Solar Electrification of 2,500 Rural Homes Across Six Indian States
Manthan Sanstha, in collaboration with Anandana – Coca-Cola India Foundation and with technical support from Barefoot College Tilonia, spearheaded a transformative solar electrification project from 2013 to 2015. This ambitious initiative brought renewable solar energy to 2,500 unelectrified rural homes across six Indian states, changing lives and lighting up futures.
Before the project began, Manthan Sanstha conducted surveys in remote villages of Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, Odisha, and Kerala. The findings were shocking—entire communities had never experienced electricity. Simple tasks like cooking, studying, or navigating after dark were riddled with difficulty and danger. In these regions—Tapi (Gujarat), Champawat (Uttarakhand), Barmer, Sikar, Nagaur, Jaipur, Ajmer (Rajasthan), Champaran (Bihar), Mayurbhanj (Odisha), and Wayanad (Kerala)—electricity was a distant dream. That dream was about to become reality.
Empowering Women Through Solar Engineering
A cornerstone of this program was the training of 24 rural women as Solar Engineers at the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan. These women, many of whom had minimal formal education, learned to assemble, install, and maintain Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHLS).
Upon returning to their villages, they did more than just install lights—they became local leaders, problem-solvers, and symbols of empowerment. Their work ignited not just bulbs, but confidence and self-worth in themselves and their communities.
Creating Sustainable Infrastructure: Rural Electronic Workshops
Beyond home installations, the project also established 18 Rural Electronic Workshops (REWs) across different states. These centers continue to serve as local repair hubs, training centers, and places for community engagement around sustainable energy practices.
