Reports
September 2024
This sector-defining research spotlights the gap in access to life-changing, off-grid solar appliances for millions worldwide. The report features Oorja's Irrigation-as-a-Service model as a crucial tool to transform the lives of smallholder farmers in India by making sustainable irrigation affordable and accessible.
August 2024
From reaching over 120 on-farm solar projects impacting nearly 30,000 beneficiaries to expanding our team to 72 passionate changemakers, 2023 was a year of incredible progress. We secured $1 million in impact funding and welcomed mission-aligned investors to our board. We won the prestigious 60 Decibels Off-Grid Energy Top Impact Award and the Startup Energy Transition Award for Quality Energy Access and SDG-7. We presented our pioneering and inclusive Farming-as-a-Service model at COP28 in Dubai.
July 2024
WE4F's 2023 Annual Report has highlighted Oorja's gender mainstreaming and digitisation efforts. Our innovative use of digital technologies, including smart metres, digital payment systems, digital flowmeters, and remote monitoring features, has revolutionised pay-per-use solar irrigation operations. WE4F supported us in developing and implementing our Gender Mainstreaming plan in 2022. Since then, we have tripled the proportion of women customers from 5% to 15%.
June 2024
The report highlights Oorja's innovative Pay-Per-Use business model, which bridges the energy access gap by making solar-powered irrigation affordable for smallholder farmers. Farmers can now access timely irrigation without the expense and labor of diesel pumps. Our model turns solar pumps into a service, providing year-round irrigation and additional services like solar milling to maximise the utilisation of the energy generated from our solar installations.
March 2024
Over the past four years, 60 Decibels interviewed 79,000+ customers of 160+ energy organisations from 30+ countries to hear their experiences with energy access. They also surveyed Oorja's irrigation customers in Uttar Pradesh, India. This report provides a deep, bottom-up analysis of data to share key insights about what it means to own a modern off-grid energy product: the impact on access, behaviours, and quality of life.
Locally-owned Oorja Solutions has used human-centred design to put the customer – at the centre of every stage of the development of their services. The community is involved in identifying the problems they face, developing solutions, and customising them based on different needs. They hire their customer-facing teams directly from the communities they work in.
October 2023
In this Good Practice Note, published by Agricultural Extension in South Asia (AESA) Argha Ghose and Ankur Singh discuss Oorja's evolution and how it has created significant social, economic and environmental impact by strengthening farmers’ livelihoods, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable agriculture.
September 2023
BASE Foundation has launched a training manual for cold storage operators. Co-authored by Oorja along with Koel Fresh, CoolCrop and ColdHubs, the manual is a comprehensive and accessible guide that consolidates essential information for maintaining top-quality food standards.
September 2023
60 Decibels conducted an external impact assessment to assess the satisfaction level of 277 Oonnati irrigation customers across 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. The report covers various parameters to including usage, experience, consumer protection and impact.
September 2023
60 Decibels conducted an external impact assessment to assess the satisfaction level of our Oonnati pump operators based in 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. They conducted telephonic interviews with 28 such jobholders - 48 percent of whom have been working with Oorja for more than a year. The report covers various parameters to measure the impact of Oorja in their personal and professional lives.
September 2023
Food waste has been a major issue in India due to the lack of cold storage facilities. As of 2022, an estimated 40% of the food produced in the country was wasted. This report studies the gap in the cold storage infrastructure and emerging solutions to address the issue. The report acknowledges the role of Oorja's Cooling-as-a-Service model in the strengthening the food systems through its cold storage infrastructure.
September 2023
Ren 21 has acknowledged Oorja's CEO and Co-founder Amit Saraogi for his contrbutions to the Renewables 2023 Global Status Report: Economic and Social Value Creation. The report explores the wide range of benefitsthat renewable energy can offer beyond the supply of energy. From the job creation opportunities that breathe life into local economies, to building up local supply chains that foster a participatory society, the evidence in the report illustrates how energy, economic growth and social progress are not competing forces.
September 2023
Ren 21 has acknowledged Oorja's CEO and Co-founder Amit Saraogi for his contrbutions to the Renewables 2023 Global Status Report: Energy Supply. The report delves into the intricacies of renewable energyprogress, examining the distribution of energy among carriers and addressing critical obstacles.
March 2023
There is a rapid evolution of agtech startups involved in irrigation in India. We highlightkey emerging trends for these startups: transitions from hardware sales to software
sales and services; bundling with other agricultural products and vertical integration;
and varied partnerships to reduce customer acquisition costs. With increased global
focus on the use of data to add value for irrigating farmers, we expect domestic and
international growth opportunities for Indian startups that can leverage partnerships
to scale quickly.
March 2023
Nearly half of India’s agriculture is irrigated, making it an ideal testbed for irrigated agtechbusiness models. We see an increasing number of entrepreneurial ventures seeking to make an impact in the agricultural water sector to support smallholders. However, little information exists about the irrigation business ecosystem, limiting the ability of entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to understand challenges and take full advantage of opportunities. In order to address this, we identified and mapped startups and other stakeholders within the ecosystem.
March 2023
With ever-changing global climatic conditions and growing demand for sustainable food production, cold chain technologies are critical for improving food security, reducing food waste, enhancing farmers' livelihoods, and supporting adaptation to climate change. These technologies enable the safe and efficient transport, storage, and distribution of perishable goods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, fish, and meat. The report offers insights into current cold chain infrastructure, existing business models, market gaps, and potential interventions that can help meet the cooling needs of first-mile farmers and vendors across four value chains: Fresh Fruits & Vegetables (FFV), Meat, Dairy, and Fish Value Chains by 2030.
June 2022
This report explores the immediate impact of the CatalyzeTech project supported by the SELCO Foundation and implemented by Oorja Development Solutions India Private Limited. The project, which was implemented in the Spring of 2022, aimed to train 500 smallholder and marginalised farmers in modern and sustainable agronomic practices to increase their agricultural productivity and subsequently income.
