By Greentech Lead India: SunEdison, a
solar energy services provider and subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials,
announced a rural electrification program called Eradication of
Darkness. Through the program, SunEdison will design, install and manage
distributed-generation solar power plants to provide energy to Indian villages
that have never before had access to electricity.
“This program is making electricity accessible to
citizens in India who have never dreamt of having it in their homes or
workplaces. We have the opportunity to improve standards of living by enabling
sustainable changes in the lifestyles, health, education and community affairs
of thousands of people,” said Ahmad Chatila, president and chief executive
officer of MEMC.
According to the United Nations, over 400,000 of people
in India live without electricity. The SunEdison Eradication of Darkness
Program aims to address this situation.
The program will be implemented in stages. Initially 29
villages in the Guna District, Madhya Pradesh, have been identified for the
next phase. Appropriate financial and other partners are being sought to
electrify these remote communities.
SunEdison has installed over 50 MW of interconnected
solar electricity in India today. The company’s projects range from small
rooftop installations to South Asia’s largest solar field in Gujarat.
“As challenging as logistics are in rural
electrification, it is important that residents have a voice in the
development, deployment and management of a solution. We have worked very hard
to understand their needs and provide education about the possibilities of
electricity. We believe education is one of the most important aspects to
ensuring the project’s success,” said Pashupathy Gopalan, managing
director, SunEdison.
SunEdison completes 25 MW solar power plant in Gujarat
SunEdison recently completed 25 MW solar photovoltaic
power plant in Gujarat, India. With the completion of this plant, SunEdison has
now activated a total of 45 MW as part of the Gujarat Solar Program. The
project construction was completed in four months.
editor@greentechlead.com