In India, 306 million people don’t have access to electricity. An Australian company is helping to address this issue via solar power.
Pollinate Energy is a ‘social business’ supplying low cost solar and other appliances to Indians with an entrepreneurial spirit. These entrepreneurs, called “Pollinators”, start their own business operating in impoverished communities in Bangalore; the third largest city in India.
One of the products they offer is the Sunking light, which comes with a small detachable solar panel. Accredited by IFC’s “Lighting Africa” quality standards, it offers four modes: torch, desk lamp, room light and hanging light. The other product is a low cost, low pollution cookstove.
According to the company’s web site, more than 5,600 systems have been sold; benefiting nearly 28,000 people. 226,334 liters of kerosene has been saved and around 543 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided. The financial savings for owners of the systems are impressive; estimated at 10.23 million rupees (approximated AUD $181,400 at current exchange rates). Many of the families using equipment kits earn a pittance – the poverty line in India’s cities is 47 rupees a day; around 83 Australian cents.
Currently just operating in Bangalore, by the middle of next year Pollinate Energy hopes to have expanded into two new cities and ultimately to have a presence in every tier-one city in India.
Australians can get involved with Pollinate Energy by donating their time and skills or financially. Solar lights can also be purchased from the company and 50% of every sale will go towards bringing clean energy products to India’s poor urban communities.
A simple light can make a huge difference to a family’s life – particularly one that doesn’t emit noxious fumes into a space that may just be a tent.
Another Australian company we’ve covered in the past bringing solar light to the poor is Illumination Solar.
