Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET):

Introduction:
Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) was established by
merging the National Institute of Silicon Technology (NIST) and the Pakistan Council for
Appropriate Technologies (PCAT) on May 8, 2001. It is the prime institution in the country for
coordinating R&D and promotional activities in different renewable energy technologies.
The council has its head office in Islamabad and regional offices in the provisional
capitals Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta and field offices at Abbottabad, Muzafarabad,
Bhalwalpur and Ghokti, It has close interaction and working relationship with NGOs &
Provincial Agriculture & Social Welfares departments, Local Govt & Rural development offices
& other organization working for the socio-economic development of the rural and semi urban
areas of the country.
Objectives:
 To establish facilities, expertise and to do research, to develop suitable technologies,
 To produce materials, devices and applications in the field of renewable energy,
 To determine polices and make short and long term programs,
 To promote renewable technologies in the country through research and development,
 To organize conferences, seminars, workshops for promotion of technologies,
 To establish national and international liaison in the field, and
 To advise and assist the government and relevant industries in the area

Mission Statement:
Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies is committed to research, develop,
promote, disseminate, impart training provide energy services to the people living in remote
areas, and create Renewable Energy culture in the country.
PCRET Vision:
 Strengthening of Linkages with the Private/Public sector and end users to promote
renewable energy in the country, 
 Revamping of Bilateral collaboration with countries like China Germany, Japan etc. for
Technology Transfer, 
 Need based research, development and deployment of RETs vise; Biogas, Micro-hydel,
Solar Thermal, Solar PV, Wind
 To provide energy services at the doorstep of people living in remote and far-flung
areas, 
 Collaboration with provincial and local governments for the promotion, dissemination
and deployment of RE systems, 
 Provision of technical advisory services to stakeholders e.g. industry, potential investors
and end-users,
 Awareness raising for RET promotion through electronic/print media, exhibitions,
seminars and training workshops.
Projects:
 Development of Rural
Areas Through promotion
of Biogas Technology for
promotion of Bio-
fertilizer and Bio-fuel
(inclusive of manpower/
training)
 Electrification of Remote
Coastal villages using
wind energy
 Design Development and
Demonstration of Kaplan
Turbine for Harnessing
the Power of Canals Falls
 Rural Electrification
using Solar Energy
 5. Establishment of
Testing Laboratory for
Photovoltaic (PV) and
Solar Thermal Appliances
and Systems
 Development &
Dissemination of 50
Improved MHP Plants in
NWFP Northern areas
and FATA (Phase-III)
 Community Solar Dryers
for Drying of Dates
 Solar Dryers for
dehydration of Apricot
 Malakand Rural
Development Projects
 Barani Area Development
Project.
 Promotion/Dissemination
of Biogas Plants for
Meeting Energy
Requirements
 Installation of Wind/Solar
Hybrid System
 Development &
Dissemination of Micro-
Hydro Power Plants
 Community Solar Dryer
for Drying Dates

PCRET Products:
  despite
years Bio gasvarious
plans financial constraints, about 2,000 biogas units have so far been installed
successfully whereas work on other 500 units is in progress.
Originally, biogas plants were constructed for cooking purpose only. But in view of the
current energy crises i.e. rise in prices of fossil fuels; increase in electric utility tariff and heavy
load shedding which has severely effected the life of common man and the economy,
possibilities were further work up for utilization of biogas on commercial scale.
2. Photovoltaic:
In Photovoltaic technology PCRET has photovoltaic device fabrication facilities. Six
main labs have been established within PCRET. These Labs are:
 Crystal Growth Lab
 Wafering Lab
 Cell Process Lab
 Test and Measurement Lab
 Lamination Lab
 Solar Testing Lab
 Analysis Lab
The Crystal Growth Lab is equipped with two Czochralski Crystal Puller of Model CG 300 and
CG 6000 from Hamco USA. Silicon Single Crystal ingots of diameter 4” to 6” can be grown in
this Lab. Photograph of the systems is given at Fig(1). The grown ingots are sliced in wafering
Lab which is equipped with ID Saw, Wire Saw, Squarer and Cutter machinery as shown in Fig
(2) to (5).

Fig (1) Fig (2) Fig (3)

Crystal Grower CG 3000 Inner Dia (ID) Saw Machine Wire Saw Machine

Fig (4) Crystal Ingot Cutter Fig (5) Crystal Ingot Squarer
The Silicon cut Wafers are then processed in the cell fabrication lab for making of Solar Cells.
For this purpose etching, polishing, junction, formation, alloying, masking and contact making
are performed in this Lab. Some of the systems/equipments of cell processing Lab are shown in
Fig (6) to (9).

