IAH 302 ASSIGNMENT
Case study
Team:
Abhishek Paliwal - 19117003
Dushyant Yadav - 19117044
Solar Energy implementation in Indira Nagar
Indira Nagar, a small hamlet of Panchayat Soda in District Tonk, Rajasthan, consists of
13 houses with a population of 190 mainly farmers. Most of them have their own lands
that they use to cultivate a single rain fed crop of pulses and groundnuts every year,
whereas others are laborers.
Intervention :
Minda NexGenTech Ltd along with the support of local sarpanch Ms Chhavi Rajawat
started with setting up of a 240 W solar power-based micro grid, investment being made
by Minda NexGenTech Ltd.
Objectives:
It was to provide basic lighting in the village. The outcomes of such plant later turned
into its objectives as:
• Providing basic lighting and charging of mobile phones
• Better standard of living by providing opportunity for generating income
• Kerosene free lighting
• Improvement in health, safer environment and education opportunities
Pre Implementation :
Prior to installation of the solar plant, kerosene lamps used for lighting emitted harmful
fumes with a characteristic smell. It was not possible to carry out household activities
such as cooking, washing utensils, stitching, and fertilizer mixing after sunset.
Post Implementation :
Basic lighting was achieved to all houses in Indira Nagar. This also developed
entrepreneurial spirit among women. Activities such as grinding pulses and stitching to
supplement family incomes have now become part of their activity during evening hours
where they make use of energy efficient LED bulbs. Children are benefitted as they
have more hours to study. This also helps in the women’s education initiatives.
Some shops like vegetable shops, grocery shops and some fast-food shops make use
of lighting through LED bulbs instead of candles and Kerosene lamps. Some women
started activities like making paper boxes for shops in town like sweets packets etc. at
Rs3/box.
The solar power plant works on the BOM (built, operate, and maintain) model where
each household pays a monthly charge of Rs. 150 for usage.
Some shops like vegetable shops, grocery shops and some fast-food shops make use
of lighting through LED bulbs instead of candles and Kerosene lamps. Some women
started activities like making paper boxes for shops in town like sweets packets etc. at
Rs3/box
Outcomes :
In addition to each household lighted up, with the initiatives and support from villagers,
provision of extra income generation was started as for eg grinding of pulses at Rs5/kg
which has resulted in a monthly additional income of about Rs 547 per household.
Other activities initiated are sewing centres, education centres etc. In all the efforts have
been to come up with sustainable development for the villagers.
Calculations:
Technical specifications of the solar power plant
Component Specifications
PV module 1 × 240 W
LED bulbs 9 W × 2 (LED bulbs)
Mobile charging point 5.5–6 V (Single point)
Battery 2 nos, 12 V-150 Ah (ampere
hour),tubular lead– acid battery
Other Components Transmission distribution box,
household distribution box
interconnecting wires/cables,
separate switches, battery box
and electrical accessories
No. of houses = 13
No. of inhabitants = 190
Expenditures:
1. PV module setup = Rs 10,000 .
2. Battery setup = 10,000
3. Assuming 2 LED bulbs of 9W would be installed in each house, total cost
of LED bulbs = Rs (100x 2 x 13 )= Rs 2600
4. mobile charging & operation of small DC machinery which could generate
extra expenditure = Rs 13 x 200 = Rs 2600
5. Others components charges = Rs 13 *1000 = 13000
6. Subsidy from government = 10% of Capital cost
Total Capital cost = Rs(10000 +10000+2600+2600+13000) = Rs 38200
Subsidy = Rs 0.10 x 38200 = Rs 3820
Net Capital cost =38200 - Subsidy = Rs 34380
Sources to recover the capital cost:
The solar power plant is based on the BOM (built, operate, and maintain) working
model with each household contributing Rs 150 as the monthly charge for usage.
This has resulted in minimal financial impact on the villagers as more or less the
same amount was earlier being paid for kerosene (3 litres).
So, Revenue generated = Rs150 *13 = Rs1950 / monthly = Rs23,400 /yr.
Therefore Payback period = Rs 34380/Rs23,400 = 1.5 yr (approx).
Sankey Diagram of Energy Consumption :
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) directly
satisfied by the intervention are:
Providing Clean and Affordable Energy:
Currently, solar is the cheapest form of energy. The installation prices have also
decreased, and trends project they will keep lowering.
Fossil fuels contribute to destroying the environment. It directly contributes to low land,
air, and water quality. Investing in solar energy fulfills the energy goals and protects the
environment. It omits emissions of greenhouse gases without affecting the growth of a
country.
When there is usage of kerosene lamps and candles then they emit harmful fumes with
a characteristic smell. But after these efforts for solar lights and because of that no
harmful fumes are excreting in air. This provides a clean source of energy.
Economic growth and development :
Solar energy provides opportunities for more economic activities. These activities are
essential in fostering development from the bottom up.
Creating a suitable environment for fostering small entrepreneurial spirit among
villagers: With the help of this Solar light, many entrepreneurial activities are going after
those efforts.
Activities such as grinding pulses and stitching to supplement family incomes have now
become part of their activity during evening hours where they make use of energy
efficient LED bulbs. E.g., grinding of pulses and flours which has resulted in a monthly
additional income per household. Other activities like making boxes, sewing centres,
education centres etc. This results in strengthening the economic condition of farmers.
Educational development and Women empowerment :
Children can get an education when there is access to electricity. Energy also increases
entrepreneurial pursuits for women. As a result, women become more independent as
they access more opportunities to work. Availability of solar in the community helps to
level the field for women and girls.
Childrens are getting educated and education is a force multiplier which enables self-
reliance, boosts economic growth by enhancing skills and improves people's
lives.Therefore lead to overall future development of the area.
