Rajesh Patel

An Indian engineer who developed affordable solar energy storage systems to bring clean power to off-grid rural communities.

Rajesh Patel is the creator of Surya Energy Tech, a startup specializing in low-cost solar storage batteries. His breakthrough came in 2022 with the invention of the 'SunCube,' a portable battery that stores excess solar energy at 1/3 the cost of traditional lithium-ion alternatives. Patel's innovation uses recycled materials and decentralized manufacturing, making it accessible to India's 300 million rural residents without grid access. By 2025, Surya Energy Tech had deployed systems in 5,000 villages, reducing kerosene dependency and carbon emissions. Patel's work was featured in Nature Sustainability, and his team collaborates with NGOs like Ashden to scale globally. His TEDx talk "The Future of Solar Energy for All" has garnered over 2 million views.