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Gramcell's Renewable Energy Program is designed to promote, develop and popularize renewable energy technologies in remote, rural areas. We believe that small-scale energy production from various sources (hydropower, solar, biomass, wind) is one of the best sustainable solutions in the current economic climate in these areas. These areas are far flung and the costs of distribution of energy to these areas often result in the endeavor being a long-term loss for energy providers. Gramcell believes that the most direct way of using renewable energy is to install renewable energy generating equipment like solar panels or small wind turbines close to these communities and also provide equipment that lessens their reliance on traditional power distribution grid. These systems can be cost-effective, particularly in rural areas where the only alternative is extending long electric distribution lines to serve the house or another small load such as pumping water or mill. Solar water heaters are another great technology that is vastly underused in developing nations. While these devices don't generate electricity, they do reduce the need for electricity or gas for your water heater. Solar water heaters can provide 50-80% of the hot water needs for typical homes and rural businesses.
Another focus for Gramcell is researching and promoting the use of local based wind turbines in areas where winds are constant. For far flung areas, community based wind turbines may be a very effective option. Wind is a very plausible technology for India. The annual wind power capacity addition in India touched a new height of 1000 MW as compared to an achievement of 615 MW during the last year. The cumulative installed wind power capacity has reached about 3500 MW. As
a result, India now ranks in the fourth position in the world, after Germany, USA and Spain in wind power generation
Gramcell also believes in the active propagation of biomass based technologies for the rural communities. Most of these communities are agricultural in nature and traditionally also keep animals for milk and for farming.
Our programs include: |
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- The Design & Installation of solar-electric systems
- Building solar ovens with women's cooperatives
- Building methane biodigestors
- Eco power generators
- Solar products such as lanterns, torches, radios and lighting lamps
- Micro-Hydro site surveys
- Solar Cooking & Food Drying
- Solar Water Distillation
- Solar Electricity for Rural Development
- PV for Rural Health Care
- Financing Household Solar Energy
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