CSR & solar projects in India – Making the nation sustainable

As part of their corporate social responsibilities (CSR), companies are taking significant initiatives in developing monumental projects that meet the varied needs of backward societies in India. The inclusion of solar power can exponentially enhance the impact of these projects. Many solar projects in India are now a part of these CSR initiatives. Furthermore, these CSR and solar projects in India can help increase the adoption of renewable energy in the country.

What sets solar projects in India a step above other technology-driven projects?

The advantages of solar projects in India are manifold:

Easy to implement
Seamless & self-powered application
Low maintenance cost
Renewable natural resources ensure an uninterrupted supply of facility

What prompted the Dhamodi Rural Development CSR Project?

Water scarcity was a perennial tribulation of the inhabitants of Dhamodi, a small village near the Tapi River in Maharashtra. The village is home to a close-knit clan of tribal people, who have tuned their lives to grappling with water shortages for generations.

What created water scarcity despite the presence of a river?

Tapi, the closest water source, is at a geographical distance of only 5 km but, more significantly, at a depth of 350 metres. Also, this seemingly close water resource is anything but easily accessible!

The terrain is steep and not conducive for any mode of conveyance, let alone carrying water from the river effortlessly. Bear in mind that the water containers are empty & light while going downhill towards the river and full while climbing back uphill.
The height difference does not allow for the natural gravitational flow of water, which makes constructing canals pointless.
Electricity-powered solutions, too, are rarely viable in such remote locations.

The CSR Initiators

The Rural Development project in Dhamodi was a joint venture of Diganta Swaraj Foundation (NGO) & ASB International Pvt Ltd (Japan). It was designed, executed, and supported by Nimbus as one of the most unique solar projects in India.

The Final Design – A touch of true genius!

Stage 1

On the banks of Tapi, a solar power station was erected to power the first submersible pump that would lift water from the river to a reservoir constructed midway to Dhamodi.

Stage 2

A second solar power station was built close to the reservoir to power a second submersible pump that pushes the collected water upwards to a tank in Dhamodi. This second pump has been designed to work perfectly with the first pump. It prevents the reservoir from overflowing and maintains the required water levels.

Stage 3

The tank in Dhamodi, not only provided water but was also fitted with a gravitational filter to provide clean and purified drinkable water. The total capacity of the tank is a robust 10,000 litres. The gravitational filter incorporated in this design is far from ordinary. Not only does it work without any power source, but it also provides quality drinking water.

Plumbing – the arteries of the design

The plumbing network designed by Nimbus was intricate and ensured that the water was distributed to all hamlets of Dhamodi.

Ten taps stations were installed at different strategic locations in the village to distribute water evenly.
The plumbing also used valves, which help in the regulation and flow of water throughout the system.
Additional plumbing was done to veer the course of excess water (through an overflow pipe) to the village well, thus making water continuously available and preventing any wastage.
The steep height of 350 metres from the water source to Dhamodi was a daunting gravitational challenge. The precision and functionality of the plumbing system were the cornerstones in overcoming this seemingly impossible feat.

DHAMODI – From DRY to DRENCHED!

The establishment of the solar power station system became a phenomenal technological intervention eliminating the two major pain points of the Dhamodi tribe –

“Fetching water for domestic use” and “Drinking water scarcity”.

Respite from the tedious routine of procuring water:

The women in Dhamodi expressed gratitude and happiness by providing a 24/7 water supply. They are delighted at the efficient design of tap stations, allowing them the ease of filling water at the drop of a hat. Before, they had to spend nearly the entire day walking the river path to and from to meet daily water requirements. With the water now coming to them, more and more women and young people in Dhamodi have the time and scope to engage in other productive occupations in the region.

Drinking water – An added bonus!

The facility providing filtered water for drinking was a touch of real value engineering. It has sealed the deal for a happy & healthy Dhamodi forever.

250 Families & Counting!

The fact that the project was powered by solar has ensured that it is not dependent on any electricity resource. It will be consistent, dependable & easy to maintain. This joint initiative has touched the lives of more than 250 families spread over all the hamlets of Dhamodi.

Nimbus Solar: Bringing CSR and solar projects in India together

The Dhamodi project was conceptualised & implemented by Nimbus Solar (Nimbus Irrigation Pvt Ltd). – a solar power-driven organisation helping companies leverage renewable resources of energies for materialising transformative endeavours towards the welfare of society.

Nimbus is now spearheading the solar revolution wave and helping facilitate solar projects in India.

Website: https://nimbussolar.in/