepreneur along with aFrench engineer has developed a solar concentrator which theyclaimed would be useful to reduce consumption of conventionalfuels.

Talking to media persons here, Veljibhai Desai, himselfan engineer and an entrepreneur and a French engineer EerikWissenz said they have developed solar concentrator ''solarfire P32'' which by making use of flat mirror concentrates thesun''s ray on a boiler to produce steam that can run a smallengine for purifying water or boil milk or get water fromwell.

Eerik Wissenz who was invited by Desai to design theconcentrator said their goal was to develop a system thatwould minimise use of electricity, diesel and petrolconsumption in the agriculture sector.

The concentrator which will need to be operated manuallywould cost about Rs 3 lakh. The duo has no plans to get apatent for the product.