Austrade media release
6 October 2010
A village close to the world heritage site of Elephanta Caves in India will for the first time have reliable light after sundown thanks to unique, solar-powered technology invented by Sydney-based company Solar-Gem Pty Ltd.
The Rajbander village, on historic Elephanta Island, off the coast of Mumbai, has previously relied on expensive and potentially dangerous kerosene lamps, candles, and diesel. Now, thanks to Solar-Gem’s innovative, cost-effective home lighting, villagers are reducing their carbon foot print and ensuring their power supply for at least the next 10 years.
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Science and Technology Park, in Pune, India, Solar-Gem is implementing a trial where each of the 35 homes in the village is fitted with a rechargeable Light Emitting Diode (LED) unit, providing solar-powered electricity for lights and mobile phones.
The first home in the village is scheduled to light up at the end of this month, during Diwali – the festival of lights. A successful trial could lead to expansion to other villages on Elephanta Island and further regions in India needing clean and affordable energy.
Solar-Gem CEO Khimji Vaghjiani said, “Our solar-powered units provide efficient, renewable energy for lighting, mobile phones, small laptops and other appliances, while at the same time reducing reliance on grid connected power.
“The units don’t require special expertise to install and each panel has a charging and billing system on board. You can deploy it and charge people a few dollars at a time for usage. Solar-Gem is also developing further technology, beyond lighting, to power other equipment such as fans, computers, and televisions,” Mr Vaghjiani said.
Austrade’s Delhi-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Peter Linford continued, “The MOU shows that the Solar-Gem solution is economically and technologically suitable for the needs of India.
“The Elephanta Island trial is the result of a joint Austrade Australia-India effort. Austrade was able to provide advice on building business networks in Australia. Our staff also offered insights into the market in India, which meant this trial got the go-ahead,” he said.
The units are manufactured in a factory in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner-west.
Solar-Gem will also be presenting at Business Club Australia in Delhi on 7 October, during the Australia: Innovation Unlimited event. Business Club Australia is the Australian Government’s official business networking program at the Commonwealth Games. It is a platform for boosting business connections against the backdrop of the Games. Around 2000 people are expected to get together at a series of 22 events over 11 days of competition.
Mr Vaghjiani said, “Business Club Australia will give Solar-Gem in conjunction with our local partner JT&T, the chance to raise our profile in the Indian market and meet with other key players there. That could lead to further business opportunities in the emerging clean-energy market in India.”
There are 47 Australian companies delivering on contracts worth over $83 million for the Commonwealth Games. These companies are providing a range of services such as pyrotechnics, design of Games venues, IT consultancy, logistics and coordination of the Queens Baton Relay, security and broadcasting.
The introduction of Australian suppliers to international games and events has combined the efforts of Austrade, Industry Capability Network (ICN) and the Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES). This initiative has the support of the Australian Government’s Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) program and the state governments of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Solar-Gem units are currently being trialled in Sydney at Calmsley Hill City Farm. Negotiations are underway for trials in Fiji, Indonesia, the Middle East, Western Africa and more in Australia. Solar-Gem has units in nine countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the units provide light to surgeons performing open heart surgery, and in a post natal clinic.
Solar-Gem Pty Ltd has won the following awards:
- Community Contribution Award, Tech 23 Innovation Awards, NSW Government, 2010
- Design Excellence in Architecture and Interior Products, Australian International Design Awards 2010
- Australian Power House Museum 2010 award
- Australian Innovator of the Year, G’Day USA, 2010
Available for interview:
Mr Khimji Vaghjiani, CEO, Solar-Gem Pty Ltd
Mr Peter Linford, Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner, New Delhi
ENDS
Media contact
Purnima Ganapathy, Communications Manager, Business Club Australia
Phone: +91 88266 19052
Purnima.Ganapathy@austrade.gov.au
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