Award-winning Indian SMEs partner for sustainability project

A Karnataka-based musical and academic educational trust has tied up with SELCO India to implement its award-winning sustainability project.
Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya (KSV) was granted USD 100,000 at the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony for its student-led project to become self-sustainable using energy efficiency, solar technology and bio-gas energy.
The school has partnered with SELCO India, the 2014 Small and Medium Enterprises finalist, that uses renewable energy for alleviating poverty, to build a solar powered 'green amphitheater' as a means to enhance its music and dance-focused curriculum.
SELCO will also install a solar powered mini-grid to power the school's classrooms and hostel facilities. KSV has commissioned SELCO to undertake an energy audit prior to the solar installations, with a second energy audit planned post-installation to compare savings.

The winners and finalists of the Prize were announced during the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize earlier this year as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
"Winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize has given us the funding we so urgently need to meet KSV's energy requirements and provide our students with quality education facilities," said Naveen Jha, president of the managing committee of KSV.

"We are delighted to partner with SELCO, a trusted name in solar energy solutions, to bring this venture to life. This project will instruct and inspire our students towards a more sustainable way of life - the students of today will be the inventors of new green technologies tomorrow," Jha said.

SELCO's founder Harish Hande said that KSV's mission of using renewable energy to empower economically deprived students matches closely with SELCO's philosophy of driving energy access in underprivileged societies to enhance livelihoods and improve the quality of life.
"We are excited to join hands with KSV and the Zayed Future Energy Prize to make this project a reality," Hande said.
Speaking about the partnership, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, director general of the Zayed Future Energy Prize said: "The partnership between KSV and SELCO is a true demonstration of how ADSW has fast become a centre of gravity, bringing individuals and institutions committed to sustainability together for a greater cause. This project will transform the lives of KSV's students and the wider community by providing much-needed access to energy and water."

The Zayed Future Energy Prize is a USD 4 million prize awarded annually to companies, schools and individuals that have made significant contributions to the future of energy and sustainability.