Solar Engery in Agriculture Sector

This energy source is widely distributed and abundantly available in the country. This was stated by speakers at an International Seminar on "Prospects, Development & Utilization of Alternate Energy in Pakistan" organized by Pakistan Society of Agricultural Engineers in collaboration with Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) at New Senate Hall here on Saturday.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan being in the Sunny Belt is lucky to have long sunshine hours coupled with high insolation levels and is ideally located to take advantage of solar energy technologies.

Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor UAF Presided over the Seminar and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abbas Chaudhary, Vice Chancellor UET Texilla was Chief Guest on this occasion.

 Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, MPA, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhary, Member Parliament New Zealand, Khalid Javed Ranjha, Additional Secretary Energy Punjab, Shehzada Khurram from Clean Alternative Energy (CAE) ex-Livestock Minister, Mumtaz Khan, PAEC Representative Dr. Nawaz Akhtar, Dean Faculty of Agri. Engineering UAF, Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Dr. Muhammad Ghaffar Dogar, Mushtaq Ahmad Gill and Dr. Allah Bukhsh spoke on the occasion.   Scientists from Switzerland, Mr. Anton Joseph, Scientist from Italy, Mr. Ing Fausto Distante made presentation.

The scientists said that the main global irradiation falling on horizontal surface is about 200-250 watt per m2 per day. They said that this amounts to about 1500-3000 sun shine hours and 1.9 - 2.3 Mwh per m2 per year.

 The speakers said Pakistan could make use of this freely available and widely distributed solar energy for improving the socio-economic conditions of the people living in remote areas and to reduce the poverty level.    Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that there was nexus between agriculture, energy and water so that scientists have to focus their attention to maintain this momentum.

He revealed that a centre for International Standard Bio-Gas Energy would be established at UAF Campus with the help of Punjab Government.

He was of the view that a Solar Panel Manufacturing plant as well as 3.8 Megawatt Solar Power Generation Plant would be established at the university campus which would provide affordable Solar Panel to the consumers.

UET Texilla Vice Chancellor, Abbas Chaudhary said that Technical Universities can play significant role in order to provide solution to the Energy Crises being faced by the Country.

Dr. Rae Niaz said that a state of the Art Bio-Gas Plant had been established with collaborative solutions to the farming community. Rana Muhammad Afzal said that Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif utilizing all resources to generate energy through hydel, Coal, Bio-Gas and Solar Resources in the Province.

Khalid Javed Ranjha said the Punjab Government was going to set up Mega Project on Tonsa Barrage for generating 120 Mega Watt Power.

Mumtaz Khan Manhais stressed the need for small Solar Units for farming community at subsidized packages at village level.

Shehzada Khurram said that his company would establish ever First Solar Energy Technology Development Plant at Faisalabad in which Solar Panels and other machinery would be manufactured at Local Level.

Mushtaq Ahmad Gill said that "We have to switch over our traditional power generation system to renewable energy mechanism."

Source of Article: http://www.brecorder.com/