Sunita Chandrasekaran

An Indian clean tech pioneer who developed affordable solar energy solutions for rural communities, empowering millions with sustainable power.

Early Life & Vision

Sunita Chandrasekaran (b. 1978) grew up in rural Tamil Nadu, where energy poverty limited education and healthcare. After earning an engineering degree from IIT Madras, she co-founded Surya Energy Solutions in 2002 to provide cost-effective solar systems to off-grid villages. Her work was profiled in National Geographic's 'Women in Energy' series.

Innovative Solutions

Chandrasekaran’s flagship product, the MicroGrid Kit, reduced solar installation costs by 40% using locally sourced materials. By 2015, her company had electrified 150 villages in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, powering schools and health clinics. She also pioneered pay-as-you-go solar models, enabling households to afford energy through microfinance partnerships.

Global Impact

Her 2010 Ashden Award-winning Community Solar Hubs became a blueprint for Southeast Asia. Over 500,000 households now use her systems, cutting carbon emissions by 2.5 million tons annually. Chandrasekaran advises the Indian government on rural electrification and chairs the IRENA Women in Renewables Task Force.

Challenges & Advocacy

Despite facing gender barriers in male-dominated engineering sectors, Chandrasekaran’s Forbes profiled her as a 'Solar Powerhouse.' Her advocacy led to India’s 2019 Rural Electrification Act, which mandates solar integration in all new infrastructure projects.