|
}}
'''Solar Alternatives and Associated Programmes''' (SAAP) is a nonprofit organization in the [[India|Indian]] state of [[Bihar]] that produces solar devices, to save trees and to provide a dependable energy supply. Founded in 1996 by [[Jesuit]] Fr. M.M. Mathew, SAAP uses the “solar bridge” technology developed in [[Germany]] by [[Wolfgang Scheffler (inventor)|Wolfgang Scheffler]]. SAAP has filled orders for various applications of this technology in eighteen states across India.<ref>[{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/bringing-sunshine-to-their-lives/story-yeCTot3FlJmQQzBgz2jRtO.html|title=Bringing ''Hindustansunshine Times''.to Accessedtheir 16 July 2016.]lives|last=|first=|date=2009-11-29|newspaper=|access-date=2017-02-21|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|work=|language=en|via=}}</ref>
==Beginnings and purpose==
Fr. M.M. Mathew, [[Jesuits|S.J.]], developed an interest in solar energy while working with the student forum on the environment [[Tarumitra]] ("Friends of Trees").<ref>[{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Sunshine+man/1/78206.html|title=Sunshine ''India Today''. Accessed 16 July 2016.]man|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> He went on to [[Gujarat]] in early 1996 to study renewable energy under [[Wolfgang Scheffler (inventor)|Wolfgang Scheffler]], the inventor of the solar concentrated Scheffler community cooker. Mathew then, with the support of the Patna Jesuits, founded a solar manufacturing unit at St. Mary's church compound in [[Patna]]. The [[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources]] (MNES) approved this venture for use countrywide, and engineers from [[Germany]] and [[Switzerland]] assisted.<ref name=tribune/>
A vocational training program affiliated with the [[National Institute of Open Schooling]] was also set up.<ref name="wikia">[{{Cite news|url=http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Solar_Alternatives_and_Associated_Programmes|title=Solar Wikia.Alternatives Accessedand 16Associated JulyProgrammes|newspaper=Solar 2016.]Cooking|access-date=2017-02-21|language=en}}</ref> Among its initiatives the school trains around 15 students a year free of cost, half from the USA and UK, in utilising solar energy. It also provides local peoples consutation and advice at no charge.<ref>[{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120315/jsp/bihar/story_15249275.jsp#.V4lj4vkrIrg|title=Church ''Indiapreaches Telegraph''.solar Accessedpower 16mantra|newspaper=The July 2016.]Telegraph|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref>
In 2014 SAAP hosted a group of students from the [[University of Dayton]] in the USA who focused on solar panels that ran refrigerators in clinics in rural areas, where loss of power causes vaccines to be ruined by the heat.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://www.udayton.edu/engineering/ethos/student-experiences/patna.php|title=Patna, India : University of Dayton., Accessed 16 July 2016Ohio|website=www.]udayton.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> These strudents from [[Dayton]] took what they learned back to the [[United States|States]] and produced a solar-powered refrigerator that won the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] 2016 award for the best sustainable engineering design by a student team.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://news.asce.org/dayton-students-solar-refrigerator-breakthrough-earns-asce-sustainability-award/|title=Dayton AmericanStudents’ SocietySolar ofRefrigerator CivilBreakthrough EngineersEarns award.ASCE AccessedSustainability 16Award July{{!}} 2016ASCE News|website=news.]asce.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref>
==Products==
The range of products produced by SAAP, mainly with Scheffler reflectors, include solar electricity, cookers, hot water, steam for turbines, and refrigerators. "Solar Mathew", as he is popularly known,<ref name=green/> also produces at his training and production facility heat storage devices and multipurpose windmills. SAAP has installed four solar tunnel dryers in the North-East for various local self-help groups to preserve and export chillies and ginger throughout the year. The research and development wing of SAAP has developed a prototype solar-powered cycle rickshaw.<ref name="tribune">[{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060226/society.htm ''India|title=The Tribune''., AccessedChandigarh, 16India July- 2016Education Tribune|website=www.]tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref><ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://solarwala.blogspot.com/2011/06/some-pictures.html|title=solarwala: Photosdiffrent ofsolar SAAP's work. Accessed 16 July 2016.]equipments|last=Mathukutty|date=2011-06-25|website=solarwala|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> SAAP has also developed a solar crematorium which saves on trees and is a cheaper option for the poor.<ref>[{{Cite news|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/jesuit-priest-planning-to-set-up-solar-crematorium-in-patna_100284697.html|title=Jesuit ''Thaindian''.priest Accessedplanning 16to Julyset 2016.]up solar crematorium in Patna|newspaper=Thaindian News|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> For much of this SAAP is the sole fabricator in Bihar state.<ref name="bihar">[{{Cite web|url=http://www.bihartalk.com/Solar-Alternatives-Associated-Programmes-500.html|title=Solar ''BiharTalk''.Alternatives Accessedand 16Associated JulyProgrammes 2016(SAAP), Patna|website=www.]bihartalk.com|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref>
Tripolia Social Service Hospital, a private charitable hospital in Patna, is one institution that has been totally outfitted by SAAP solar technology, to sterilise medical equipment, sanitise the hospital’s laundry, heat water for baths and medicines, light outdoor pathways at night, and power a residential building and office. The solar dishes track the movement of the sun.<ref name=green/>
|
