Dear Manoj, HPS is already an acknowledged leader in the field of alternative energy, having brought much needed hope and empowerment in unelectrified regions through innovation and entrepreneurship! However, I have only one worry for its sustainability in a rural domain, which amongst other things depend to a certain extent on the local partnerships! In other words such enterprises can only thrive with a steady supply of raw materials, strong local leadership and consistent demand situation. All this can be secured with public-private-panchayat partnership models that are currently being piloted under Ministry of Panchayati Raj-CII partnership other than a plethora of support agencies. Has HPS tried to secure any such partnerships so far? If not, its high time to look for such social parameters both for viability and sustenance of business over a long period of time.
In theory your suggestion works well and in certain situation that is a right way to approach the rural part of India. We strongly believe in efficient market paradigm and serve customers (rural people) with a must have service at a price point that nobody else can beat.
Additionally, we recruit only local guys and train them for 3-6 months and bring out leadership from this team at local level - while at the regional level, we provide vision and leadership to the team. This really embeds us very well in the market we serve - we have consistently over-delivered than promised...not a common phenomenon.
Congratulation on successfully installing and running over 30 power plants. It would have been a dream come true for those villagers.
I wanted ask you couple of things.
1. I am from Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh. In our district all villages has electricity (maximum of 10Hrs per day). Our major crop is Rice and major percent of area is cultivated using ground water. But the farmers in our region gets around 4Hrs per day electricity for agriculture which is not sufficient.(not a quality electricity I mean they can't run 3HP motor with that).
Do you have any ideas to overcome this problem? We have enough ground water but we can't utilize it.
2. We have more number of rice mills in our area. The husk produced by these are used for making bricks. Is there any better way of utilizing it like generating power for the rice mill using husk?
Will it be financially viable for them?
Thanks for asking the question. We can definitely address the issue economically and electric motor is much more efficient than diesel run motors. Having said that, we will have to understand the cost of procuring rice husk in bulk ...say, 1-2 tons/month. How much would it cost on a per kg basis?
Additionally, we can supply a very good quality electricity (with fluctuations limited to +/- 15 V)to households ... which means a household does not have to invest in Voltage Regulator etc.
I have been following the news related to "Husk Power System" since long. I am native of Bihar and know that lack of electricity is the real impediment in the development of Bihar. The life of India lives in rural area and this idea of electrifying rural India, is really appreciable. Wonderful Job.
Comments
Dear Manoj, HPS is already an acknowledged leader in the field of alternative energy, having brought much needed hope and empowerment in unelectrified regions through innovation and entrepreneurship! However, I have only one worry for its sustainability in a rural domain, which amongst other things depend to a certain extent on the local partnerships! In other words such enterprises can only thrive with a steady supply of raw materials, strong local leadership and consistent demand situation. All this can be secured with public-private-panchayat partnership models that are currently being piloted under Ministry of Panchayati Raj-CII partnership other than a plethora of support agencies. Has HPS tried to secure any such partnerships so far? If not, its high time to look for such social parameters both for viability and sustenance of business over a long period of time.
Raj,
In theory your suggestion works well and in certain situation that is a right way to approach the rural part of India. We strongly believe in efficient market paradigm and serve customers (rural people) with a must have service at a price point that nobody else can beat.
Additionally, we recruit only local guys and train them for 3-6 months and bring out leadership from this team at local level - while at the regional level, we provide vision and leadership to the team. This really embeds us very well in the market we serve - we have consistently over-delivered than promised...not a common phenomenon.
Thanks.
Hi Manoj,
The rice husk is bought from local farmers or do you have your own plantations? Does the supply meet demands?
We buy Rice Husk from local farmers and pay them for the waste product (through rice mills).
Thanks,
Manoj
Hi Manoj and HPS team,
Congratulation on successfully installing and running over 30 power plants. It would have been a dream come true for those villagers.
I wanted ask you couple of things.
1. I am from Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh. In our district all villages has electricity (maximum of 10Hrs per day). Our major crop is Rice and major percent of area is cultivated using ground water. But the farmers in our region gets around 4Hrs per day electricity for agriculture which is not sufficient.(not a quality electricity I mean they can't run 3HP motor with that).
Do you have any ideas to overcome this problem? We have enough ground water but we can't utilize it.
2. We have more number of rice mills in our area. The husk produced by these are used for making bricks. Is there any better way of utilizing it like generating power for the rice mill using husk?
Will it be financially viable for them?
Any input is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Praveen
Praveen,
Thanks for asking the question. We can definitely address the issue economically and electric motor is much more efficient than diesel run motors. Having said that, we will have to understand the cost of procuring rice husk in bulk ...say, 1-2 tons/month. How much would it cost on a per kg basis?
Additionally, we can supply a very good quality electricity (with fluctuations limited to +/- 15 V)to households ... which means a household does not have to invest in Voltage Regulator etc.
Hope this answers your questions.
Thanks,
Manoj
Dear Manoj Sinha,
According to your experience what are the main barriers or challenges so that social business model can thrive?
Cheers,
The Changemakers's Team
Dear Gyanesh and Manoj!
Congrats on making it to the Finals. All the Best.
Best
Vipin
I have been following the news related to "Husk Power System" since long. I am native of Bihar and know that lack of electricity is the real impediment in the development of Bihar. The life of India lives in rural area and this idea of electrifying rural India, is really appreciable. Wonderful Job.
Thanks.
Excellent stuff
Excellent stuff