Most of us can't imagine a world without lights, refrigeration, air conditioning, and the ability to charge our cellular devices. For millions of people living in developing countries, electricity is a luxury they do not have access to; in Asia and India alone, there are nearly 600 million people who live without electricity.
A lack of resources, like electricity, disproportionately impacts women and youth. One reason is that women traditionally handle a majority of household tasks, which are made more difficult and time-consuming due to a lack of electricity. The lack also decreases educational, economic, and income-generating opportunities for women and youth as well. Women also face greater health risks because of the alternative energy sources they are forced to use, such as kerosene lamps. These challenges force many women, children, and families to migrate to urban areas, further perpetuating cycles of poverty and gender inequality.
Recognizing this lack, computer engineer, MBA holder, ultramarathoner, and entrepreneur Savitha Sridharan founded Orora Global Inc. to address energy poverty and ultimately promote equitable and sustainable development that empowers women, children, and families around the world. Driven by a vision to create lasting change, Sridharan transitioned from fundraising through nonprofits to founding Orora Global in 2007–2008.
Orora Global Inc. provides three impactful solutions. "We hire local women and train them in electronics so that they can build solar products," Sridharan shares. "By training local women in electronics and solar product assembly, we not only foster financial independence but also boost green job creation and sustainability within their communities."
Another key offering is the Orora Powerhub. It is a plug-and-play modular, solar-powered microgrid solution with off-grid storage. It can be installed in any remote community center to address the problem of non-existent or unreliable electricity adequately. Orora's versatile microgrid solution is designed to provide reliable electricity to community centers, homes, agricultural farms, and various industrial setups. The affordable Powerhub is central to not only providing electricity but also reducing carbon emissions and creating 25 permanent jobs per installation. Additionally, the Orora Powerhub can be adapted for use as a water pump, further enhancing its versatility.
Complementary to those products, Orora Global manufactures highly energy-efficient solar streetlights. They not only make communities safer, but they create economic opportunities. Orora's streetlights are also vastly more sustainable compared to traditional lighting solutions like kerosene. "Our solar street lights stand out for their exceptional energy efficiency. They are available in four wattages (3W, 5W, 7W, and 9W), and they produce the same amount of lumens as much higher wattage lights on the market. For instance, our 3W street light is equivalent to a 120W street light in the Chinese market." The revenue generated from the sale of Orora's carbon offsets is reinvested into further sustainability initiatives to light up rural communities.
Sridharan's impact on Orora Global Inc. extends beyond their physical installations. They are also continuing to co-design bespoke solutions with local communities to ensure relevance and sustainability. That community-centric approach has been instrumental in reducing migration from rural areas to cities by creating local employment opportunities and fostering resilient, self-sustaining communities. "In the villages of Kaliyampoondi, we have trained the women as solar technicians. We have rebuilt homes for more than 120 people. Now they are self-sustainable solar villages."
Orora Global has garnered international recognition, winning awards such as MIT's D-Lab Scale Up Fellowship and being named a Top Sustainable Community Cleantech Solutions, among many others.
Starting with pilot programs in India, Orora Global Inc. has plans for worldwide outreach. "To scale our impact, we're developing an online training program using a 'train the trainer' model. We virtually train a local trainer in Mexico, who then provides on-site training to the community."
While most people reading this can't go 24 hours without electricity, millions across the globe can't imagine having electricity at the flip of a switch. Orora Global Inc., led by Savitha Sridharan, is changing that paradigm by providing one solution and one village at a time. By envisioning a world where renewable energy is accessible to everyone, Orora Global is not only lighting up the world but positively impacting people's lives.
Learn more about how you can take part in Orora Global's transformative work.
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