Fig (6) Manual Diffusion Furnace Fig (7) Auto Loader Diffusion Furnace

Fig (8) Conveyer Furnace with Dryer Fig (9) Screen Printer for Masking

In this Lab heat resistive and electron beam high vacuum systems are also available, which can
be used to grow thin films for research study and making of thin films solar cells Fig (10)

Fig (10) High Vacuum Electron Beam Heating Evaporator

 The fabricated solar cells are interconnected in the lamination Lab for PN module
making. Three (03) Laminations are available in the Lamination Lab to produce Photovoltaic
Panels of various dimension and ratings, Fig (11) to (12). Solar cells can be cut to small pieces
using Nd-YAG laser cutter for fabrication of small size solar panels for low power applications.
The facility of Laser cutter exists within Photovoltaic Division Fig (13).

Fig (11) Fig (12) Fig (13)

Lamination Machine Lamination Machine Nd-YAG Laser Cutter
(112 x 50 cm bed) (150x100cm bed)
The cells and PV Panels are tested in Test and Measurement Lab as per International Standards.
The Following facilities exist within this Lab.

 Solar Cell Testing

 Photovoltaic PV Panel Indoor Testing
 Photovoltaic PV Array Outdoor / Field Testing
 PV Panel Environmental Testing
 PV Panel Insulation Testing
 Solar Cell Contact Adhesion Testing
 Inverter Testing
 Battery Testing
 Solar Flat Plate Collector Testing
 Solar Water Heater Testing
Whereas in the Analysis Lab, the spectroscopic analysis of the semiconductor and other
geological materials is done for detection of metallic and non-metallic impurities up to the
level of parts per million (PPM) and parts per billion (PPB) level. The Lab is equipped with
Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph (GC). ICP detects
impurities using options of Atomic Absorption, Atomic Emission and Flameless Techniques
whereas gas chromatograph GC analyses gases using FID and TCD detectors.
3. Micro Hydro Power Plants:
Introduction:
Micro hydro is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produce up to 100 kW of
electricity using the natural flow of water. These installations can provide power to an isolated
home or small community, or are sometimes connected to electric power networks. There are
many of these installations around the world, particularly in developing nations as they can
provide an economical source of energy without the purchase of fuel.[1] Micro hydro systems
complement photovoltaic solar energy systems because in many areas, water flow, and thus
available hydro power, is highest in the winter when solar energy is at a minimum. Micro hydro
is frequently accomplished with a pelton wheel for high head, low flow water supply. The
installation is often just a small dammed pool, at the top of a waterfall, with several hundred feet
of pipe leading to a small generator housing.

