The twinkle in the eyes of children of Hipti, a beautiful village in lap of Himalayas, can't wait for sunrise to be seen. Solar panels and solar microgrid are coming to conquer the darkness of their lives by lighting up the village.

In Aug 2017, I plan to help illuminate remote village of Hapti near Leh, which is two days’ trek from nearest town. Along with other volunteers, I will light the centuries old remotest village, ending eons of darkness, by setting up solar panels, erecting iron poles for the wires and layout battery packs. The installed grid would be inaugurated by local villagers.

I am part of Global Himalayan Expeditions (GHE) 2017, which strives to bring safe, reliable and affordable electricity to remote mountain villages and communities in India's Kargil and Ladakh provinces that date back centuries. Making use of DC solar- energy storage microgrid technology developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) GHE has installed 95 highly efficient DC solar-energy storage microgrids (total 19.6 kW) in 22 villages since it launched its non-profit electrification program in 2014, including 2,000 LED light bulbs, 60 LED street lights and 36 LED TVs.

An IEEE Global Partner, GHE draws on the talent and skills of an IIT technical team in designing, engineering and installing its DC solar-storage microgrids, as well as LED lighting it manufactures. GHE's DC solar-energy storage microgrids are improving the lives, and livelihoods, of some 5,130 Himalayan community residents and counting. More than half are female.

The emissions-free electricity generated, stored and distributed by GHE's microgrids is also reducing the money villagers spend on kerosene — about 63 tones worth annually. That's reducing the villages' annual carbon gas emissions by 157 tons.

GHE has also trained 35 villagers as entry-level solar technicians — creating green jobs and greatly increasing the likelihood the village solar-energy storage microgrids will continue to operate and perform well for many years.

GHE has also set up two education centers and an E-Base online distance learning program that promote experiential education with curricula that revolve around themes of sustainable living and commercial enterprise, benefitting 1,200 students. It has created 15 mountain home-stays that are now electrified, benefiting villagers and trekkers alike. To date, that has boosted the income villagers earn from tourism by approximately $24,000.

Funds will go to GHE which will provide solar micro grid, panels, bulbs etc. as well as cover travel cost, getting travel gears and associated expenses.

More at http://ghe.co.in/press.html