Ecosense installed an integrated Solar PV, Solar Thermal, and Wind Energy Laboratory at MANIT Bhopal, enabling hands-on training and applied research in renewable energy systems through real-world experimentation.
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal has strengthened its renewable energy education and research infrastructure with the installation of an integrated Solar PV, Solar Thermal, and Wind Energy Laboratory. Designed to support hands-on learning and experimental research, the facility brings together multiple renewable energy technologies within a single academic environment. The installation reflects MANIT Bhopal’s focus on preparing engineering students for the rapidly evolving clean energy sector through practical exposure and system-level understanding.
The laboratory moves beyond conventional classroom-based instruction by allowing students to interact directly with real renewable energy systems. By observing actual performance behaviour under varying conditions, learners gain insights that cannot be fully captured through simulations or theoretical models alone. This approach aligns with modern engineering education, where experiential learning plays a critical role in skill development.
The installation has been designed as a multi-technology renewable energy laboratory, supporting academic teaching, laboratory experimentation, and applied research. By integrating solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, and wind energy platforms in a single lab environment, MANIT Bhopal enables comparative and system-level understanding of renewable energy technologies.
The lab is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate programs and supports project-based learning, experimental validation, and faculty-led research in sustainable energy systems.
Installed Equipment Overview
The Renewable Energy Lab at MANIT Bhopal includes the following major systems:
Each system is designed to support structured experiments while remaining flexible for advanced research and performance studies.
The ETC Characterisation System allows detailed performance analysis of evacuated tube solar collectors. Students can study thermal efficiency, heat gain, and system losses under varying operating conditions such as temperature, flow rate, and solar irradiance. This enables a practical understanding of solar thermal behaviour beyond ideal theoretical assumptions.
The Solar Concentrator Training System introduces the principles of concentrated solar thermal energy. It allows learners to study solar radiation concentration, temperature rise, and thermal efficiency, offering exposure to concepts relevant to high-temperature solar applications and industrial process heat systems.
Solar PV Training and Research System forms the core photovoltaic platform of the lab. It enables experimentation on PV module characteristics, system performance, and power output behaviour under changing environmental conditions. Students can analyse I–V and P–V characteristics, evaluate efficiency, and study real-world operating behaviour of photovoltaic systems. The platform supports both instructional experiments and advanced research, making it suitable for academic projects and renewable energy performance studies.
Wind Energy Training System provides hands-on exposure to wind power generation principles. Students can study wind turbine operation, power generation characteristics, and the relationship between wind speed and electrical output. This system helps learners understand aerodynamic behaviour, operational limits, and variability associated with wind energy systems, which is critical for wind resource assessment and renewable energy planning.
Renewable energy systems behave differently in real-world conditions compared to theoretical models. This lab enables students to directly observe system behaviour, performance variations, and operational constraints. Such hands-on exposure improves conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and industry readiness.
Graduates trained in this environment gain practical competence in renewable energy technologies, preparing them for careers in system design, testing, commissioning, and research.
The installation of the Solar PV, Solar Thermal, and Wind Energy Lab at MANIT Bhopal represents a significant step toward strengthening experiential renewable energy education. By providing access to multiple clean energy technologies within a single laboratory, the facility supports hands-on learning, academic excellence, and applied research in sustainable energy systems.
