From a stone cutter to a solar light maker the transition is swift and fast. Chenamma no longer works in the hot sun to eke out a living. She now sits under a fan and deftly fixes wires, batteries and screws for the mini solar LED light. She makes 50 solar lights a day, earning Rs. 280.
Chenamma is among the several villagers making a fast buck in spite of their illiteracy. Thanks to the technology revolution unleashed by the National Institute of Rural Development, several inaccessible villages in the State are enjoying solar home lighting system. Even the rural economy is looking up with transfer of technology.
The solar light manufacturing unit at the NIRD’s Rural Technology Park (RTP) here is abuzz with activity as a variety of solar lights are being made in partnership with the Thrive Solar Energy Pvt Ltd. Some of the villagers who have been trained at the Solar Training Institute, Tiloni, Rajasthan are now gainfully employed. They now assemble solar powered lights and also maintain the solar streetlights installed in their villages. “We will be manufacturing LED lights also in the coming days,” said Mohammed Khan, consultant, RTP.
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The solar mini light and study light, which are 30 times brighter than kerosene lamps, are being offered at just Rs. 150 by NIRD. In the 10 Telangana villages adopted by it, solar streetlights are being installed for Rs. 3,500 – exploding the myth that solar energy is expensive. By investing Rs. 27,000 one can have two lights, a fan and TV running with solar power. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission, Government of India provides 40 per cent subsidy, banks offer 50 percent loan while the rest is born by the beneficiaries. “The only problem is that banks are not readily coming forward to offer loans”, admits Dr. P. Shivaram, project director, RTP.
Solar energy is one of the 20 cost effective technologies being promoted by the RTP for improvement of the rural economy. Recently it has also developed solar lights and freezers for fishermen who go for fishing during nights. Nearly 100 solar lights were supplied to 50 fishermen of Gopalpur on Sea, Odhisa. Other innovative devices manufactured are solar dehydration unit, solar pest manager and thermoelectric cooking appliance.