Brick kiln workers in UP to transition to solar energy

19 Aug 2024 CW Team

In the flatlands of western Uttar Pradesh, solar energy is quietly transforming the lives of brick kiln workers. Once reliant on coal and diesel, eight brick kilns in Aligarh district's Kodiaganj, Pilakhana, and Akrabad have switched to solar panels, marking a significant shift in an industry known for its high pollution levels. This transition, though covering only a small fraction of the district's 555 kilns, signals a promising start.

Om Prakash Sharma, a brick kiln owner, invested Rs 700,000 to install 16 solar panels, generating enough power to run the kiln's operations and provide electricity to the workers' huts. This move saves him about Rs 50,000 monthly. For workers like Kalavati, who migrated from Bihar, the change has brought unexpected benefits, including reliable lighting and the ability to charge mobile phones?luxuries previously out of reach.

The impact extends beyond convenience. Anil, an 18-year-old worker, now studies at night, aiming to complete his Class 10 exams, while others report feeling safer from wildlife due to better lighting. The shift to solar energy has also sparked a sense of environmental responsibility among kiln owners like Sudhir Gupta, who installed panels to reduce reliance on coal and diesel, addressing air pollution issues in the region.

Despite the challenges of extreme heat, which can make even fan-assisted cooling unbearable, the adoption of solar power represents a significant improvement in the workers' quality of life. As solar panels become more common, even among workers' homes, there is hope that with more support, this green energy revolution can expand, offering better living and working conditions for many more in the region.

(ET)

Infrastructure Energy

12 May 2026

Surat Tops Gujarat in PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Installations

Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar systems have been installed on 588,047 houses across Gujarat, equal to about 0.588 million (mn) houses. Surat district emerged as the top performer in the state with 74,940 rooftop installations, followed by Ahmedabad with 69,522 and Rajkot with 65,514. Other districts with substantial uptake included Vadodara at 50,100 and Junagadh at 28,726. The figures were collated from state implementation reports and reflect installations completed under the subsidy and free distribution components. The scheme was launched two years ago to promote ..

DCIL Commissions 150 kW Solar Rooftop Plant

Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has commissioned a 150 kilowatt (kW) solar rooftop plant at its head office in Visakhapatnam as part of renewable energy initiatives under the Government of India’s PM Surya Ghar Yojana. The plant was commissioned by the managing director and chief executive officer, Captain S. Divakar. The project aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve operational efficiency. The installation represents a visible step in the organisation's decarbonisation agenda. DCIL said the solar plant is expected to generate around 750 units of clean energy per day, near..

Tata Power And DGPC Take Hydropower Partnership Past 5,033 MW

Tata Power has expanded its clean energy partnership with Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) by adding the Nyera Amari I and II Integrated Hydropower Project of 404 megawatt (MW), taking the jointly identified portfolio past the 5,033 MW mark. The amendment to the memorandum of understanding raises the target from the original 4,500 MW agreed when the MoU was signed on 19 November 2024, with backing from the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India. The development forms part of a broader bilateral effort to mobilise large-scale renewable capacity in Bhutan. The expanded portfol..