Bengaluru Teen’s Solar Innovation Powers 100 Rural Homes, Wins Global Recognition

Placas solares en el campo con el cielo atardeciendo y el sol incidiendo sobre ellas

Bengaluru, June 30, 2025 — In a heartening tale of innovation, sustainability, and youthful determination, 17-year-old Aditya Rao from Bengaluru has made headlines after his solar energy prototype lit up over 100 rural homes across Karnataka — a project that has now earned him a spot among the finalists at the International Green Tech Awards 2025 in Stockholm.

Aditya, a Class 12 student from National Public School, Koramangala, designed a low-cost solar energy kit that includes a foldable panel, battery storage, and an LED lighting system. The entire unit costs just ₹2,800 — less than a family’s monthly electricity bill.

“I noticed how many villages lose power during monsoons. I wanted to build something that didn’t just generate electricity, but brought light where it matters most,” said Aditya, whose project began as a school science fair submission.

What started as a classroom experiment quickly caught the attention of Sahyadri Rural Innovations Lab, who helped pilot the prototype in remote areas of Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts. Within three months, over 100 homes had reliable lighting for the first time in decades.

“We were using kerosene lamps. Now our children study under clean light,” said Meenakshi, a resident of a forest-fringe village near Sirsi. “This small box changed our evenings.”

Aditya’s innovation not only reduces carbon footprint but also brings relief to families burdened by unreliable power supply and rising energy costs. His design includes a USB charging port, allowing villagers to power basic devices without grid access.

The Ministry of Renewable Energy has taken note, with officials indicating interest in scaling the project under its Rural Solar Empowerment Scheme.

As for Aditya, his dream goes beyond awards. “I just want my idea to reach as many homes as possible. A light in one home can change an entire generation,” he says.

The International Green Tech Awards will be held on July 15 in Stockholm, where Aditya will present his project alongside innovations from 40 other countries. Back home, he’s already being hailed as a symbol of the new, green India.