Peeli Batti Project: Solar electrification to facilitate access to clean energy thereby ensure improvement in quality of life and productivity

India is in the early stages of a green energy boom led by the private sector, in terms of operations and its life cycle.  Solar energy is sustainable, renewable and available in abundance. The cost of using solar power to produce electricity goes down every year.

Project Background: 

The Global Carbon Budget 2022 report states that if the emissions stay at the levels they are in 2022, it will take just 9 additional years for atmospheric CO2 to reach catastrophic levels leading to 1.5°C global warming. Emerging economies such as India account for 67% of carbon-dioxide emissions from energy in the past year.

There is a huge potential of switching to solar based electricity for community based organizations and nonprofits. There is an untapped  potential to shift to a cleaner approach. However due to capital cost, many are at a disadvantage especially remote locations in rural India. Conventional electricity is a far-fetched dream in many villages in India even today. Due agricultural focus, ongoing needs of the community, and adoption to solar based electricity will help mitigate access to electricity and its potential emissions. Thereby providing a two pronged approach to improve lives by creating sustainable sources of electricity and creating a ripple effect by improving health, education and livelihood opportunities. 

Current need: 

Lack of reliable electricity in rural areas is impeding the economic progress of the villages and is depriving the women, children and the men the basic quality of life. Currently, it is estimated that over 60 villages in Vikarabad District and other districts in the vicinity of Hyderabad in Telangana as well as many villages in Andhra Pradesh where in grid electricity, if at all available; is of extremely poor quality ( as low as 130-140V line voltage, as against the normal 230V) or the power outages are frequent and for long duration; running into 6-10 hours per day.

To address the above, United Way India is working towards enhancing livelihood and  income generation activities such as solar powered irrigation, solar powered cold storage/refrigeration for storing marketable surplus of vegetables and fruits, solar powered tailoring etc. using the proposed solar powered electricity infrastructure in these villages; in addition to providing the basic lighting and fans. Thus Benefiting the entire village with additional income, increased productivity for women, enhanced safety and health, additional reading/ study hours for children leading to enhanced academic performance. Reliable solar powered electricity along with clean cooking at each home eliminates the use of kerosene lamps or firewood, thus significantly reducing the carbon footprint in the environment of these villages.

Solar electrification of 5 villages reaching ~300 households