Design and Fabrication of a Solar-Thermal Stirling Engine Power Generation Unit

Objective: To design, fabricate, and demonstrate a small-scale solar-thermal Stirling engine system for decentralized power generation in off-grid rural areas.

India faces significant energy access challenges, especially in remote and rural regions where grid connectivity is unreliable or absent. Small farmers, rural clinics, and educational institutions often lack reliable, clean electricity, hindering local development and productivity.

This project proposes an engineering solution by developing a solar-thermal powered Stirling engine unit capable of generating electricity from concentrated solar heat. The team will design a parabolic solar collector, couple it to a custom-built Stirling engine, and convert mechanical output into electrical power via a generator, providing a sustainable and low-maintenance alternative to diesel generators.

The deliverables include a working prototype featuring a fabricated parabolic dish (1–2 m diameter), high-temperature receiver, alpha-configuration Stirling engine (machined and assembled), power conditioning electronics, and energy storage. The system is tested for output (Wattage), efficiency, and reliability, with a technical report, research paper, and live demonstration to examiners.

The project demonstrates industry-relevant skills in renewable energy and sustainable design. Scalable for micro-enterprise, off-grid healthcare, or rural schools, it supports India’s push for distributed clean energy, offering a replicable model for local manufacturing and deployment.