SmartPower

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Let’s Solarize New Delhi!

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SmartPower’s successful and award-winning Solarize model for residential solar installation is now going global!

After months of discussions and face-to-face visits, SmartPower and WeeGreen recently reached agreement with two Indian utility companies: Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL). New Delhi’s third utility, Tata Power, is close to finalizing an agreement as well. When that occurs, all three New Delhi utilities will be part of the SmartPower Solarize Campaigns. Through these joint partnerships, SmartPower and WeeGreen – and our on-the-ground partners in India – will use the Solarize model to expand the adoption of residential solar in New Delhi.

India is a global leader in renewable energy production. In recent years, investment in renewable energy sources has increased dramatically, and India now has one of the fastest growing solar industries in the world. However, India also has the second largest population in the world, and electricity demand is expected to triple by 2040. If the renewable energy industry does not expand at a commensurate rate, fossil fuel usage will rise dramatically.

In order to address the anticipated surge in energy demand, the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been setting ambitious renewable energy goals for the coming years. Prime Minister Modi established a preliminary target of generating over 40% of the nation’s total energy capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and that target is now expected to be far surpassed as the renewable energy industry skyrockets. The government of India also set forward a solar-specific target of installing 100 GW of solar energy by 2022. Of this 100 GW target, India hopes to generate 40 GW from rooftop solar units alone. In tandem with the nationwide push towards solar, the Delhi government has set its own target of generating 2000 MW in solar energy by 2025.

Of course, setting goals can be the easy part. Actually meeting them can prove more challenging. None of the solar energy objectives will be achieved without the rapid expansion of rooftop solar installation—and that’s where SmartPower and WeeGreen come in.

Working with a unique coalition brought together by the US State Department; the Government of India through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; the City of New Delhi; three local utilities; and a local non-profit partner, the Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), our Solarize campaign in New Delhi will offer residents the opportunity to install rooftop solar on their homes using the same peer-to-peer, community-wide approach that has been so effective here in the US. Unique to New Delhi, the Solarize campaign will target owner-occupied homes to expand the types of residential installations beyond the typical large multifamily building. Indeed, the New Delhi campaigns have the same potential to provide the economic benefits for households, workers, the utilities, and the city at large that we’ve seen work so well in states as varied as Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, and South Carolina. Individual families save money on their utility bills and at the same time, the increased demand for solar installation will result in widespread job growth and economic development and reduced costs for solar. It’s a win-win-win for the residents of New Delhi. And, long-term – for our planet.

We’re thrilled to embark upon such an exciting new project that will be able to benefit the New Delhi community and help India reach its renewable energy goals. Keep an eye out for regular updates on our New Delhi campaigns!

How to Make Your Vacation a Little More Sustainable

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Vacation season is here, and with it comes all of the joys of visiting new, exciting places or perhaps even your old favorite places – time alone or with friends and family, shopping, new food, and simple relaxation.

As you plan your trips, we want to highlight some great products for your packing list that will make your vacation a little more sustainable. Each tip is easy to implement, reduces your carbon footprint, and saves you money along the way! 

Reusable Water Bottle – For any trip you may take, consider bringing a reusable water bottle. All those plastic bottles add up, and it is unnecessary pollution when you can just bring your own bottle and refill as needed. If you have ever flown on an airplane or visited a museum, you know that liquids are not always allowed through security. Rather than just throw your water bottle away and buy a new one on the other side, simply take a reusable water bottle. This way, you can empty it before a security checkpoint and refill it after. That’s one less plastic water bottle in use, and one less drink you have to buy.

Solar Chargers – Whether your vacation will include camping, long car rides, or days at the beach, a solar charger is must-have. With a solar charger, there is no need to worry about saving your phone battery or finding a connection to electricity – all you need is the sun! How many times have you wandered around an airport or bus terminal looking for a wall outlet to charge your device? With a solar charger, all you have to do place the charger in the sunlight, plug your device in, and go! It’s perfect for vacations with prolonged hours outdoors and ensures that your devices are fully charged for whenever you may need them. The best part is there are no operating costs- no need for maintenance, batteries, or electricity.

Compostable Products – For those who are camping or are planning to take a longer vacation, we understand the desire to want to cook for yourself rather than go out. But before your reach for those paper plates, consider buying products that are more eco-friendly, such as compostable plates or utensils. Unlike plastic products, compostable materials are able to completely break down in the environment. It’s a simple switch that helps the environment and involves no real price difference from buying the plastic alternative.

Shopping Tote – If you are planning to do a little shopping on your next vacation, a reusable tote bag is a necessity. Rather than amass a collection of single-use plastic bags from every store you visit, just bring your own bag! With a reusable tote bag, you can feel good about your purchases with the peace of mind that you are cutting down on your use of plastics. This is especially helpful for areas with a bag tax as it can save you a little money with every purchase you make!

With these products, you can give yourself the peace of mind that your travel is making a difference, both for the planet and for your wallet! Safe travels!

Why Solar is a Must-Have for Camping

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Why Solar is a Must-Have for Camping

Summer is upon us, which means everyone will be gearing up for one favorite summer activity: the family camping trip! What better way to enjoy the warm weather than to get outside, connect with nature, and spend time swatting flies with friends and family?

As you begin to pack up the sleeping bags and stock up on trail-mix, consider bringing along some solar-powered products to make your camping trip easier, cheaper, and better for the earth! And who knows, it may spark a heated conversation or two with your MAGA-hat-wearing brother-in-law as well.  Here are some of our favorite solar-powered products that you can take with you on your next outdoor adventure:

  1. Portable Cooking Appliances– Had enough cold baked beans and burned hot dogs? Of course, one of the biggest hassles of heading into the great outdoors for the weekend is planning edible meals. Without access to a full kitchen setup, cooking dinner often causes quite the headache. Fear no longer, for portable solar ovens make food preparation fun and easy. Solar ovens remove the trouble of campfire cooking and gives you access to foods you might not have been able to prepare before. Many solar ovens function as slow cookers, so once you prepare your meal, you can leave it to cook at the campsite and return at the end of the day to a hot meal. This solar oven frees up your time so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your natural surroundings with friends and family – and then actually enjoy a real meal.
  • Solar Chargers– Let’s not kid ourselves – we say we want to “unplug” but once we’re out there on the free range, we’re feverishly checking email and the weather radar maps.  But then we realize, we have no battery power. That’s when solar chargers come in to save the day. No need for electricity to charge your devices—all you need is the sun’s rays. Now, when you decide you’ve had enough of the bug bites and blisters from hiking boots, you can still watch your favorite Netflix shows with the peace of mind that your phone and iPad are fully charged.
  • Sustainable Camping Equipment – This is a big one, because it means saving you big money, and giving you peace of mind. Think about all of the equipment you use while camping: lanterns, radios, chargers. When you’re digging these things out of your garage or attic, how many times have you had to check the batteries or replace them to make sure they are ready for use? How many batteries have you had to buy and pack just to make sure you’re prepared? With solar-powered products, there is no guessing game and there is no need to stock up on batteries. As long as you have access to the sun, you know your devices will be charged and ready to go. This reliability means no need to fret over having batteries, saving you time and money. Just imagine having a flashlight that is always ready for use! You will love the peace of mind knowing that your equipment will always be ready when you need it and will last over the years without any upkeep!

The moral of the story? Solar technology = camping peace of mind. Using solar equipment on camping trips maximizes your time, money, and safety. What better way to enjoy a vacation than knowing solar has your back?  Enjoy your Camping Vacations!