Can sustainability and social justice go hand in hand?
SELCO’S is proof that yes it can. SELCO Foundation, founded by Harish Hande is not just an organisation, it is a movement that reshapes the narrative of how clean energy can drive inclusive development.
About Harish Hande & Selco
Before earning master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Harish Hande went to IIT Kharagpur to pursue energy engineering. During his research trip to the Dominance Republic and Sri Lanka, he witnessed how a decentralised solar system could impact rural communities.
Inspired by these experiences, Harish locked in a mission to bring sustainable and affordable solar energy to the underserved.
In the year 1995, Harish co-founded SELCO solar light pvt. Ltd. Unlike other solar companies that focused purely on technologies, SELCO India drew attention to the unique needs of rural households.
They collaborated with banks to create micro loans and offered service guarantees to customers. This approach helped them build long term trust with families who had never dreamed of electricity access to their own solar lighting systems.
In 2010, Harish founded the SELCO Foundation (a non profit public charitable trust). It was designed to explore how renewable energy could integrate with critical areas such as education, healthcare and livelihood.
To fulfill its objective to co-create solutions that were not only technically appropriate but also socially and culturally appropriate, SELCO worked with NGOs, governments, grassroots innovators and financial institutions.
The Impact
Healthcare – In terms of healthcare, energy access is often a matter of life and death. Over 4000 health centres with solar powered systems have been equipped by SELCO Foundation which enabled rural clinics and hospitals to provide maternal care at night, run diagnostic equipment, store vaccines and handle emergencies without disruption.
Solar powered primary health centers are now lifelines for remote communities, in states like Odisha, Assam and Meghalaya.
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Livelihood – Economic empowerment is also enabled by energy access. SELCO has helped small entrepreneurs and artisans scale their businesses by deploying solar powered livelihood tools such as sewing machines, pottery wheels etc. Many people have directly been benefited through higher incomes and enhanced productivity.
Education – Reliable electricity for digital learning tools, has helped teachers to make education more engaging and effective for students.
Reportedly, SELCO Foundation has impacted more than 7.5 million people through direct and indirect interventions and aims to reach 10 million beneficiaries by 2027 June.
Farmers using solar irrigation pumps and women artisans using solar powered machines have proven that clean energy can not only light homes but can also transform lives.
SELCO has inspired other regions to adopt decentralised renewable energy models, by sharing its open source knowledge and methodologies.
Moreover, by collaborating with partners in East Africa and Southeast Asia, SELCO has successfully extended its work beyond India.
Recognition
Harish Hande has received some of the most prestigious National and International awards for his outstanding work. It includes Skoll award for Social Entrepreneurship (2018), Karnataka Rajyotsava Prashasti (2011), Schwab Foundation’s social entrepreneur of the year 2007, Ramon Magsayday Award (2011) and Ashden awards for sustainable energy innovations.
This journey reflects when renewable energy is nurtured in inclusivity and empathy, it does not only hold power to brighten homes but also lives of people.
