solar energy

In Varanasi, railway tracks are doing more than carrying trains. Banaras Locomotive Works has piloted India’s first removable solar panels between tracks, generating clean energy from unused space and offering a bold path toward sustainable railways.

From a student who built a solar bulb on his terrace to engineers empowering tribal villages, meet seven remarkable Indians turning sunlight into safety, dignity, and opportunity for communities where the grid never reached.

In Karnataka’s villages once left in the dark, engineer Sohan Naik and his company, Power Planet, are rewriting daily life. From classrooms to farms and shops, their solar systems now power 2,700 homes and 350 businesses — restoring dignity, trust, and opportunity.

Blackouts no longer mean darkness for many Kerala families. Since 2017, startup Energy24by7 has made this possible, powering over 1,000 homes with smart solar that saves up to 50 percent on bills and keeps them running through outages.

Anand Jain’s 16-acre farm in Sagar showcases agrivoltaics by growing crops and generating 25000 energy units daily under solar panels. Here’s how he is leading a sustainable revolution in agriculture.

Tanveer Inamdar, through his TREEI Foundation, electrified Maharashtra’s tribal villages using solar solutions. His project, ‘Mission Urja’, has significantly improved daily lives of tribal families.

Basking in the sun-drenched heights of the Himalayas, Ladakh embraces over 300 sunny days annually. Through initiatives like the ITBP’s solar power system and plans for a massive 13 GW renewable energy park, Ladakh is turning its harsh climate into a solar energy hub.

In Madhya Pradesh, Anand Jain’s 16-acre farm utilises agrivoltaics to produce crops and solar power without sacrificing arable land. This innovative dual-use technology provides a sustainable farming model and supplies about 25,000 units of electricity to the grid daily.

In Manipur, Seth Moirangthem’s SNL Energy Solutions is transforming lives with solar power. Over 1,000 households in 100 villages are achieving economic independence by overcoming unreliable power.

Aayan Chopra, a 17-year-old student from Gurugram, is trying to help rural India move away from diesel. Through his initiative Project Surya Chakra, he’s replacing noisy, polluting chakki motors with clean solar power, saving workers money, reducing emissions, and restoring peace in their homes.