A country's progress is measured not only by how much it produces but also how equally it distributes and how careful it is in saving, conserving and reducing consumption. Our energy production is centralized (mega hydro and thermal projects), and hence distribution has bypassed 100,000 villages that are still without electricity, and there are enormous losses in transmission. To top it all, we use inefficient devices.

Renewable alternatives produce energy in a decentralized way, in every village or city, and put us on the path of progress. By reducing the consumer-producer distance we automatically achieve more equitable distribution of benefits and costs

Illustrated Projects:

• Pedal Power Generator
• Bilgaon Micro-Hydro Project
• Solar Cooker

You are the ONE for INDIA, Join us!

1. An illustrative alternative developed by AID for lighting Village Schools by PEDAL POWER.

The Pedal Power Generator or Bijli Bike converts human power to electricity. A student pedaling can light up 2-3 classrooms using 11-18 W CFL lamps. AID conceived this idea for lighting village schools and supported developing a prototype in IIT-Bombay. After successful field testing they are being manufactured by Rashron Energy and Auto Limited, Vadodara and are available by mail-order to most states in India.

• Price: ~ Rs 7500.

• Concepts and Pictures
• User Manual [PDF Format]
• Discount from AID available for schools and NGOs. To order one contact ravi@aidindia.org

2. 15 KW Bilgaon Micro-Hydro Project lights every house of a tribal village.

Remote tribal villages on hills with waterfalls have natural energy to rotate a turbine and generate electricity, without displacement or environmental costs. Bilgaon, a village in Nandurbar District, Maharashtra with 12 hamlets, 180 families and a boarding school of 300 children has been in darkness even after 55 years of independence. Thanks to AID support (Rs 12,00,000), support from the school (Rs 50,000) and 2000 person-days of voluntary labour (shramdaan) put in by the villagers, they now have tube-lights in every house and school. Day time electricity will be used for pumping drinking water, creating a grain bank through community agriculture, nursery for afforestation and livelihood generation through small-scale enterprises. The projects was designed by People’s School of Energy, approved by the Chikali Gram Panchayat and implemented by Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre. The village people inspired by the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement) did not accept any funds for the enormous voluntary work they did from May 2002 to Jan 2003. It was inaugurated on the Sankranti day of Jan 14, 2003 and has received congratulatory messages from the Rural Developmemt Minister of Maharashtra.

Click here for details of this locally sustainable electricity.