The Solar School Company

The “Solar School Company” is a network of educational institutions across India who –
1. Generate and utilize electricity through a solar PV system
2. Utilize the solar PV system as a teaching tool to increase awareness amongst the youth
3. Offset a large portion of thermal power consumption resulting in substantial annual savings in
their power bills
4. Spur the growth of a more environmentally aware and responsible younger generation
5. Equip teachers to foster environmental literacy

This idea has been developed by SM Renergy (P) Ltd (SMR) in light of increasing electricity tariffs for educational institutions in India and the plummeting costs of solar PV across the world. While most solar EPCs and developers are focused on pursuing commercial and industrial establishments to adopt solar PV, SMR is keen on creating an impact at educational institutions through awareness and substantial electricity bill savings.

Our aim is to equip every educational institution in India to provide meaningful learning experiences to students in the field of renewable energy. Therefore, the purpose of the Solar School Company is threefold –
1. To coordinate efforts to promote solar PV in educational institutions;
2. To aggregate and consolidate current and future solar resource development; and
3. To amplify the successes of solar PV in educational institutions and act as a unified voice for a
national solar movement.

Solar PV is synchronous to educational institutions
The hours of operation of a solar PV plant and the peak loads of an educational institution are synchronised (8am - 5pm). In fact, most educational institutions (if not residential) culminate at 4pm everyday. The surplus energy (during holidays) can be exported to the grid and will be reduced from the overall consumption of the educational institution.

The graph below shows the typical daily load of a school against the daily generation of energy from a solar PV plant –

Ways to incorporate solar PV at a educational institution

Option 1 – Installation for education purposes
Educational-only installations are systems that are installed strictly for educational purposes, and not intended to save the school money or lower energy usage.

These systems work great for schools/colleges that don't have an ideal roof available, or favourable prevailing electricity tariffs for solar.

Option 2 – Installation for energy offsetting purposes
Energy off-setting installations, are installations that are sized strategically to off-set an educational
institutions energy usage and energy bills.

These systems save the educational institution substantial amounts of money and have a positive
impact on the environment.

www.fabindiaschools.org

The Fabindia School in Rajasthan is 100% solar

Benefits to the educational institutions
1. Substantial monetary savings per annum through reduced power bills;
2. Workshops and seminars organized by SMR for students of the educational institution explaining the intricacies and functionality of renewable energy technologies;
3. Helps record available resources and trains students to collect information systematically and ease the analysis process;
4. Benchmarks an educational institutions performance as an environmental manager; and
5. Affiliation to the “Solar School Company” platform gaining access to energy
#SolarPower #GreenSchool #MyGoodSchool #Sun #Schools

- Please contact Samay Mangalgiri by email samay@smrenergy.in

International Spiti Gold Solar Project 2013

After two successful years, The Gold Award Holders Society (GAHS) is happy to announce the Spiti Gold Solar Project 2013. We only accept limited numbers, and are happy to assist young people from all over the world. Gold Award Holders are most welcome and work with the Indian alumni; Gold participants will be able to complete the Residential Project and the Adventurous Journey.

Look forward to building the event of major significance and have the international community work with us for our YES (Youth Engaging Society) Projects. The office of GAHS India is  at New Delhi and the President of GAHS is the spirit behind Ecosphere (the partners for the Spiti Gold Solar Project 2013).

Welcome to write to us on sd@ebd.in for any further information.

The Indian Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh.
June 2013

Duration: 18 days
Route: Delhi - Manali – Spiti – Manali – Delhi
Maximum Altitude: 5000 mts.
Key features:  Volunteering on projects mitigating the impacts of climate change, Homestays, weekend excursions

During this journey you will be assisting the local community in construction of a solar bath. The volunteers will participate in the actual construction of the solar bath and the set up of a solar water geyser (Evacuated Tube Condenser) and will be assisted by a dedicated team of a qualified mason and representative from Ecosphere. The activity will entail physical work. The construction period will be 7 to 8 days. The trip is intermixed with work and pleasure. During this trip you will also be visiting some of the highest villages in the world, going on a high-altitude trek, visiting some ancient monasteries dating back to over a 1000 years and take a yak safari and mountain bike if interested. Traditional homestays further enrich the experience by giving one an authentic understanding of the life and culture in a Spitian home.

