'Ambassadors of Solar Energy'

Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study

A remote village near the mountains sees its first electric light
powered by solar energy
Sittrarivupatti – The Village

 A remote village in Madurai District, least accessible

 Least developed – No road, no electricity, no access to safe drinking water

 About 15 families in the village. Livelihood : Agriculture, Manual Labour

 Have to walk for about 6 kms to reach the nearest road

1 Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study 13 March 2013

Not Electrified

 Remote Location – There haven't been any attemps to electrify the

village
 Source of Light – Kerosene lamps, battery operated torches,
rechargeable batteries

1 Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study 13 March 2013

The entry of Solar Energy

 Suggested to SELCO by a Bank Employee to power using solar energy

 SELCO visited and convinced the villagers to go for solar energy

 Banks initially reluctant for solar loans – No generation of income to the
beneficiaries – No such thing has been

 The bank was convinced by demonstrating success of solar financing in

Karnataka

1 Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study 13 March 2013

Impact

 The village was powered with electric lighting for the first time ever

 The villagers have got more time for daily activities

 The women never have to cook under the light of kerosene lamps

 The kids can study under proper lighting in the nights

1 Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study 13 March 2013

Impact

 No problem of Bisons entering the village in the night due to the presence
of lighting

 The villagers have lighting in the night, while surrounding electrified

villages are in darkness due to power cuts

 The Lions Club has agreed to support the remaining houses for solar
lighting

 The villagers now are the ambassdors of solar lighting in the surrounding
areas

 Many people have visited to study Sittrarivupatti as a model for

implementing solar lighting

1 Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study 13 March 2013

 Impact

A Solar panel installed outside a house in Sittrarivupatti

A kid happy with solar lighting in his home

1 Sittrarivupatti – A Case Study 13 March 2013