IEEE Spectrum Technology Award

Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has won the 2017 IEEE Spectrum Technology in the Service of Society Award for its solar-direct current (DC) inverter system.

The system, developed using micro grid technology, converts in-home power distribution from 230V Analog Current to 48V DC to directly power appliances and devices.

The system is also equipped to tap rooftop solar power, making it the most energy efficient solution for homes and offices.

It was developed by Centre for Decentralised Power Systems at IIT-M.

The system consists of DC solar generation, DC power-line, DC appliances and battery.

Currently, the system has been deployed in 4,000 off-grid homes in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and is being deployed in around 7,200 homes in Assam.

The inverter system has been installed in villages in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.