Rajesh Mahato

Indian innovator who developed affordable solar solutions for rural electrification

Rajesh Mahato (born 1975) is a visionary engineer whose solar innovations have brought electricity to over 1.2 million people in India's remote villages. Founder of Surya Energy Solutions in 1999, he pioneered the Community Solar Grid model - decentralized solar systems managed by local cooperatives. His MicroGrid-in-a-Box technology reduces installation costs by 40%, enabling rapid deployment across 15 Indian states.

In 2003, Mahato developed the Solar-Powered Water Pump that uses 70% less energy than traditional models. This invention won the UN Energy Innovation Award and has been adopted by 20 African countries. His work with TERI Institute established the first solar-powered healthcare clinic in Jharkhand in 2008.

Mahato's Solar Literacy Program trains rural youth as solar technicians, creating 15,000 jobs by 2020. His TEDx Talk "Solar Energy for All" (2015) has 1.8 million views. In 2018, he launched the Solar Education Initiative, providing e-learning platforms powered by renewable energy to 500 villages.