March 2022
Nearly 75% of the economically active women in India are engaged in agriculture, out of which one-third are cultivators and around half are agricultural laborers. The agricultural sector in India contributes to 14% of the GDP and is an essential source of economic growth, employment, poverty reduction, and food security. Women farmers are involved at every stage of agriculture, from crop production to harvesting to management, and are involved in the production of 60-80% of India’s food, thus forming the economic backbone of the rural community.
Research
Beath et al. (2021) , Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition
Data from residential users of Oorja's solar micro-grid in Sarvantara, Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh were used to build demand profiles of rural users. The study investigated the benefit in terms of emissions and cost reductions of incorporating health centres as 'anchor loads' within solar micro-grids in India. The modelling indicates integrating rural health centres to domestic mini-grids reduces unit cost and unit CO2 emissions intensity. At 95% of energy demand met, using solar PV and batteries, the unit cost reduces by 30% for smaller and 53% for larger health centres integrated.
Chambon et al. (2020) , Renewable Energy
This paper presents a techno-economic feasibility case study of biomass gasification in off-grid and grid-connected mini-grids for community-scale energy application in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. Energy demand data was collected by Oorja through surveys in a village with irrigation and agro-processing loads and off-grid households. Solar PV was found to be a cheaper electricity source than biomass gasification. The findings held across grid-connected systems with weak, moderate and strong reliability of grid supply.
Sandwell et al. (2016) , Energy for Sustainable Development
In this paper, Oorja's founders teamed up with researchers to survey BoP rural households in Uttar Pradesh, India. The survey aimed to analyse access to and usage of modern and traditional energy sources. It found that a typical household with kerosene lamps only for lighting spends INR 3243 (US$50.67) and emits 381 kgCO2eq per year.
Media Archive
October 8, 2024 - MIT Solve
Oorja has been named one of the top 6 climate-tech companies globally at the 2024 MIT Solve Challenge Finals in New York City. Learn more here...
September 5, 2024 - The Philanthropist
Clementine Chambon and Amit Saraogi co-founded Oorja in Uttar Pradesh, India to help poor farming communities. And while they take a market-driven entrepreneurial approach, philanthropy still plays a key role. Read more here...
August 1, 2024 - PV Magazine
Oorja has announced the successful close of its $1.5 million Pre-Series A funding round. Acumen, elea, Artha Impact, Echoing Green Signal Fund, PG Impact, 1to4 Foundation, and Swiss Re Foundation invest in Oorja. Read more here...
May 6, 2024 - Next Billion
Senior Manager Ankur Singh shares a detailed article favoring the Pay-Per-Use business model for its role in creating access to Productive Use of Energy (PUE) appliances in agriculture. Read more here...
March 26, 2024 - BBC Business Daily
Listen to Amit Saraogi as he speaks about the innovative Pay-Per-Use solar-powered cold storage service that allows farmers and traders to combat post-harvest food loss. Read more here...
December 30, 2023 - Impact Investors Council
CTO & Co-founder Dr. Clementine Chambon highlights Oorja's Pay-Per-Use model in creating energy access and impact among India's smallholder farmers. Read more here...
December 24, 2023 - Business India
The Business India magazine has featured the DCM Shriram AgWater Challenge cohort in its special annual issue on climate change. Read more here...
December 10, 2023 - COP28 UAE
Taking an ecosystem and entrepreneurial approach to enabling productive use of renewable energy technologies that support regenerative agriculture and agri-food value chains can fast track the just energy transition, improve livelihoods and build resilient food systems in the global south.
December 7, 2023 - International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum
Listen how Oorja's innovative 'Pay-Per-Use model' is making solar-powered irrigation affordable and easily accessible for last-mile communities. Learn more here...
November 14, 2023 - Start Up Energy Transition
Let us look at the social impact start-up from India that is helping smallholders achieve more financial independence as well as lowering their carbon footprint. Read more here...
Affordable Solar Energy Sources for Low-Income Farmers
July 28, 2023 - AVPN
This case study explores how Oorja is making clean energy accessible to low-income and marginalised farmers through its affordable solar farming services. Read more here...
July 19, 2023 - AVPN
This case study focuses on Oorja’s Climate-Smart Farmer Advisory that provides training to smallholder farmers on modern and sustainable agronomic practices. Read more here...
June 20, 2023 - Start Up Energy Transition
Several studies suggest that female-led ventures show a robust commitment to social responsibility, surpassing their counterparts that lack women in founding teams. Read more here...
June 15, 2023 - Global Warming Mitigation Project
CEO Amit Saraogi and Senior Manager Ankur Singh answer some of the most pressing questions mobilizing young climate enthusiasts into the Climate Action workforce. Read more here...
May 30, 2023 - Energetica India
Clementine was featured in an interview focusing on Women Influencers in the May 2023 edition of the Energetica India Magazine. Read more here...
April 26, 2023 - Mercom Communications India
Mercom India announced the awards under eleven categories, recognizing the exceptional work helping drive the country forward in its energy transition.
November 23, 2022 - Impact Alpha
As Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship celebrates 25 years of accelerating and accompanying social enterprises worldwide, we asked agents of impact to look ahead to the next 25 years and share their thoughts on the future of this sector.
Oct 17, 2022 - World Bank
This report aims to survey the outlook for the off-grid solar market and interventions needed for the sector to achieve its full potential impact.
Oct 11, 2022 - SoPact
Oorja partnered with Sopact through the Miller Center in order to measure and manage their social impact.
Sept 30, 2022 - Saur Energy International
For India’s solar energy sector, across the chain of generation, distribution and last mile work, hundreds of startups have taken birth.
Read more here...
Sept 15, 2022 - Krishi Jagran
These startups will be supported by MANAGE and Samunnati beyond awards and recognition. An investment meet is planned for the startups.
Sept 15, 2022 - The Hindu Business Line
Oorja Development Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Agrograde, and Nimble Growth Organics were among the 32 winners of the ‘MANAGE-Samunnati Agri-Startup’ awards for 2022.Sept 15, 2022 - Samunnati
Preeti Kumari, Project Associate at Oorja, accepts the MANAGE-Samunnati 2022 Agri-Startup National Award.
Aug 6, 2022 - Energy Review Newsletter
Oorja Development Solutions piloted a decentralized cold storage unit in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar (India) on a “Cooling-as-a-Service” business model where smallholder farmers can store their produce on a pay-per-use basis without any upfront cost for technology acquisition.
Jul 29, 2022 - REN 21
Our versatile CEO, Amit Saraogi has been acknowledged for his valuable contribution to Renewables 2022 Global Status Report. REN21 is the only global community of renewable energy actors from science, academia, governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry across all renewable energy sectors.
Jul 27, 2022 - Mass Challenge Convention
Dr. Clementine Chambon shared some insightful discussion featuring cutting edge of business, technology and social impact about climate tech industry.
June 30, 2022 - data.org
Pilot projects were launched in India in partnership with three local cooling companies, and the efforts are already being expanded to Nigeria, with plans to expand to yet further geographies and to new sustainable agriculture technologies. The mobile app was tested on the fields with end-users and feedback was integrated into the development roadmap.
Read more here...
May 30, 2022 - Saur Energy
They both are part of a new wave of innovation showing how clean energy can power up entrepreneurship
May 27, 2022 - Saur Energy
The shortlists for the annual Ashden Awards highlight a new crop of grassroots renewable energy solutions
May 22, 2022 - Energy Review Newsletter
Oorja's Project Associate, Preeti Kumari wrote an article for the latest issue of Energy Review. The article highlights the requirement to scale low-cost, decentralized small capacity refrigeration units Read more here...
May 13, 2022 - CEEW
The CEEW report captures a case study on Oorja's pioneered "Cooling-as-a-Service" business model to provide decentralized cold storage solution "Oonnayan" to smallholder farmers for storing perishable produce.
May 16, 2022 - Ashden
A new wave of innovation shows how clean energy can power up entrepreneurship and inclusive development across low-income nations, creating opportunities even in the most marginalised communities.
May 16, 2022 - Ashden
The annual Ashden Awards focus on cutting-edge initiatives that are both green and fair – that deliver climate justice, create good jobs, train people in green skills, and cut carbon.
May 16, 2022 - ESI Africa
Eight African climate innovators from low carbon enterprises are among 11 organisations from across the world showing how clean energy can power up entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
May 16, 2022 - Farmers Review Africa
An impressive new wave of climate innovators are revealed today at the Humanitarian Energy Conference (HEC) 2022, ahead of the opening of the Sustainable Energy for All Forum this week in Kigali, Rwanda.
Feb 15, 2022 - Deloitte USA
Delloite's D2i Fellowship Team partnered with Oorja to streamline and formalize its internal process, develop a clear and focused growth strategy.
Feb 15, 2022 - CLEAN
The paper has highlighted the gender mainstreaming plan and the successful fundraising of Oorja.
Feb 8, 2022 - SEIF
At SEIF, we are always excited to hear from entrepreneurs after their participation in the Tech for Impact Awards. Today, we give the word to Clémentine Chambon, CTO & Co-Founder at Oorja, who was granted the Awards for Scalable Solution from SEIF in 2021.
Feb 7, 2022 - Down to Earth
Preeti Kumari, DRE Project Associate of Oorja Development Solutions, a Delhi-based off-grid solar services provider, comments on the 2022-23 Union Budget’s financial assistance to border villages to establish decentralised RE projects under the Vibrant Village Programme.
Dec 15, 2021 - International Institute for Sustainable Development
Oorja's CTO Dr. Clementine Chambon has provided valuable inputs to the guidebook for state policy makers on maximizing the social and environmental benefits from solar pump schemes. Oorja's pay-per-use model has also been featured as an alternative pump ownership model.
Dec 3, 2021 - Good Food
Clementine Chambon recently raised $1million for her company Oorja Solutions. She kindly joined our "Huddle for Foodies" to share her rich and practical insights on raising capital for purpose-driven food start-ups.
Nov 5, 2021 - Water & Energy for Food Grand Challenge
Preeti Kumari, Oorja’s Project Associate, shares the company’s experience as one of the #WE4FAsiaRIH innovators.
Nov 3, 2021 - Construction Week India
Our CTO Clementine joins in this panel discussion about the strategies India could pursue in the energy sector in its transition towards net zero emissions.
October 20, 2021 - Energy Institute
Excited to announce our 2021 Access to Energy shortlisters for the EI Awards: Earth Sparks International, Khethworks, KOKO Networks, Oorja Development Solutions Limited, and South Asian Forum For Environment!
October 12, 2021 - Mercom India
The company aims to deploy 121 solar projects, impacting 6,000 low-income households
October 12, 2021 - Saur Energy International
Oorja, a firm that describes itself as a Farming as a Service (FaaS) operating to connect agriculture and clean energy, has completed a US $1 million (Rs 7.5 crores) Seed funding round.
October 12, 2021 - PV Magazine
The decentralized solar solutions provider shall use the amount to scale up its pay-per-use, solar-powered irrigation, milling, and cooling projects for farmers and to expand its operations.
September 30, 2021 - Cisco Agri Challenge / The Nudge Foundation
Rita Devi always aspired to have a better life for the family and quality education for her children.
September 27, 2021 - Sankalp Forum
The 2021 edition of Sankalp Global Awards celebrates social entrepreneurs who are mainstreaming impact, are making a positive impact on society, gaining hands-on experience and networking with a global community. We are delighted to have Oorja as one of the Sankalp Global Awards finalists for 2021.
September 4, 2021 - Gaon Connection
What will agriculture in India look like in 2030? Will we finally be able to make farming profitable for all of India’s 130 million farmers? Or will the vast majority of small and marginal farmers continue to be left behind? The key to these answers lies in the growth of Agtech.
July 29, 2021 - BASE
Your Virtual Cold Chain Assistant (YVCCA) is an open source, data driven tool being developed by BASE that aims to provide smallholder farmers access to cold storage through the pay-per-use servitisation model. YVCCA will equip farmers with pre- and post-harvest expertise and market intelligence to secure the best possible price for their produce. Oorja has partnered with BASE as a local implementing partner of the YVCCA solution.
July 28, 2021 - United Nations
The UN Best Small Business competition, received 1,781 applicants. Following deliberations, 50 inspiring, diverse and impactful winners were selected, all of whom are working to improve access to healthy, sustainable and equitable food. Check out the winner profiles on the UN Community Page and on the VC4A website.
July 28, 2021 - The Tribune
Fifty small and medium-sized enterprises around the world have been announced as the Best Small Businesses of the ‘Good Food for All’ competition, held in conjunction with the UN Food Systems Summit.
July 7, 2021 - CLEAN
Over 100 million farmers in India rely on 9 million operationally expensive and polluting diesel-powered pumps for irrigation. They face volatile fuel prices, low pump efficiency, and frequent engine breakdown, amounting to high irrigation costs of INR 6,000-8,000 per acre per year. Diesel surface pumps often cannot draw water during the dry season (March to June).
June 28, 2021 - CLEAN
How can we promote productive uses of decentralised renewable energy among BoP rural consumers? Hear from our stellar CEO Amit Saraogi on the challenges we face and how we convince farmers to adopt solar-powered agricultural services, via CLEAN's #askanexpert series.
June 15, 2021 - REN21
Our CEO, Amit Saraogi, is a contributor to the world’s only crowd-sourced report on renewable energy, the Renewable 2021 Global Status Report (GSR). It covers policies, markets, and much more, while telling the most up-to-date global story on renewable energy.
June 7, 2021 - PV Magazine
Small and marginal farmers in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar are making productive use of solar energy to reduce their losses and increase income, thanks to an innovative pay-per-use cooling service for perishable horticulture produce.
May 17, 2021 - SEIF
The 10 finalists for the SEIF Awards 2021 Tech for Impact have been selected! Learn more about who they are and how their solution contributes to creating positive change below.
May 7, 2021 - Earth Day Network
Earth Day Network-India congratulates Oorja Development Solutions Limited, the Clean Energy Star for April 2021. Oorja is a Farming-as-a-Service (FaaS) company that finances, installs, operates and maintains distributed solar energy systems for productive use in the agricultural sector.
March 21, 2021 - Prabhat Khabar
March 8, 2021 - Cisco
Demo video for Oorja's Oonnati solar irrigation service in both English and Hindi.
March 8, 2021 - Life Size Media
In honour of International Women’s Day 2021, we’re celebrating the inspiring women who are pioneering clean technology and leading their businesses to success while contributing to a more sustainable future.
February 1, 2021 - Cisco
In rural India, 70 percent of people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Discover how the Cisco Global Solver Challenge 2019 Grand prize winner, Oorja, makes solar energy accessible to farmers in India.
Watch it here...
December 22, 2020 - University of New Hampshire
This case was examined as part of the Social Sector Franchise Initiative, a collaborative undertaking at the University of New Hampshire.
December 11, 2020 - Dainik Bhaskar
A meeting was held to improve storage of vegetables at the village level, wherein farmers were provided some important information about installation of solar projects.
Dec 5, 2020 - Prabhat Khabar
Delhi team reaches Bihar village Khemaipatti to explore storage of farmers' mushroom and vegetables
Nov 24, 2020 - TriplePundit
Founded by young entrepreneurs, Oorja provides solar-powered water pumps that allow smallholder farmers to transition away from using diesel for irrigation.
Nov 12, 2020 - Global Warming Mitigation Project
"It’s a no-brainer for farmers to move to solar,” says Clementine Chambon, Oorja’s CTO. In summer of 2020, Oorja was awarded a $25,000 Keeling Curve Prize in the Energy category."
Oct 16, 2020 - Down to Earth
A Delhi-based clean energy services firm provides solar power and irrigation facility, with flexible payment option, to returning informal workers in Uttar Pradesh.
Sept 22, 2020 - Renewable Watch
The decentralised renewable energy (DRE) segment is instrumental to advancing energy access in rural India. In these difficult times, we have shining examples of DRE enterprises standing tall to serve communities. A look at some of these enterprises members of CLEAN making a positive impact in rural areas of the country.
July 28, 2020 - Aspen Times
The 10 winners of the 2020 Keeling Curve Prize, an Aspen-based program that awards money annually to innovative global warming mitigation projects, were announced during a virtual awards ceremony Monday evening.
June 17, 2020 - REN21
Our CEO Amit Saraogi was recognized as one of the contributors in REN21's Global Status Report 2020 which mentions Oorja's unique business model of PAYG solar irrigation services for small and marginal farmers.
Read it here...
June 4, 2020 - India Inc.
Althea runner-up Clementine talks about coming up with new ideas and the need for business and academia to work together.
May 18, 2020 - Imperial College London
Here we meet some of Imperial’s entrepreneurial women who are at the forefront of creating a low carbon economy.
Mar 5, 2020 - Cisco
From Cisco Community Hero leaders to Global Citizen Youth Leadership Award winners, here are five women who are making a positive impact in the world.
Read more here...
March 3, 2020 - Renewable Energy (Elsevier)
Data from Oorja's team in U.P. contributed to this research publication which recently appeared in Renewable Energy journal. It compares the cost and CO2 emissions from solar PV, biomass gasification and diesel generation in mini-grids for productive energy use in rural India.
Jan 14, 2020 - Mercom India
Socio-economic development, an incidental contribution of the solar sector.
Nov 26, 2019 - Cisco
Providing a scalable and sustainable community-based solution to the irrigation crisis in India.
Nov 5, 2019 - Cisco
Today we are inviting Cisco partners to join us in supporting entrepreneurs who are using technology to address some of our world’s problems.
Nov 4, 2019 - CSRBOX
CSRBOX is India’s largest CSR impact-intelligence and partnerships platform, aimed at bridging the gap between social enterprises, innovators, product suppliers and the corporate. The platform showcases various products related to Education, Health, Sanitation, Solar, Energy etc. which could be useful in CSR projects and can be procured by companies.
Read more here...
Sept 24, 2019 - NextBillion
The agriculture sector is a major source of livelihood in India, providing income to more than half of the total workforce. However, it lacks the reliable energy sources it needs to act as a motor for poverty alleviation. This post is part of the NextBillion Series “New Frontiers in Renewable Energy” that explores the dynamic changes reshaping the sector.
August 28, 2019 - The CSR Journal
With the growing importance of CSR and participation on India Inc in national development, an urge to participate in the drive of solving India’s problems is growing. This claim is substantiated by the following tech start-ups that are aimed at solving the problems of the country.
August 27, 2019 - The Better India
Be it in a hospital or a college canteen, ideas for path-breaking innovations can strike you anywhere, at anytime. The win is in recognizing and following them through, as these individuals did to become changemakers of our society. These 8 tech startups are solving India's biggest problems.
Read more here...
Aug 7, 2019 - Forbes
Businesses have taken an active role in solving some of the world's biggest challenges through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. The recent Grand Prize Winner of one of these programs, Oorja, is an innovative solution to a growing problem in poverty-stricken India and is worth highlighting.
June 24, 2019 - India Inc.
Oorja CTO named among 100 Most Influential People in UK-India Relations in the 2019 list, which celebrates the contributions of women. She was named in the Social Changemakers category.
June 14, 2019 - SpringWise
The crowdfunded campaign would install community solar water pumps in India, providing cheaper, greener irrigation water. SpringWise presents innovations that matter.
Read more here...
June 14, 2019 - Mercom India
Oorja Development Solutions has won the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge for its community solar pumping systems implemented in rural India through the pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) business models.
June 14, 2019 - Saur Energy International
Oorja Development Solutions is the winner of the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge.
May 12, 2019 - Imperial College London
Oorja Development Solutions, a spin-out company from Imperial College London, is the winner of the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge.
May 27, 2019 - Sustainability Outlook
As part of our guest article series, Lanvin Concessao from Oorja Development Solutions writes about community solar irrigation model as a feasible alternative for marginal and small farmers, with the focus on productive uses of energy for livelihood improvement rather than household electrification.
May 27, 2019 - India Inc.
Solar irrigation solutions are the key to combatting energy poverty in India, notes a clean energy specialist.
May 26, 2019 - World Village Festival
How can we promote sustainable, democratic and affordable energy solutions in the Global South? PhD candidate Sini Numminen from Aalto University looks at the challenges and opportunities of solar power and off-grid power systems in providing electricity to rural areas in India, featuring a case study on Oorja.
May 22, 2019 - Imperial Business School
Former Ideas to Impact winning team Oorja, under the direction of Clementine Chambon and her team have just launched a crowdfunding campaign for their social enterprise, Oorja, to support a solar pumping project in Assam, India, to reach 120 smallholder farmers and their families.
May 20, 2019 - Cisco CSR
Today, in our third year of the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge, we are proud to be recognizing a new group of young entrepreneurs who are creating cutting-edge, technology-based solutions capable of solving some of the world’s toughest challenges.
May 8, 2019 - University of Cambridge
Dr Clementine Chambon, graduate of the Chemical Engineering department at the University of Cambridge and co-founder of Oorja, launches a crowdfunding campaign to bring affordable solar irrigation to empower rural communities in India.
Apr 29, 2019 - Cisco CSR
Cisco recognises teams using technology solutions to solve the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems.
Apr 26, 2019 - Keeling Curve Prize
Oorja has been selected as a Finalist for the Keeling Curve Prize under their Energy Access category. The Keeling Curve Prize recognises initiatives that offer solutions to reduce global warming.
Apr 26, 2019 - EarthX
Finalists for the 2019 Keeling Curve Prize range from projects that combine microsatellites and artificial intelligence to detect methane leaks, to solar-powered irrigation efforts for rural Indian farmers, to a worldwide climate education effort by churches.
Mar 29, 2019 - Oorja
Oorja's pitch for the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge 2019, wherein we present our community solar pumping service to help smallholder farmers move from diesel to solar pumping.
Mar 23, 2019 - Sustainabilitrip
Our CEO Amit explains Oorja's mission of providing affordable solar solutions, from electrifying small businesses to powering solar irrigation pumps to increase income and productivity in rural markets.
“Replacing diesel engines, using energy as a catalyst for economic development and creation of jobs, and combating climate change – these are the three core elements of our mission,” says Amit Saraogi.
March 8, 2019 - Sunrise
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2019, we’ve compiled a list of seven leading women in solar energy from the UK and India. Whether academics or entrepreneurs, they are all using their expertise to make a positive impact on the climate and bring solar technology to communities who would benefit from it the most.
Feb 25, 2019 - Power for All
Until recently, household electrification has been the focus of the energy access ecosystem by deploying solar lanterns and solar home systems (SHS). The maturity of this market coupled with increasing access to the electricity grid has led enterprises to look beyond households to reach new markets for powering productive energy uses and directly improving livelihoods. Oorja's Project Analyst Lanvin Concessao explains.
Dec 17, 2018 - YourStory
As of April 28, 2018, India’s villages were said to be 100-percent electrified. But what does that really mean? Some startups have taken on the mandate to make it a ground reality through their clean energy products.
September 20, 2018 - wPOWER Hub
The latest report from wPOWER Hub on best practices for accelerating access to clean energy among households, focusing on how to engage women across the clean energy value chain. Oorja's work highlighted in the case study on p. 50.
August 29, 2018 - Sun-Connect News
Althea runner-up Clementine talks about coming up with new ideas and the need for business and academia to work together.
August 23, 2018 - NextBillion
When India declared on April 28, 2018 that the grid had finally reached the last unelectrified village, it set off a wave of different reactions across the country. No doubt there were loopholes in the government’s “100 percent electrification” claim. But does this point to opportunities for renewable energy entrepreneurs in off-grid pockets?
July 2018 - New Statesman
Professor Philip Nelson, executive chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, says engineering industries can’t afford to let female skills go unnoticed. The contribution of women engineers such as our CTO are recognised in the July issue of New Stateman.
July 17, 2018 - Qui Est Vert
En cette fin de mois de juillet, nous vous proposons l’interview de Clémentine Chambon, une femme qui voue son métier à la lutte contre la précarité énergétique en Inde et à la transition énergétique.
May 22, 2018 - Imperial College London
Three researchers have been shortlisted for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship.
May 21, 2018 - Chemistry World
Oorja's CTO is the 2018 Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year for her work using solar and bioenergy to solve environmental, social and gender challenges in rural India.
May 8, 2018 - Royal Society of Chemistry
Our CTO Clementine was given the award for outstanding contributions to the entrepreneurial application of bioenergy to solving major environmental, social and gender challenges in rural India. Find out more about the other prize and awardwinners here.
May 8, 2018 - Imperial College London
Three Imperial academics have won prizes in this year’s Royal Society of Chemistry Awards, including Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year.
March 31, 2018 - EnergyNext
EnergyNext magazine recognises the efforts and achievements of women in the renewable energy sector in India. Read our interview with some of these women, including our CTO, in their March 2018 edition.
March 8, 2018 - The Times
Power supply through clean micro and minigrids is empowering disadvantaged people in remote areas of the world.
March 8, 2018 - Raconteur
Power supply through clean micro and minigrids is empowering disadvantaged people in remote areas of the world. This article highlights the work of SELCO Foundation, MeshPower, Gham Power, Fenix International, the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and others leveraging solutions that could play a significant role in promoting greater democracy of power supply and bringing people out of poverty.
February 27, 2018 - Amar Ujala
Local press coverage in local newspapers of Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, in Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala and Pioneer.
February 26, 2018 - Grantham Institute for Climate Change
To mark International Women’s Day, a Wikipedia ‘edit-a-thon’ has been organised at Imperial College London to create and improve Wikipedia pages about women in science. In this blog, equality advocate Dr Jess Wade, Research Associate in Physics, explains the rationale behind the project, and introduces some of the leading ladies in climate science, including Oorja CTO Clementine Chambon.
January 15, 2018 - Gandhi Centre for Inclusive Innovation
The Ideas to Impact Challenge is a unique platform that brings together university student teams from across the UK to present their innovative ideas to solve some of the big global challenges we face in our societies and positively impact lives of one million people. Oorja's co-founder explains why you should take the challenge in this video. Enter the Ideas to Impact Challenge 2018 here.
Watch it here...January 14, 2018 - Oorja
In June 2017, Oorja Development Solutions India deployed its first smart solar mini-grid in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. The mini-grid powers irrigation pumps and low-income households in an off-grid village.
November 30, 2017 - wPOWER Hub
Oorja is delighted to announce its partnership with wPOWER Hub, the Partnership on Women's Entrepreneurship in Renewables. Find out more about our joint endeavors in women-end enterprise through clean energy access from our CEO in this spotlight by wPOWER Hub.
November 15, 2017 - France Ô
Les Témoins d’Outre-mer is a daily show featuring sustainable development initiatives from around the world. Tune in at 45:50 to see Oorja's appearance.
November 10, 2017 - Imperial College London
Members of the Department of Chemical Engineering were recognised with two key wins at the 2017 IChemE Global Awards last week.
November 2, 2017 - Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Clementine Chambon, our CTO and a Bioenergy PhD candidate at Imperial College London, was awarded the Young Researcher Award for her work with communities in rural India at the IChemE Global Awards.
October 19, 2017 - Circul'R
Article by Chloe Lincoln on the energy-gender nexus, featured in the Circul'R blog, a leading network of circular economy startups and companies.
October 3, 2017 - Socialter
The Ecocircular team will spend a year meeting circular economy companies around the world, including Oorja in India, whom they interviewed in Paris in September. Their goal: to connect innovative projects to large companies, help them develop and inform as many people as possible about this new economy that sees each waste stream as a resource.
August 25, 2017 - Social Capital Markets
Oorja's CEO Amit is among the 2017 cohort of social entrepreneurs who were selected to receive scholarships to SOCAP17. This group includes 125 promising entrepreneurs who will be coming to SOCAP from 32 countries across the globe.
August 7, 2017 - Paris Match
450 millions d'Indiens vivent sans électricité. L'équivalent de la population de l'Union européenne ! A la tête de la start-up Oorja, primée par le « MIT Technology Review », Clémentine Chambon entend changer les choses. En fournissant de l'énergie verte et abordable aux ménages ruraux de ce pays qui, dans cinq ans, sera le plus peuplé de la planète.
Read more here [in French]...
August 4, 2017 - European Institute of Innovation & Technology
Oorja CTO Clementine interviewed by EIT Alumni Community as part of a series highlighting some inspiring and successful women in the community, to inspire a future generation of women entrepreneurs, and to create a buzz around the opportunities an entrepreneurial education can offer.
July 28, 2017 - Smart Villages
Competition was fierce in each of our photography categories: we received photos from over 200 people in more than 50 countries!
July 27, 2017 - The Week
Homes in UP's Sarvantara village have been electrified, thanks to a social enterprise startup.
July 21, 2017 - Amar Ujala
सात समंदर पार से आकर गांव में रोशनी फैलाई...
July 19, 2017 - Indo-German Energy Forum
In the scope of the German Energy Agency – dena’s Renewable-Energy-Solution Programme (dena-RES-Programm), IGEF-SO participated at the intelligent DC mini-grid inauguration in Sarvanta village close to Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.
July 17, 2017 - Your Story
सवा सौ करोड़ की आबादी वाले मुल्क यानी भारत में हर पांचवे में से एक व्यक्ति बिजली की पहुंच से दूर है। भारत के ग्रामीण इलाकों में अधिकांश आबादी बिजली की सुविधा से वंचित है या उन्हें पर्याप्त बिजली नहीं मिल पाती, जिससे उन्हें सामाजिक और आर्थिक विकास के अवसर नहीं मिल पाते और वे विकास की रेस में काफी पीछे छूट जाते हैं। इस स्थिति में उत्तर प्रदेश के सर्वांतर गांव में लगभग 100 घरों में आज बिजली की रौशनी चमचमा रही है। इसका पूरा श्रेय इंग्लैंड की एस्टीम्ड इम्पीरियल कॉलेज की स्टूडेंट क्लेमेंटाइन चैम्बन को देना चाहिए। जिनकी पहल से यह संभव हो पाया।
July 17, 2017 - Creatively Unsettled
An estimated 360 million to 460 million people in India have little or no access to energy. That’s roughly a third of the people in one of the world’s most populous countries, and more than the United States and Canada’s populations combined. In terms of these raw numbers, India suffers from the most extreme energy poverty in the world.
July 14, 2017 - NDTV
Clementine Chambon, a final year PhD student, has helped connet the homes with a mini eight-kW solar energy grid through her social enterprise start-up Oorja last month.
July 14, 2017 - The Better India
Co-founded in 2015 by Clementine Chambon & Amit Saraogi, Oorja aims to provide access to clean energy to 450 million people without access to reliable electricity in rural India.
July 13, 2017 - The New Indian Express
Clementine is the founder of start-up Oorja that provides electricity through mini solar grids.
July 13, 2017 - The Tribune
Nearly 100 homes in UP’s Sarvantara village have been electrified, thanks to an initiative by a student from the UK’s Imperial College.
July 12, 2017 - India Today
Nearly 100 homes in Uttar Pradeshs Sarvantara village have been electrified, thanks to an initiative by a student from the UK's prestigious Imperial College.
July 12, 2017 - Business Standard
Social enterprise Oorja Development Solutions India Pvt Ltd sets up eight-kW solar mini-grid to provide around 1,000 people with energy for affordable lighting, phone charging and fans to cool homes.
July 12, 2017 - Financial Express
Nearly 100 homes in Uttar Pradesh's Sarvantara village have been electrified, thanks to an initiative by a student from the UK's prestigious Imperial College. Read more here...
July 10, 2017 - Imperial College London
Clementine Chambon, a final-year PhD student in the Department of Chemical Engineering, is celebrating the successful installation of an eight-kilowatt mini solar grid in the village of Sarvantara, which is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.
July 1, 2017 - Gandhi Centre for Inclusive Innovation, ICBS
Oorja's pilot project and rural electrification research was featured in the July brochure of the Gandhi Centre for Inclusive Innovation. Based out of Imperial College Business School, the Gandhi Centre strives to help improve the performance of global businesses innovating in the social, gender, climate and healthcare sectors.
Read more here (feature) and here (full brochure)...
June 14, 2017 - PV Magazine
German company BOS has installed a smart DC mini-grid in the north of India in cooperation with local partner Oorja Development Solutions Ltd.
June 7, 2017 - Hindustan Times
Sarvantara, a village in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, was in the dark even after 69 years of Independence. But not any longer.
June 7, 2017 - Royal Academy of Engineering
Our CTO Clementine received the #FutureofEngineering runner-up prize of £5,000 from the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub and Entrepreneur First! This recognition was given to the most outstanding UK-based engineers using their skills to concretely address the challenges of the world.
June 7, 2017 - Deutsche Energie-Agentur
Im Rahmen des Renewable-Energy-Solutions-Programms der dena (dena-RES-Programm) wurde am 6. Juni ein intelligentes Gleichstrom-Mini-Grid in Sarvantara eingeweiht, einem Dorf in der Nähe der Stadt Bahraich im indischen Bundesstaat Uttar Pradesh. Mit Hilfe des Mini-Grids wird der Ort erstmalig mit Strom versorgt.
June 6, 2017 - Dainik Jagran
सोलर एनर्जी से रोशन होगा सरवंतारा गांव
May 31, 2017 - Smart Villages Initiative
Profile on energy entrepreneur Amit Saraogi by the Smart Villages Initiative.
May 30, 2017 - Thomas Reuters Foundation
A recent study in Science analysed the impact of solar mini-grids in Uttar Pradesh, India, finding that basic supply for lighting was not enough to boost savings, help launch new businesses or otherwise significantly improve people's lives. In this article for Reuters, our CTO Clementine Chambon suggests that larger clean power systems capable of providing enough energy to power businesses throughout the day are needed.
May 29, 2017 - Social Enablers
Our CEO Amit Saraogi has been hand-picked as one of the SE100 list of the most Inspiring Social Enablers around the world. This is a well-deserved recognition for his tireless commitment and leadership to bring social and environmental impact innovatively to BoP communities in rural India.
