“Forest of the sun”

The Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) in partnership with Tata Capital Financial Services Limited launched Surya Aranya, a first-of-its-kind solar paneled forest at the Think Techno Campus in Thana on January 28, 2014. Surya Aranya, which in Sanskrit means "forest of the sun,” is a revolutionary outdoor solar powered lighting installation which provides renewable energy to help save the country’s rapidly diminishing eco-systems, mentions a press release sent via email by Dr Rashneh N. Pardiwala, founder and director of CERE. It has been a labor of love which took almost three years from idea to fruition, she shared with Parsiana.

Surya Aranya generates energy to power garden and security lights

Combining art and functionality, the 12x16-foot installation has been designed as a cluster composition of six trees embedded with 14 solar panels to produce 750 watts of energy which self-illuminate the installation and power 28 surrounding garden lights from dusk to dawn. Fully automated through light sensors, the entire system is synchronized with the main grid through a master control panel to accommodate any fluctuations in solar power during the monsoon. Inspired by the Indian almond tree, the all-weather fiberglass installation has filigreed leaves in green, orange and red. Office-goers can relax in the recreational space on molded sand textured rocks made of polyethylene. Each trunk bears icons of plants and animals that depict highly endangered or threatened species due to destruction of the habitat caused by conventional energy, states the press release.
With growing demand and falling supply the energy crisis is escalating in India. Renewable energy being the only viable solution, the solar forest installation is a metaphoric forest toward that end and reflects a wide array of diversities. "Our beautiful blue planet is home to millions and millions of species. We humans must learn to share habitats and precious natural resources with all other living beings. It is time to re-think our consumption patterns that are beyond the carrying capacity of this lone planet. We need to change… We need to live more sustainable lives… We need to plan for future generations,” notes the CERE press release.
Described as "a renewable nano power plant, a sculpture, an outdoor light solution, a symbol of nature and a communicator for conservation,” Surya Aranya is the result of the collective efforts of Tatas, a leading corporate house, CERE, an environmental NGO (nongovernmental organization), an experienced design firm, Design Directions Private Limited, an innovative solar power provider, Autonic Energy Systems Private Limited and a builder, the Lodha Group, the press release reveals. CERE hopes that Surya Aranya will inspire more businesses to adopt a similar approach to reduce dependency on natural resources and drive sustainable development.