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India’s renewable energy sector is poised for further growth, fuelled by government subsidies, innovative companies and surged interest from foreign investors. There are obstacles such as energy storage, lack of grid infrastructure and capital intensive projects that remain but the progress made so far is setting the tone for a cleaner and a more sustainable energy future.
India’s renewable energy sector has seen the rise of several innovative start-ups that are driving change with technology, unique business models, and a focus on sustainability. Here are some prominent Indian renewable energy start-ups:
1) Gensol Group: Gensol is a consulting and project management company for solar power projects. It assists solar developers with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services and specializes in asset management for existing projects. Gensol uses AI to analyse project data, predict maintenance needs, and improve solar panel efficiency. It also launched BluSmart, India’s first electric ride-hailing service, as part of its renewable-focused expansion.
2) Oorjan: Oorjan focuses on solar installations for residential, commercial, and industrial users. It provides turnkey solutions for rooftop solar installations, making solar power accessible to individuals and small businesses. The start-up uses a digital platform to streamline financing and monitoring, allowing users to manage their solar installations remotely. Oorjan also helps customers’ access government subsidies and financing options for solar projects.
3) ZunRoof: ZunRoof is a home-tech start-up that provides rooftop solar and Internet of Things (IoT) based home automation solutions. The company primarily targets residential rooftop solar installations, with a strong presence in urban and semi-urban areas. It uses AI-based tools to design solar panel layouts optimized for each rooftop. ZunRoof also offers a mobile app that allows users to monitor their solar system performance and electricity savings in real-time.
4) Solar Square: Solar Square offers rooftop solar solutions for residential and commercial users. It provides fully managed, customized solar panel installations for individual homes and small businesses. Solar Square simplifies the solar adoption process by offering financial support, from affordable loans to power purchase agreements (PPAs), enabling customers to switch to solar with minimal upfront costs.
5) Ather Energy: Ather is an electric vehicle (EV) start-up, but its operations are heavily intertwined with renewable energy. It designs and manufactures electric scooters and has set up charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy. Ather has implemented a network of “Ather Grid” charging stations that are partially powered by solar energy, promoting the use of renewables in the EV space and encouraging green mobility in cities.
6) Cygni Energy: Cygni Energy develops innovative battery and energy storage solutions, focusing on solar-DC technology. Cygni’s Solar-DC products cater to residential and rural areas with limited electricity access, providing backup energy and low-power DC appliances. The start-up has developed highly efficient, DC-based solar solutions that reduce energy consumption and are cheaper to install. It also creates energy storage systems that can integrate with solar panels, further increasing renewable power reliability in off-grid areas.
7) SunSource Energy: SunSource Energy is a distributed solar solutions provider that serves industrial and commercial clients. The company specializes in on-site solar installations for commercial buildings, hotels, and manufacturing facilities. SunSource offers innovative financing options, including zero upfront investment models, and uses cloud-based solutions to monitor and manage energy output.
Initiatives by established Indian Renewable Companies:
1) Energy Storage Solutions: With the growth of renewable energy, energy storage is essential for managing the intermittent nature of solar and wind power. Companies like ReNew Power and Tata Power are piloting large-scale battery storage projects to ensure stable power supply.
2) Green Hydrogen Projects: Many companies, including NTPC and AGEL, are exploring green hydrogen production as a way to decarbonize sectors like steel, cement, and transportation. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is a clean alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods.
3) Rooftop and Off-Grid Solutions: Tata Power and Azure Power have been expanding rooftop solar solutions to bring renewable energy to residential and small commercial users, while microgrid projects aim to electrify remote areas.
4) AI and Predictive Analytics: Companies are increasingly adopting AI to improve efficiency in renewable projects. AI applications include predictive maintenance, optimizing solar tracking systems, and balancing supply and demand in grids.
A momentum is emerging in this sector due to an increased focus on renewable energy as the key focus for private equity investments, driven by India’s commitment to green energy.
Final Words:
The renewable start-ups are helping India pave toward cleaner energy systems by bringing renewable energy directly to homes, businesses and rural areas and making it more inclusive. In India, several key companies are making substantial strides in the renewable energy sector. These companies are investing in new technologies, expanding capacity, and supporting the country’s ambitious renewable energy goals.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint