Selco | Harish Hande | poverty
SELCO India: Solar energy pioneer ready to scale
India is facing a looming energy crisis. The energy needs of the country’s population cannot be met by conventional energy sources (read: Fossil Fuels). We had mentioned in the space before, the importance of India leapfrogging into renewable sources like solar and wind. As part of the eleventh five year plan, GOI just allocated Rs. 600 crore towards green energy research creating incentives for adoption of renewables.
One company that has taken the lead in the renewables space is Solar Electric Lighting Company (SELCO) India. We had covered SELCO extensively in this space before. The challenge with solar energy is not just the making Photo-voltaic(PV) cells more cost-effective, but also
effective financing, distribution, and maintenance of these PV units. The latter is commonly referred to as downstream solar opportunities. Started in 1995, SELCO India claims to have sold, serviced and financed 75,000 solar electric units. Recognizing SELCO’s cutting-edge work in expanding access to energy, its founder Harish Hande was chosen as Indian Social Entrepreneur of the Year for 2007 by the Schwab Foundation in partnership with The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation.
The challenge for a company like SELCO now is scale. How can the organization move from servicing 80,000 clients to servicing 8 million clients? Making PV units more affordable would be a good start (currently they are priced around Rs. 800). Another key challenge would be building a effective distribution and servicing chain. There is also competition around the corner (which is never a bad thing) – we had mentioned d.light design, a silicon-valley based company with an aggressive focus on India.
17 Comments on “SELCO India: Solar energy pioneer ready to scale”
dear sir,
i am looking for various business opportunities in silar energy can you guide me for the same
regards
bhavesh
9422613435
Sir,
I want some exposer vist relating to the Solar Light, as i am working in Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSPI) in the post of Development Specialist in Alternative Energy. As i done my PG from IIT Kharagpur
Thanks
Niraj Kumar Singh
nirajkumar@akrspi.org
09431807928
solar power is not just important to industrialized countries in their quest to reduce energy independence but green house gases as well. The problem as evident today is even more pressing as limiting exposure to oil price fluctuations relate directly to economic as well as national security concerns as well.
What makes rneweable energy products exciting from companies like SELCO is they also see, and wisely so, the need and market for developing aras and country’s as well as the way to best serve these markets is clearly going to be solar power.
Also I would like to thank the author on an excellent article on the coming implementation of solar power
http://www.motherearthenergy.com
Hello TC-I team, SELCO
It is infact amazing to know about the scale of operation of SELCO on providing solar lanterns , recharging and rental supply. AWAKE- an NGO for women development and entreprenurship would like to train some women entrepreneurs both rural and urban in this . Is it possible to get the right contact person ? and details on manufacture and maintainence of these solar powered lanterns.
regards,
Dr.Rajeswari
secretary
AWAKE- mob: No : 91-9886012026
Hi,
I am a cable operator and an Internet service provider here in Bangalore.
Since the Internet needs 24×7 service we are looking at a solar electricity for powering the switches which we have placed near the customer premises. This power issue has become a nightmare here. Hence on the look out for solar, this helps in 2 ways, 1) uninterrupted service 2) reduce power consumption and also Eco friendly.
If anybody do know whom I can contact, please do let me know
I can be reached at anandcablenet@gmail.com
Thanks
Arun
am intrested to join in solar energy program .what is the process to join
thanking you,
G.kiran kumar
9885396744
Hi,
I need to get a detailed idea about the use of solar energy in rural areas. I wish to get an idea about the equipments required for it with their price and the producers’ name and address.
Thank you.
Prof. Dr. Mostafa Ashour
Faculty of Agriculture
Food Science Dept.
Zagazig Univ.
EGYPT
hai,
this is TeamLED, LED Foundation, India. it is good and useful information. today, nearly 40 crore / 400 million Indians are waiting for and needs a realiable, trustful, long lasting and useful light to allow them to do thier tasks at affordable cost.
we, are committed for the cause “LIGHTING INCLUSION”.
please see our website http://www.ledfoundation.in
thank you,
R Praveen Kumar,
Officer – PR & Admin.
LED Foundation
dear sir, i am living in Raipur , Chhattisgarh. I am an Engg. grduate. I have 15 years experience of working in social sector ( health and community empowerment). I am interested to work in alternative energy as professional as well as social activist. I need your support in this regard. Please provide useful information.
Thanks a lot. warm regards .avinash.
dear sir, i am living in Raipur , Chhattisgarh. I am an Engg. grduate. I have 15 years experience of working in social sector ( health and community empowerment). I am interested to work in alternative energy as professional as well as social activist. I need your support in this regard. Please provide useful information.
Thanks a lot. warm regards .avinash.
avinash.lumba@gmail.com
Good morning is goo when sun rises in the morning. I want to be a social entrepreneur and very much interested in solar energy business with not a motive of minting money but to earn bread and butter and do the social service. Can you guide me.
Awaiting your guidance.
Hello,
I am living in Pune and wanted to start with green energy business. Can you guide me how your company can help me.
Thanks
Dear All,
I believe that green energy should be the way of life in future to save our planet. I would like to make some difference using green energy in rural india.
Please help to march towards green india
i am interested in joining.pl.send me info.for enteringat the baseof pyramid. product profile,min .investment and good wishes.