Innovation: Dual‑Photodiode Pyranometer System for Efficient Solar Measurement, developed by Assistant Professor Kanishka Rawat (mentor) and physics students Bhuwan Dawar and Mariya Antu at Chandigarh University.
Cost: Prototype estimated at Rs 5,000‑7,000, compared with conventional pyranometers that cost several lakhs of rupees.
Technical details: Uses two photodiodes, an operational amplifier, Arduino‑based microcontroller, LCD display; AI‑integrated anomaly detection identifies shading or sensor‑position errors.
Patent: Patent application filed with the Indian Patent Office, securing intellectual property protection.
Applications: Solar energy generation and panel performance monitoring, precision agriculture, greenhouse climate control, meteorology, weather forecasting, climate studies, astronomy, space science, environmental monitoring.
Benefits: Enables affordable solar radiation monitoring for educational laboratories, small renewable projects, farmers, and research institutions; improves water‑use efficiency, energy management, and crop productivity through real‑time sunlight data.
University credentials: Chandigarh University is NAAC A+ graded, QS world‑ranked, autonomous, UGC‑approved, located near Chandigarh, Punjab; offers over 109 UG/PG programmes; awarded “University with Best Placements” by WCRC.