PCRET is not only the pioneering agency in introducing the Micro Hydro Power
Technology in Pakistan but is the National Focal Point for the development and dissemination of
renewable energy technologies in Pakistan, especially in the field of development and promotion
of mini / micro hydro power plants in isolated / neglected areas of the country. It has been
demonstrating and disseminating MHP Technology after indigenization, on micro level in the
far-flung, inaccessible and remote hilly areas of the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Gilgit – Baltistan,
FATA and AJK since 1976. Over the past so many years PCRET has achieved sufficient
experience in utilizing the high-head low-discharge perennial water falls for power generation.
The Council has so far successfully installed 538 decentralized MHP plants with
consolidated installed power generation capacity of 8 MW. Out of 538 MHP plans, 152 plants
have been installed through launching various PSDP schemes in the off-grid, far-flung and
remote areas, while 280 MHP plants have been installed in collaboration with individuals /
communities. Whereas 106 plants have been installed in collaboration with various GO’s
NGO’s, VBO’s providing technical assistance and post-installation supervision.
Future Prospects:
In view of the tremendous success of PCRET’s MHP scheme a number of GO’s / NOG’s
are approaching PCRET for provision of technical assistance to launch MHP Program in the
areas where requisite potential exist. The Irrigation Departments Government of Punjab and
Sindh intend to install MHP plants at their canal falls at different locations. 
An experimental pilot project on canal fall has been successfully completed at a site in
Mardan whereas another 200 Kw capacity plant is being installed at Khanpur Dam in
collaboration with a private power generating party, under Public Private Cooperation Scheme
of the Government.
  Moreover, in October 2005 the large earthquake affected area of AJK and Khyber
Pakhtoonkhwa, where basic infrastructure of electricity, road, hospitals, shops and houses etc.
was severely damaged called for immediate rehabilitation. PCRET to shoulder Government
efforts for rehabilitation of mass destructed / devastated earthquake inaccessible areas of AJK
and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa initiated a power project entitled “Provision of Electricity to
Earthquake Effected Areas through Installation of 100 Micro Hydropower Plants” with aim
behind to provide electricity to the needy.
Socio Economic Impacts:
 A gradual change is visible after installation of MHP plants at the affected area. 
i. Less fuel consumption for lighting.
ii. Increase in use of long-range cordless phones for communication.
iii. Every house is equipped with T.V and Dish Satellite receiver. 
iv. Schools / Colleges are equipped with Computer Labs.
v. Micro industry abundance to produce quality furniture and carving panels. 
vi. Cottage industry vise-handy craft, sewing and embroidery on shawl and bedspreads are
flourishing and the public living standard is also improved.
vii. Opportunities of additional income sources enhanced.
4. Wind Power Plants:
Introduction:
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using
wind turbines to make electrical power, windmills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water
pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships.
The principle of wind power: use wind to drive and rotate windmill, then accelerate the speed of
rotation through the growth machine so that drive the generator to get power. According to the
current windmill technology, generating electricity by three meters per second (the breeze
degree) breeze is good to go.
Wind power generation device called a wind turbine. This wind turbine can be divided
into three parts: the wind wheel (including rudder), generator and tower.
Wind turbine is the important components of turning wind energy into mechanical
energy; it consists of two (or more) propeller-shaped impeller. When wind blows the blades,
blades generate power to drive wind wheels turning  
The role of the generator is: pass up-speeded “constant speed” which obtained by wind
turbine to power sector so that it run steadily, then turn mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Tower is the frame of supporting wind wheel, rudder, and the generator.
Block diagram of wind power design as below:
 Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET) has successfully
completed installation of wind turbines under a PSDP Project "Electrification of Remote Coastal
Villages using Wind Energy" by installing 155 micro wind generators, electrifying more than
1600 houses. Under the Project 0.5, 1.0, 3.2, 5.0 6.0 and 10 K.W wind turbines were imported
from China, USA, Spain, Germany and Australia. They have been installed in the coastal belt of
Arabian sea in the provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan. PCRET technical personal has acquired
training in assembling and installation of these wind generators through the courtesy of Peoples
Republic of China. These wind turbines are functioning successfully and supervisory service, in
case of operation and maintenance is provided to the end-users by the PCRET technical staff.
Presently, PCRET intends to acquire expertise in design and fabrication of different
components of wind turbines in the range of 5kw and 10kw power generation capacities.
Technology transfer for this purpose is required to be made from leading countries in wind
energy technology i.e. China, USA and others.
Advantages:
Wind Power Generation has many advantages:
 Wind turbine produce energy without pollution.
 No extra fuel is required for power generation, except wind, thus no fuel cost and no
price risk are involved. 
 Making power supply possible to remote, inaccessible locations, where national grid
expansion is impossible.
 Due to local fabrication, indigenous industry will flourish and people will get
employment opportunities, besides becoming skilled in manufacturing of wind
components.
Achievement of PCRET:
 155 wind-generating units of 0.5 kw to 10 kw power generation capacity have been
installed for the neglected segment of the society.
 About 1600 houses of remote coastal villages in Sindh & Balochistan have been
electrified. 
 More than 400 applications for wind electrification from remote coastal village, are
pending with the PCRET due to successful completion of first phase of the project.
 There is a need for further dissemination of technology, as most of the villages in the
coastal areas, particularly, in Lasbela district of Balochistan, Badin and Thatta district in
Sindh are still deprived of the basic amenities of life including electricity.
The following measures need to the adopted for better and smooth functioning of wind turbines.
 Selection of sites must be need based and on available potential (wind speed) interest,
cooperative aptitude of beneficiary and will. 
 Wind Turbine (stand-alone system) are to be provided to those villages, which are
physically inaccessible and economically feasible for supplying electricity from the
national grid.
 Projects on “Wind Energy” for meeting the country’s energy needs should be
encouraged particularly for electrification of remote coastal villages.
 Local manufacture of wind turbines should be encouraged for economic exploitation of
the wind energy potential available in the country.
 Government should facilitate the local manufacturers of wind turbines by exempting
taxes on import of raw material like permanent magnet, copper wire, polymers etc.
required for local manufacturer of wind turbines. 
5. Solar Thermal:
There are a large number of applications in which solar energy can be utilized directly by
exploiting its heat characteristics. Such technologies are comparatively simple, relatively low
cost and easy to adopt. The applications include off and on grid power generation, cooking,
heating and cooling of buildings, generation of high temperature steam, heating water for
domestic and industrial applications, and drying agricultural products under controlled
temperatures. A brief description of these applications in Pakistan is provided here.

a. Solar Thermal Power Generation:

