Solar-Powered Solutions for Rural Electrification
Electricity remains a privilege for many in India, but it shouldn’t be—it’s a necessity. 300 million people in the country still lack reliable access to power. Our Inverterless Solar DC system, developed by IIT Madras, changes that. Designed for affordability and accessibility, it delivers cost-effective renewable energy to rural communities. The demand for decentralized renewable energy solutions presents a significant market opportunity, especially in areas where conventional power remains out of reach. Our technology overcomes the challenges of accessibility and cost, ensuring that clean energy reaches those who need it most, even in the most remote regions.
Meghalaya, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Project Location: Meghalaya, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Methodology: Integrated methodology for electrification of communities
Standard: Gold Standard
Current Deployment: 40,965 Households
Our solar photovoltaic technology takes a decentralized approach, installing rooftop solar systems and DC distribution lines in each home with a complete energy solution—solar panels, batteries, inverterless converters, DC lamps, fans, mobile chargers, and sockets. But this isn’t just about energy access—it’s about unlocking education, time, connectivity, economic opportunities, and improved health. With reliable electricity, children can study after sunset, families can reduce reliance on costly or polluting alternatives, and communities can stay connected to the world. By promoting grid independence, this solar energy project drives social and economic transformation in rural areas while aligning with India’s renewable energy goals and climate action commitments.
In regions facing daily power outages of up to 14 hours, our program replaces polluting kerosene lamps and unreliable battery systems with clean solar energy. This shift drastically reduces household air pollution, offering significant health benefits—especially for women and children who spend more time indoors.
The system’s multi-room electrification capability creates dedicated study spaces within homes, fundamentally changing educational opportunities in rural areas. This is especially impactful for girls, who traditionally shoulder household energy management responsibilities. Extended lighting hours enable evening studies, while reliable power access ensures consistent learning opportunities previously hindered by energy poverty.
Leveraging cutting-edge technology, our system optimizes energy use with minimal losses: only 3% during direct solar power use and 6% in grid-to-load conversion. Even with battery storage, the system maintains 85-90% efficiency, providing affordable, reliable clean energy to rural households.
This program has helped eliminate over 36,605 tonnes of CO2 annually by replacing 40,000+ fossil fuel-powered lighting systems. Its success highlights the potential for scalable climate solutions in challenging regions, blending technical innovation with market viability to drive rapid, impactful change. This model proves that climate action can go hand-in-hand with meaningful social benefits for rural communities.
In regions facing daily power outages of up to 14 hours, our program replaces polluting kerosene lamps and unreliable battery systems with clean solar energy. This shift drastically reduces household air pollution, offering significant health benefits—especially for women and children who spend more time indoors.
The system’s multi-room electrification capability creates dedicated study spaces within homes, fundamentally changing educational opportunities in rural areas. This is especially impactful for girls, who traditionally shoulder household energy management responsibilities. Extended lighting hours enable evening studies, while reliable power access ensures consistent learning opportunities previously hindered by energy poverty.
Leveraging cutting-edge technology, our system optimizes energy use with minimal losses: only 3% during direct solar power use and 6% in grid-to-load conversion. Even with battery storage, the system maintains 85-90% efficiency, providing affordable, reliable clean energy to rural households.
This program has helped eliminate over 36,605 tonnes of CO2 annually by replacing 40,000+ fossil fuel-powered lighting systems. Its success highlights the potential for scalable climate solutions in challenging regions, blending technical innovation with market viability to drive rapid, impactful change. This model proves that climate action can go hand-in-hand with meaningful social benefits for rural communities.
A resident of Nopachi village in Kishtwar