Significance of this Tour
The construction of a solar bath is of great significance in this region as great amounts of fuelwood, coal and wood is burnt for heating water which contributes to CO2 and black carbon emissions. The latter having far more damaging affects on the melting of glaciers and snow on a local level. Through the set up of a solar bath which includes both a passive solar structure as well as a solar water heating system, we enable the people to cut down on emissions (especially reducing black carbon) as well as enable them to have better hygiene through regular availability of hot water. 

Costs and more...
This is conducted in association with Ecosphere and EBD Educational Pvt Ltd, the cost for Indian Nationals is Rs. 36.000.00 thousand (from Delhi to Delhi). Foreign Nationals pay $ 750.00 (form Delhi to Delhi)

Costs including taxes for a group of 15 persons
-  All accommodation starting Day 2 to Day 15
-  Meals starting Day 4 dinner to Day 14 dinner
-  All bus/ jeep transfers Day 1 (with bus to Manali) to Day 15 (bus to Delhi)
-  Project support
-  Support staff on days required
Excludes: 
Mineral water and beverages (other than those provided), Monastery Fees, Tips, Insurance  and expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances 

Please Note:-
a) This is a carbon neutral trip. It is Ecosphere’s endeavour to generate minimum emissions on this journey and whatever emissions that we do generate are calculated and offset through investments in our in-house renewable energy projects within the region. These include construction of passive solar houses, green houses and investing in other sustainable renewable energy alternatives such as solar water heating systems, solar cookers, solar lighting, etc. 
b) A different kind of holiday - Ecosphere is a social enterprise and your travel with Ecosphere will contribute to the development and conservation of the region. Insights into the local development and conservation issues and a peep into Ecosphere’s initiatives 

Sign up Form online
You may want to simply fill the From shown below and or email us if you have trouble accessing the Form. Please email us at sd@ebd.in for early bird discount and more help.

PLEASE WAIT A FEW SECONDS THE FORM WILL BE HERE ASAP!

The Spiti Diary 2012

Spiti Report

9^th June 2012 to 12^th June 2012

The 15 day Gold Solar Project took off with an overnight journey to Shimla. All the participants were randomly divided into two groups to increase interaction among them and boarded two separate buses for Shimla. After reaching Shimla early in the morning the next day, we immediately took off for Kalpa in 3 separate taxis. Kalpa was our introduction to snow capped mountains. After an overnight stay in Kalpa, we left for Kaza, a part of the Spiti Valley the next day where we had an overnight stay as well. The next day we left for the Key monastery. After reaching the monastery in the later part of the day, we were given an informal orientation. Thus, after 3 days of travelling, we settled into our accommodation for the next 2 weeks. 

13^th June 2012 to 16^th June 2012

We started with our first day of work. The participants were divided into groups and each group was given a separate task everyday. The tasks basically included farma work, mud work, path work, tank work and tractor duties. The groups were so formed that participants from different institutions were clubbed together in a group to enhance inter-regional interaction.

17^th June 2012 to 20^th June 2012

We left for our 4 day trek early in the morning on the 17^th of June 2012. The first day was an 8km uphill trek to a village called Komik. It was indeed a difficult task for the participants as they weren’t acclimatised to high altitudes. After an overnight stay in Komik, we left for Demul the next day. This was a 12km uphill as well as downhill trek and we reached Demul late in the evening. The next day, we trekked upto the highest point called Bhalari. Later in the day, the villagers had organised a cultural event for all the participants. After staying overnight, we left for Lalung, a downward trek and visited the sarkang temple also.

We later left for the Key monastery.

21^st June 2012 and 22^nd June 2012

These were the last two days of our stay at the monastery. Much of the work being completed, we were left with only the plastering and painting and setting of the solar panel. This, according to the participants, was the fun part of the work. 

The completed Solar Bath was inaugurated by the King of the Spiti Valley in a ceremony held at the monastery. Later, the participants performed various skits and songs as a part of the “closing ceremony”. 

23^rd June 2012 to 25^th June 2012

The next day we left for Manali early in the morning. But, unfortunately, we got stuck due to a landslide and had to spend the night at a dhaba. The next day we crossed the landslide hit area on foot and went to the nearest bus stop sitting in the back of a truck. After the roads opened, we left for Rohtang Pass in our respective taxis but got stuck in traffic, again. We reached Manali in the evening on 24^th June and left for Delhi immediately. 