Solar thermal power uses direct sunlight, called ‘beam radiation’ or Direct Normal
Irradiation (DNI). This is the sunlight that is not deviated by clouds, fumes or dust in the
atmosphere and which reaches the Earth’s surface in parallel beams for concentration.
Suitable sites are those that get a lot of this direct sun – at least 2,000 kilowatt hours
(kwh) of sunlight radiation per square meter annually. The best sites receive more than 2,800
kwh/m2 a year. Typical regions for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) are those without large
amounts of atmospheric humidity, dust and fumes. They include steppes, bush, savannas, semi-
deserts and true deserts, ideally located within less than 40 degrees of latitude north or south.
Like conventional power plants, CSP plants need cooling at the so-called “cold” end of
the steam turbine cycles. This can be achieved through evaporative (wet) cooling where water is
available or through dry cooling (with air) – both are the conventional technologies. Dry cooling
requires higher investment and eventually leads to 5 – 10% higher cost compared to wet cooling.
There is another options which is Hybrid cooling. Hybrid cooling can optimize
performance for site conditions and these are under further development. However, the huge
solar power potential in these areas by far exceeds local demand. So, solar electricity can be
exported to regions with a high demand for power but with less solar resource.

b. Solar water heater:

Solar water heating technology is quite mature but its use in Pakistan has been quite
limited so far mainly because of inability of market development and absence of governmental
support and subsidized gas price. A number of public sector organizations are actively working
on the development of low cost solar water heaters that have now started gaining popularity
particularly in the northern mountainous regions due to cold weather and limited and difficult
supply of natural gas in these areas. With the electricity and natural gas prices registering sharp
increases, the use of solar water heaters is bound to increase. The production and
commercialization of such heaters has already been started in the private sector.
c. Solar dryer:
Solar energy can be utilized very effectively in drying agriculture products using solar
dryers, and good quality products can be obtained at much less cost due to savings in cost of
electricity or other heating fuels that would have been used otherwise for the same purpose. Due
to the lack of logistics and basic infrastructure in the northern mountainous regions of Gilgit and
Sakardu etc tons of fruit like apricots go waste every year. Solar dryers are now being used to
dry large quantities of such fruit, which are transported and sold them later in the urban market,
resulting in a positive effect on the economy of this area. Solar dryers could be equally
effectively used in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh to dry agriculture products for better
market value and generating local employment.
 Recent achievement of PCRET in solar Drying. Several models of solar dryers have been
developed by this council and are being disseminated.

 In Public Sector Development Programme, Govt of Pakistan PCRET designed developed

and installed 10 unglazed collector type hybrid (Solar + Biomass) dryer having 500 kg
capacities for drying of dates in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
 Designed solar dryer for Pakistan Tobacco Board for Curing of Tobacco.
 Designed 500 kg capacity solar tunnel dryer for drying of fruits and vegetables for Govt
of Sindh in this project Sindh Govt. disseminate 80 solar dryers of 500 kg each in Sindh.
d. Solar Desalination:
The unavailability of drinkable water in large parts of Balochistan, Sindh and southern
Punjab is a critical issue. Underground water exists, but it is highly saline due to the presence
mainly of sodium chloride and other salts. Saline water is not only unsuitable for washing and
cleaning but also causes many stomach diseases and hypertension. Solar energy can very
effectively and economically be used to convert this available saline water into potable water.
The solar desalination technology is simple, low cost and low-tech, and therefore, local people
can easily adopt it. Furthermore, solar desalinated water is also free from bacteria, which is
killed during the process due to high water temperature in the still.  Several small plants of
capacity 250 gallons per day each in rural areas to convert brackish water into potable water.
e. Solar cooker:
A number of public sector organizations have worked in the past and are still working on
the development of low cost and efficient designs of both box and concentrator type solar
cookers. Non-governmental organizations are also active in this field and have supplied a
number of such cookers to rural areas. The Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy
Technologies (PCRET), which is later described in this paper, routinely organizes training
workshops on the use and maintenance of such devices. The number of solar cookers in use in
Pakistan is more than 5000, but it is still far less than that being used in China (60,000) and India
(about 14,500). Pakistan needs to popularize solar cookers to reduce the use of precious forest
resources as fuel wood.
Solar cookers come in two types: box types that are more suitable for baking the food,
and concentrated (parabolic) type that works at high temperatures.
Foods prepared in solar ovens keep their natural flavor and taste and retain their vitamin
content. Less oil is required for cooking in the solar oven, therefore, solar oven cooked food is
good for weight conscious people.
All Pakistani dishes including prathas and chapatti can be prepared on concentrated type
cooker in the same time interval as taken by a conventional single stove gas cooker. The method
of cooking is also similar to that of conventional cooker. The cooker emits no harmful smoke to
harm eyes and lungs of the cook. The cooking can be done on this cooker from 9.00 am to 3.00
p.m. on all sunny days of the year.

Conclusion:
 This visit is very helpful for the renewable energy perspective.
 In this visit we understand practically renewable enenergy sources that we read in our
course theoratically. In fact this visist gave us a practically vision to keep in mind
permanent theory of renewable energy.