2019: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now a principal part of businesses in India. CSR initiatives ensure that companies have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact. Corporations taking CSR initiatives collaborate with organisations (profit and non-profit) across the country to fulfil their respective goals.
Here are 10 CSR initiatives in India, related to solar energy.
Atkins rescues classrooms affected by power cuts (2019)
Project budget: INR 9 lakhs
Atkin Global‘s CSR program is enabling government schools of Bangalore with consistent access to electricity for an uninterrupted and comfortable learning experience. Atkins, in collaboration with Solarify, installed solar-powered backup systems in two government schools in 2019. Apart from creating a better learning environment, this initiative also reduces 7 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year.
Central Electronics donates solar rickshaws to IITs (2019)
Project budget: INR 6.8 lakhs
The government enterprise, Central Electronics Ltd. (CEL), has donated ten solar-powered rickshaws priced at INR 68,000 each, to the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi (IIT-D) as a part of their CSR initiative. The 300 W solar panels fitted onto the roof of these rickshaws allow them to operate between optimal speeds of 10 km/hr to 15 km/hr.
Power Finance Corporation Ltd lights up the lives of the villagers of Arunachal Pradesh (2017-18)
Project budget: INR 18.72 crores
Power Finance Corporation Ltd installed solar-based LED street lighting system and LED-based solar home lighting system in 8589 households in the villages of Arunachal Pradesh. Also, they introduced solar community irrigation schemes for 1000 hectares area in Chhattisgarh.
Tata Steel commissions 3 MW Solar Power Plant at Noamundi Mines, Jamshedpur (2017-2018)
Project budget: INR 35 crores
A 3 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant has been commissioned at Noamundi by Tata Steel – becoming India’s first solar-powered iron ore mine. The plant can generate up to 4.5 MWh of solar energy. The initiative helps reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 3000 tons every year.
HAL provides off-grid power solutions to government schools (2017-18)
Project budget: INR 1.37 crores
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) provided 4 kW off-grid solar power systems in more than 50 government schools affected by frequent power cuts, in the rural areas of Gubbi taluk (Karnataka), with battery backup fit for two days of autonomy.
Suzuki inaugurates water and solar projects (2017-18)
Project budget: INR 12 lakhs
Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Ltd. as part of its CSR endeavours inaugurated two projects – RO water and solar power – in Govt. Senior Secondary School (Darbaripur) and Kherki Daula Govt. Senior Secondary School. Around 240 litres of refrigerated RO water would be available for drinking, and the solar power system would generate 10 kW of solar energy.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders installs solar power plant at ITI, Chikaldhara (2017-18)
Project budget: INR 69 lakhs
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited partnered with Research Centre for Sustainable Solutions Pvt. Ltd., for the installation of five solar power systems of 10 kWp each at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Chikaldhara, Maharashtra.
SpiceJet adopts a village in Assam (2017-18)
Project budget: INR 5 lakhs
SpiceJet limited adopted the remote village of Baruahchuck, in the Majuli district in Assam. The project lights up 70 households, an Anganwadi, a school, and two temples; besides the street lighting. It provides the people access to sustainable energy through a solar microgrid, thereby improving their quality of lives.
Coca Cola implements solar energy projects (2015-16)
Project Budget: INR 7.25 crores
The villages around Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) faced irregular and erratic supply of grid electricity. Coca-Cola India Foundation collaborated with The Corbett Foundation to implement solar energy projects in 62 villages. The Uttarakhand focussed initiative reached – 3 villages of Almora, 28 villages of Nainital, and 31 villages of Pauri – positively impacting the people’s day-to-day lives.
ONGC lights up the streets of Tamil Nadu (2014-2015)
Project budget: INR 42 lakhs
Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) provided financial assistance to Catalyst Trust (based in Chennai) towards the erection of 186 solar street lights and solar electrification of 10 community buildings in Bagasalai Village, Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu.
Companies are mandated by the government to contribute a portion of their earnings towards the improvement of underprivileged societies. Mandated or by choice, such efforts by organisations yield considerable dividends for India. CSR initiatives related to renewables, in particular, contribute to climate action as well.
From providing drinking water, irrigation, lighting, illumination and community farming; solar power is a favoured by corporates for their CSR initiatives.
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