E-HANDS
LOCATION
INDIA
SECTOR
RENEWABLE ENERGY
YEAR OF INVESTMENT
2013
Need
India has the world’s largest number of households without electricity. More than one quarter of its population, or about 311 million people, the majority of whom live in poorer rural areas, still lack an electricity connection. Even among households with electricity service, a quarter of a billion people still lack reliable power supply. Meanwhile India remains the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, a substantial portion of which are generated by burning biomass for energy and cooking or using diesel to power generators in the absence of a reliable electric grid.
Solution
E-Hands sells a range of green energy products, primarily solar but also wind, to provide affordable clean, renewable energy access to millions of people. E-Hands’ products and services include solar-powered rural banking solutions, solar home systems, solar lanterns, and off-grid solar or solar/wind solutions for villages. E-Hands, headquartered in Chennai, operates and brings its energy solutions to families in 15 Indian states.
Impact
E-Hands products benefit over 45,000 people spanning 300+ installations, covering border areas, railway crossings, NGOs, rural homes, schools and companies. As a member of ADB’s “Energy for All” program the company has launched several initiatives that have resulted in the reduction of 2500+ tons in carbon emissions into the atmosphere. By working with rural banks, the company continuously promotes better access to financial services for customers from rural areas.
