Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Aug 9: Shreesha Shetty, a student of first PU science-PCME stream of R N Shetty Pre-university College of the town and son of Shreedhar Shetty and Shyamala Shetty couple, residents of Vandse has invented an eco-friendly bicycle that runs on solar power and electricity. Shreesha, who is always interested in inventing something new in science, has successfully installed the solar panel and battery to the bicycle.

Shreesha has used his own bicycle for this experiment. He has installed solar panel on the back of the bicycle using two batteries of 12V and 9 AMp. The battery gets charged from the solar panel. There is provision to charge the batteries from electricity also. So the batteries can be either charged by solar or from the residential electricity connection.

Motor, controller and throttle of 24 volt and 250 watt is used for the bicycle. If the batteries are fully charged the bicycle can run for 50 km. It runs at a speed of 30 km/hr. If the charge gets over, it can be run through peddling. There is key set just like a motorbike in this bicycle. So the motor cannot be put on without the key. A battery box is made keeping in view of the safety of the batteries.

Any old bicycle can be fixed with this system. A stand has to be made in a welding shop to fix the solar panel and the batteries. The total cost including the batteries, solar panel and motor controller will be Rs 10,000. The battery can be charged in any motor garage.

In addition to scientific invention, Shreesha Shetty is an achiever in the cultural field also. He is recognized for his talent in fancy dress and mono-acting. Shreesha has also featured in the Kannada movie 'Gandhada Kudi' made by Ramesh Bhat that was released last year.