nly want the cheapest possible option when it comes to energy. “They have always wanted the best”, he explained. “But if you’re poor, you never talk about ‘best’. You talk about access.”
“Our entire focus is, how do you get our end user – internationally – to feel empowered?” he added. “Our fundamental belief is a high quality product at an affordable cost, so that the end user feels a sense of pride.”
Scaling up solar
Empowerment takes not just one household but a village, a town, a city, a nation, or better yet, the whole world. Take the towns of Kundapur and Udupi, where Selco sells standalone solar power systems from its shopfront, as well as bulk to village unions, schools and other institutions. When the municipal hospital in Dubai-Bail, a village near Udupi, installed solar panels and lights two years ago, more patients started coming for treatments, points out customer relationship executive Rashmi Kotian. “People know that when electricity goes off, the doctor is still there,” she says.
Selco solar power plant on the Udupi town hall
A little further north, in Kundapur, seven schools running solely on thermal power – as required by the education authorities – now prove to have got it wrong. Using Selco’s high-quality solar lighting systems, they are not only saving money on electricity bills, but are also providing more reliable light.
This article discusses the impact of solar power on livelihoods in rural areas, specifically in Udupi, India. The use of solar power has not only improved access to reliable electricity but has also led to economic opportunities for individuals and communities. The article highlights how solar-powered tools and equipment have increased productivity and income for artisans such as blacksmiths and tailors. It also emphasizes the importance of providing high-quality solar products at affordable costs to empower end-users and promote sustainable energy solutions. Furthermore, the article discusses the scaling up of solar power in villages and towns, showcasing examples of schools and hospitals that have benefited from solar energy systems. Overall, the article emphasizes the transformative impact of solar power on livelihoods, community development, and access to essential services in rural India
Read the full article on Positive News here: Read More
