Shweta Shinde

Indian social entrepreneur bridging energy poverty through decentralized solar solutions

Shweta Shinde is the founder of Surya Energy Hub, a social enterprise that has installed over 50,000 solar microgrids in rural Indian villages since its 2019 launch. Her innovative Pay-as-you-go model allows families earning under $2/day to access clean energy through mobile payments, eliminating the need for kerosene lamps and diesel generators.

Shinde's breakthrough came in 2022 with the development of SmartSolar Paks, modular systems that can power entire village clusters. These systems use AI-driven energy management to optimize battery storage and distribution, reducing costs by 35% compared to traditional solar setups. By 2023, her networks provided electricity to 1.2 million people across six Indian states.

Beyond energy provision, Shinde's initiatives include training local women as solar technicians through SuryaShakti programs. Over 1,800 women have been certified, creating sustainable livelihoods in regions with high unemployment rates. Her enterprise's gender-inclusive approach has been recognized by the UN Women's Empowerment Principles initiative.

Shinde's work aligns with India's Power for All 2025 target, receiving support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and German development bank KfW. Her TEDx talk How solar power is lighting up India's future has become a case study in renewable energy access strategies.