Research and Development
Since the mid 1990's, Brahma Kumaris and WRST have built / installed a variety of solar energy systems.
1995 - two experimental eco-buildings were constructed at Brahma Kumaris' Gyan Sarovar, Mt. Abu using soil blocks. Electricity powered by a R&D PV/Wind hybrid system sponsored by German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ).
1996 - a modular solar steam cooking system of 24 parabolic Scheffler dishes (7.5m² each), capable of generating steam for 2,000 meals per day was installed at Gyan Sarovar, Mt. Abu.
1997 - a 50,000 Ltrs/Day Solar Hot water System was installed at Gyan Sarovar, Mt. Abu.
1999 - a solar-steam cooking system, based on 84 Scheffler dishes (9,5 m²) for 35,000 meals a day, was installed at the Brahma Kumaris' Shantivan Campus, Abu Road.
1999 - 60 BK centers throughout India were equipped with a 5 KW solar PV system, funded by World Bank. 2000 - 3 x 50 KW solar PV power plants with battery backup were installed at Pandav Bhawan, Mt. Abu. 2002 - a 50 KW solar steam cooking system was installed at Brahma Kumaris, Yellapur, Karnataka.
2002 - a solar steam cooking system with an output of 800 kg of steam daily (5000 meals per day) was installed at Mt. Abu headquarters.
2003 - a solar steam generation system (1000 kg steam per day) for cooking, laundry and sterilization was installed at Global Hospital and Research Centre at Mt. Abu, funded by MNRE.
2006 - a 200 KW stand alone solar power plant was installed in the Brahma Kumaris' Om Shanti Complex near Delhi.
2007 - a 16 m² prototype dish was successfully designed and tested at Shantivan with funding from MNRE.
2011 - a 200 KW PV power plant with battery backup was installed at Om Shanti Retreat Centre, Gurgaon, Harayana.
2011 - the construction of India One solar thermal power plant (1 MW) with storage, started at Shantivan, Abu Road.
2012 - a 200 KW stand alone solar power plant was installed in the Brahma Kumaris' Om Shanti Complex near Delhi.
2014 - 300 x PV stand alone system (1-6 KW) with batteries were installed at various Brahma Kumaris centers in India.
2017 – Completion of "India-One" Solar Thermal Power Plant at Abu Road, Rajasthan.
In addition more than 20,000 solar lanterns, 500 home light systems and 400 solar cooking boxes have been distributed so far. Over the years the Brahma Kumaris has organised various conferences, workshops and trainings on awareness, environment and solar technologies.
