Friday, September 27, 2013: To train young entrepreneurs in solar energy, Selo Solar, a Bengaluru-based social enterprise will soon establish an incubation centre in Odisha, stated Harish Hande, its Founder and champion of renewable energy. The firm has initiated organizing introductory workshops for selection of interested youths in different districts of the state. They are selecting such youths, who are willing to work in the rural areas.
“The state government should withdraw 4 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) from renewable energy devices and spares to promote solar energy in Odisha, which has huge potential in this field,” The Times of India quoted the Magsaysay. The company will organize workshops in districts like Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Mayurbhanj.
Apart from this, he stated that absence of proper policy, poor designs of solar equipment and inadequate after sales services contribute to the reasons for poor response to solar power in the state of Odisha.
“The government should focus on policy interventions instead of selling equipment. Like Karnataka, we want the Odisha government to fund solar energy in rural areas through grameen banks. We are also planning to organize workshop of bankers after identifying interested entrepreneurs,” he added.
Harish Hande was successful in revolutionizing the use of solar power in the rural households of Karnataka.
