Taking Electricity, Wherever They Go: Engineer’s Portable Solar Units Power Huts of Tribal Migrants in Maharashtra

Imagine a life where night descends as an impenetrable blackness, electricity is a lush distant dream, and safety is a constant battle. This was the reality for the Katkari and Kunbi tribal communities of Maharashtra, who migrate seasonally in search of livelihood.

“In our village, our lives were guided by the flickering light of kerosene lamps. For years, the sunset signalled the close of our day, as darkness enveloped the village by 7:30 pm,” says Sonu Shitaram Jadhav, a resident of Mulshi taluka (subdivision) of Pune district.

For Sonu and other residents of his village, nights were long, punctuated by the distant howls of wildlife, the uneasy growls of village dogs, and a lingering shadow of crime. Primarily labourers, these tribal communities toiled in brick kilns for a meagre Rs 120 a day. They had adapted to this life without electricity. But six months ago, something remarkable started taking shape in this tiny hamlet.

Tanveer Inamdar, a 28-year-old mechanical engineer from Pune decided to bring electricity to the villagers and light up their homes with technology. He had worked for various multinational companies before he decided to shift focus towards social welfare.

In 2018, he established the TREEI (Technology Reuse Environment Empowerment Innovation) Foundation and started working in tribal areas, starting with water-fetching solutions. The lack of electricity in these villages caught his eye. “During implementation (of water-fetching solutions), we realised that these villages also lacked electricity. This led us to explore solutions for providing them with power. Our goal has always been to use technology for social development,” he says. 

Lighting up homes with portable solar systems

In 2022, Tanveer launched ‘Mission Urja’ with the aim of bringing electricity to villages that had never experienced the flicker of an electric bulb. The project leverages both solar and hydroelectric power solutions, tailored to the geographical needs of each village. High in the hills, waterfalls are leveraged to generate hydroelectricity, while portable solar units serve families in less permanent dwellings.

“Many tribal people lack land ownership, often residing on barren land or land belonging to others. Due to high migration and non-durable hut structures, permanent installations weren’t feasible everywhere,” Tanveer explains. “Therefore, we categorised solar power provision into lighting, application use, safety, and backup.”

Tanveer’s enterprise uses two types of solar panels. One is the clustered type, which is permanently installed and cannot be removed. The other option is portable units, which are small, foldable solar panels that can be easily carried by households.

“We follow a dual approach: centralised and decentralised solar systems. The centralised systems involve installing 15 to 20 kW units with about 20-50 solar panels at single locations, distributing power to huts via electric metres managed by local committees,” says Tanveer.

“Each hut, with typically two to three rooms, requires bulbs of 20 to 35 watts powered by 300 to 500-watt portable solar panels, which can be easily clipped to various surfaces with tie clips. When they need to move, they can effortlessly pack it into their bags and take it with them,” he adds.

These innovative portable solar solutions operate automatically as soon as the sun sets. Each unit is designed to be lightweight (up to 3 kg), durable, and maintenance-free. They can be easily transported as families migrate for work. 

“Thanks to solar power, we now use light bulbs and fans and can charge our mobile phones,” Sonu beams. 

Evenings, once hemmed in by darkness, now stretch invitingly as warm lights spill from Sonu and Sanjay Gopinath Pawar’s huts. The once menacing shadows have receded. “The wildlife remains away from our huts and our dogs are not vulnerable to attacks in the dark of the night,” says Sanjay.

The solar unit that now graces his hut is a marvel of simplicity and ingenuity. Lightweight and portable, it’s become an inseparable part of life.

Urja Committee: Empowering villagers 

To ensure the system’s upkeep, Tanveer established an Urja Committee in each village, composed of three men and two women. Additionally, they trained 10 young people in technical skills. 

This creates a comprehensive 360-degree model where the villagers generate, distribute, and manage electricity, Tanveer explains, adding that residents are charged a nominal fee of Rs 10 to Rs 50 per month.

“These funds are deposited into the Urja Committee’s bank account for each village, where they will be saved over the next five years. The equipment has a warranty of five years, and the accumulated funds will be used for maintenance and sustainability purposes,” he says.

This initiative also slashes energy costs dramatically. Families who once spent exorbitant amounts on kerosene lamps and questionable power sources now channel nominal fees into communal savings for maintenance, gradually breaking free from economic bondage.

“In the past, only a few villages had access to electricity, usually provided by a wealthy individual who allowed them to connect to their metres illegally. Households paid almost Rs 500 a month to use a single bulb! That’s how the system typically worked,” Tanveer says.

“Since Mission Urja was established, they are no longer trapped in this cycle of forced labour just to afford electricity,” he adds with a smile.

Depending on the topography and the size of the hut, it costs between Rs 16,000 and Rs 42,000 for solar installation per household. While no fee is charged for installations from tribal residents, Tanveer sustains the company with financial support from corporations like Netcracker Technologies, Imerys Group, Artymn, and Persistent Foundation.

However, Tanveer’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. “The real challenge lies in gaining the support of local authorities. Their response can make a significant difference. Political obstacles also attempted to claim ownership of my work or impede progress. This, unfortunately, holds us back, and there are villages we’ve had to exclude from our efforts due to these challenges,” he points out.

“But we remained determined to forge ahead, driven by the belief that clean, sustainable energy is not a privilege but a right,” he mentions.

Tanveer’s journey has brought light—quite literally—to 945 tribal families, empowering them with sustainable energy solutions. In the villages of Gelgani, Ghevande, DhopeKhind, and Chandavne in Velhe Taluka, 395 families now thrive with hydroelectric power. 

Another 342 families have embraced portable solar solutions, while 208 families in Valni, Maale, Kurudwadi, Kashing, and Shere villages of Mulshi Taluka enjoy the stability of permanent solar installations. Through his relentless efforts, Tanveer is not just providing electricity—he is illuminating lives and fueling hope for a brighter, self-sufficient future.

Access to electricity has helped the villagers extend their productive hours, feel safer, allow their children to study after sunset, and gather safely under illuminated roofs. 

“Imagine visiting a village at night, where it’s cloaked in complete darkness around 7 or 8 pm. Fast forward a few months, and the same village is glowing with light. People are outside, enjoying themselves and chit-chatting with neighbours. This transformation evokes a profound feeling and emotion within me,” Tanveer beams.

But his work isn’t finished yet. “We are working towards electrifying 100 more villages by 2028,” says Tanveer.

Edited by Arunava Banerjee and Leila Badyari; All images courtesy TREEI Foundation