'Re-engineering can help poor benefit from solar energy'

There is a lot of re-engineering that needs to be done to help the poor reap benefits from solar energy, says K Subramanya, former CEO, Tata BP Solar.

He speaking after receiving the Surya Mitra award on Saturday. Syndicate Bank and Subramanya were chosen for the Selco Suryamitra Award-2016 in recognition of their contributions to popularise solar energy. Solar Electric Light Company (Selco) presented the awards.

“What solar energy can do, no other form of energy can. It has a long way to go in India. The poor in rural areas do not get salaries every month. The rural masses, farmers are dependent on crops which they harvest once or twice a year. The banks must appreciate this cycle while financing them,” he added.

The Suryamitra awards are presented to those individuals or institutions which work extensively on popularising solar energy and promoting it among the masses across the country. Arun Srivastav, Managing Director and CEO of Syndicate Bank, received the award on behalf of the bank. The bank has been working in rural areas to promote solar energy.

In the past, these awards were presented to SKDRDP Dharmasthala, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Kundapur, Karnataka Vikasa Grameena Bank, Dharwad, Pragathi Krishna Grameena Bank, Ballari, Arjun Menda of Menda Foundation, Bengaluru and Father Maria Julian, Chitra Don Bosco of Chitradurga.