Spiti Gold Solar Project 2012

The 15 day Gold Solar project took off on 9th June 2012 from Shimla. The groups were randomly divided into two groups to increase interaction among them. After 3 days of travelling the participants settled into the Keyh monastery for the next 2 weeks.  On 13th June 2012 the participants started the first day of work. They were divided into groups and each group was given a separate task everyday which included farma work, mud work, path work, tank work and tractor duties. The groups were so formed that participants from different institutions were clubbed together in a group to enhance inter-regional interaction. On 17th the teams left for a 4 day trek early in the morning. The first day was an 8km uphill trek to a village called Komik. It was indeed a difficult task for the participants as it took some time to acclimatise to high altitude. After an overnight stay in Komik, the teams left for Demul the next day. This was a 12km uphill as well as downhill trek and they reached Demul late in the evening. The next day, participants trekked upto the highest point called Bhalari. Later in the day, the villagers had organised a cultural event for all the participants. After staying overnight, teams left for Lalung, a downward trek and visited the Sarkang temple also. Later they left for the Key monastery. The last two days during the stay at the monastery the teams did the plastering and painting and setting of the solar panel. This, according to the participants, was the fun part of the work. The completed Solar Bath was inaugurated by the King of the Spiti Valley in a ceremony held at the monastery. Later, the participants performed various skits and songs as a part of the “closing ceremony”. As reported by Surabhi Vaidya - volunteer and intern at IAYP

First Gold Holders' expedition to explore, preserve and build in Spiti

Tentative Dates: late August to early September, 2010. KAZA, Spiti

National Award Partner- Ecosphere and the Gold Award Holders' Society of India are proud to present a "Meaningful trek" exclusively for Gold Award Holders and Gold Award participants. This expedition spanning a total duration of 15 days will include 4 days of travelling, 5 days of active volunteering and 6 days of trekking and sightseeing.

Route: Delhi - Manali – Spiti – Manali – Delhi.

Maximum Altitude: 5000 metres above sea level.

We invite you to a different kind of holiday that makes travel meaningful through active discovery of the magic of Spiti valley while contributing to the development and conservation of the region. Home to some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries and temples in the world, this Trip provides an interesting insight into Spitian life, culture and Buddhist heritage along with the opportunity to be part of reducing the impacts of climate change. During this journey you will be assisting the local community in the construction of a solar bathing facility. You will participate in the actual construction of the solar passive structure and will be assisted by a dedicated team of a qualified mason and representative from Ecosphere. During the trip you will also be hiking along some of the highest villages in the world, across rolling meadows which are the grazing pastures of the local livestock and the hunting grounds of the Snow Leopard and Himalayan Wolf. Each village along this trail is adorned by unique and ancient Buddhist monasteries and temples dating back to over a 1000 years, encased in legend and folklore. The home stay accommodation along the trail further enriches the experience by giving one an authentic understanding of the life and culture in a Spitian home. Your hosts are the local people of Spiti, accommodating you in their homes to enhance your sojourn in Spiti.

Highlights

• A carbon positive trip where by building a solar bathing facility for the local community, you will help reduce carbon emissions and enhance health of the local people and also offset the carbon emitted on your journey to Spiti.

• Experience rural life in the Himalayas by living with the local community and becoming a part of their daily lives. This is one rare opportunity to learn about local cultures, agriculture, ecological and socio-economic issue first hand, while making tangible contributions.

• Make lifelong relationships with real people in one of the remotest corners of the Himalayas. A journey that makes you part of a family and the community as a whole, their day to day lives, their relationship with the environment, their daily chores, religious strivings, struggles and celebrations.

• Hiking deep into the vast open spaces of this rugged backcountry. A great way to learn about the ecology and bio-diversity that is nurtured amidst this unique desertscape.

• Visits the ancient monasteries dating back to over a 1000 years preserving a living Buddhist tradition till date.

• Get insights into the local development and conservation issues and a peep into Ecosphere’s initiatives to ensure the sustainable development of this Trans-Himalayan region.

Significance of the Project in this Trip

The construction of a solar bathing facility is of great significance in Spiti as large amounts of fuel wood, coal and LPG are burnt for heating water throughout the year which contributes to Carbon dioxide and black carbon emissions. The latter has far more damaging effects on the melting of glaciers and snow at a local level. Through the set up of a solar bathing structure, we will not only enable the local community to cut down on emissions (especially those of black carbon), reduce their fuel wood consumption and hence the money they spend on it per annum, as well as enable them (especially the women and children) to enhance their levels of hygiene.

Contact the GAHS Team at the National Office by July 31st with your confirmed participation and get more information. Come be a part of a historic effort to relive Award Journeys, share experiences and make a difference to your community. All while having a great time!