1. What key moments or insights have shaped SELCO’s journey in becoming a pioneer in bringing affordable solar energy to underserved communities in India?

SELCO always focused on the needs of the end user. The needs of the end user were broken up into multiple paths. For example, some of them would look at solar energy as livelihood option, some would look at solar energy as a saver of electricity and some would look at solar energy as convenience. Along with this SELCO would also work with local financial institutions to tailor make financial products that suited the cash flow of the end user. For example, a Paddy farmer would make payments one a yearly basis and a teacher monthly. The uniqueness of combining the technical product and financial product from an end user's perspective proved a long-term sustainable model for SELCO. The models that SELCO had created were not from the supply side and were always mostly from the end user's perspective.

 2. You are often called the 'Solar Man of India' and have championed solar energy not just as a technology, but as a tool for social equity. What has been the impact on the ground?

I am not sure if that title is fair at all, because numerous people across the country have worked very hard in the sector of solar and sustainability. We have been one of the organizations in the journey of India’s solar. We believed that Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE), provided true empowerment to the marginalized by providing doorstep energy, livelihood, and other opportunities. It equalized the field in many ways. It opened avenues of new livelihood application, it lowered the transaction costs of essential services like health and education. Such an implementation thought process, has opened up numerous options for people in the remote parts of Meghalaya to the tribal populations of Odisha. Local ownership and innovations have proved that one need not have to move to urban areas of prove one talent or increase opportunities of better life.

3. Receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award is a significant honor. How has this recognition shaped your mission? and how do you see your work evolving as we march towards India@100?

Again, unfortunately awards glorify individuals. SELCO has always pushed for inclusive opportunities, one of the critical parameters as we march for India@600. Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) will unlock the immense potential of the 600 million people who live in the semi-rural and rural areas. Different development models that are long term sustainable will make India the hub of knowledge for rest of the developing world. The diversity of India, in terms of segments, terrains, climate, offers the world a one stop solutions window for all their challenges. India @100 should be a goto model for all the development programs in the world – SELCO would like to play a critical part in that vision.

4.Given your extensive experience in SELCO with solar energy, what emerging trends or technologies in the renewable energy space do you think will define the next decade, and how can India stay ahead of the curve in adopting them? 

The next decade will be defined from the demand side and not from the supply side. Building designs along with innovative income generating products (running on solar) will transform the way DRE is being scaled. There will be transformational change in the way medical devices are designed. With the availability of DRE, different medical devices will be designed for resource poor areas, making it accessible and affordable. 

Because of DRE, new type of services will be available at the last mile – like teleservices for tribal communities in Odisha or Jharkhand.  Foldable dental chairs running on DRE can provide doorstep dental services to the poor in the remote Islands of Majoli, Assam. The opportunities are immense. Small scale farmers and other SMEs will be able to adapt to rising temperatures by redesigning workspaces and installing cooling technologies, all using DRE. New ways to increase the yields of small holding farmers to inclusive livelihood opportunities for marginalized sections of the communities. 

6.  As AI continues to evolve, how do you see its role in transforming the way solar energy is deployed and managed, especially in rural or off-grid areas?

AI will increase opportunities for better solutions and in fact will increase the opportunities for the poor for respectable livelihoods (and not take away jobs);  

7.  What advice would you offer to young engineers and entrepreneurs who aspire to build sustainable and socially impactful ventures in today’s rapidly evolving landscape?

To all youngsters work with least amount of resources in the most difficult areas. One needs to immerse in the problem statements. Do not rush into conclusions because of the backgrounds one comes from