May 14, 2017 - Sendea
What would you recommend young entrepreneurs in Asia/Africa in the off-grid solar sector when they start to work: what is the most important skill or talent they need? Interview with Amit, CEO & Co-Founder Oorja Development Solutions (India)
May 3, 2017 - Sun Connect News
Interview with Oorja Ltd., Business Member of Sun-Connect News, the leading news platform for the off-grid energy sector. Oorja's CEO Amit Saraogi discusses the need for an integrated energy policy to bring clean energy access to over 235 million people in communities in rural India and discusses their upcoming pilot launch in June 2017.
Read more here...February 25, 2017 - Hello Tomorrow
Oorja was a finalist in the Energy track at Hello Tomorrow in Paris in 2016.
April 10, 2017 - Rohan Potdar Creative Media
Creative Media's mission is to use storytelling for social good. This week's Live Hangout featured the co-founders of Oorja on Creatively Unsettled, a blog that helps entrepreneurs and investors tell their social good story.
Listen here...
March 24, 2017 - Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs Podcast
Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs is a podcast series where Fergal Byrne interviews changemakers and thinkers from around the world – exploring particular challenges they face and lessons and insights as they grow – to share with and inspire other social entrepreneurs.
Listen here...
March 21, 2017 - EcoRéseau Business
Cette Franco-Allemande polyglotte de 24 ans qui fait ses études à Londres s’apprête à révolutionner l’énergie dans les campagnes indiennes.
Read more here... [in French]
January 31, 2017 - Soon Soon Soon
Our CTO Clementine shares her vision of a new world order with universal access to affordable and clean energy to alleviate poverty in this interview.
Read more here... [in French]
November 24, 2016 - Mass Challenge UK
MassChallenge UK, the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet, today announced the top 20 startups from its 2016 cohort of 100 startups. These 20 startups were selected by a panel of expert judges who evaluated each startup based on their impact and potential for success. The top 20 represent the top 1.5% of startups out of the over 1,300 applicants to MassChallenge UK this year. The Finalists will be present at the Mass Challenge 2016 Awards on January 18, 2017.
Read more here...
November 18, 2016 - Social Entrepreneur
In Episode 127, Amit Saraogi and Clementine Chambon discuss their vision of electrifying rural India using waste. Oorja’s biomass and solar-powered micro-grids will soon provide affordable and reliable electricity to off-grid communities in rural India. This podcast is part of the series 'Five Clean Energy Social Enterprises'.
November 17, 2016 - BearingPoint Blog
Clementine Chambon discusses Oorja's work using a hybrid solution to electrify rural India, as well as her vision for women-led entrepreneurship.
October 17, 2016 - Red Magazine
Every year, Red Magazine's Women of the Year awards draw attention to celebrate the achievements of women in the UK. Our CTO Clementine Chambon was named as one of the "Women to Watch" this year for her entrepreneurial achievements.
September 19, 2016 - CEB News
News from Clementine Chambon, graduate of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) at the University of Cambridge...
August 19, 2016 - Radio Europe1
Michel Grossiord interviews young people driving change in entrepreneurship, sports and culture. Today he interviewed our CTO Clementine Chambon...
Listen here... [in French]
July 3rd, 2016 - La Chaîne Info (LCI)
"Tous Acteurs du Changement", a series on social innovation on LCI Matin Week-end, held an interview with our CTO Clémentine Chambon on 3rd July that was presented by award-winning journalist Sylvia Amicone on French news channel La Chaîne Info (LCI).
May 6, 2015 - Radio France Inter
Our CTO Clementine discusses Oorja's plans for rural electrification and combating climate change through innovative hybrid mini-grids.
April 26, 2016 - Innovators Under 35
Clementine Chambon was selected Social Innovator of 2016 for her company, Oorja Solutions.
April 20, 2015 - Madame Figaro / Le Figaro
Ten French innovators were rewarded on 13th April by MIT Technology Review, which highlights the most innovative start-ups launched by entrepreneurs under 35. Among them, three talented women who are plan to make their mark on the world
Read more here [in French]...
April 20, 2016 - The Good Life
La nouvelle tête des énergies green, c’est elle. Son combat pour l’accès à l’électricité verte dans les régions rurales vient d’être récompensé de deux prestigieux prix décernés par le MIT : « Innovator Under 35 France 2016 » et « Social Innovator of the Year ».
April 18, 2016 - Green News Techno
Oorja is awarded Social Innovator 2016 by MIT Technology Review...
April 14, 2016 - MIT Technology Review
Our CTO Clementine Chambon was named as one of 10 Innovators Under 35 in France by MIT Technology Review. Oorja was awarded Social Innovator of the Year during the award ceremony held in Paris.
April 14, 2016 - L'Atelier
Prizewinner of MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 France, Clementine Chambon has developed a hybrid technology solution to electrify rural India with renewable energy. Through Oorja, her team aims to contribute to India's economic and social development.
April 14, 2016 - Le Monde
Every year, MIT's prestigious publication MIT Technology Review highlights the best innovators under the age of 35 in several countries, including France. The fourth French edition of the awards, which was held yesterday in Paris, rewarded ten young innovators: seven men and ten women. Of these, two special prizewinners were announced, including the "Social Innovator of the Year" award for Clementine Chambon, co-founder and chief technology officer at Oorja.
December 2015 - Imperial Magazine
A bright idea can take you across the globe, says Imperial College PhD Scholar and winner of the first Althea-Imperial prize, Clementine Chambon.`
November 27, 2015 - Imperial College news
Four teams of students from Imperial College London have won a start-up competition to help tackle global poverty. Supported by Imperial College Business school, the teams will travel to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India to participate in the second Global Action on Poverty (GAP) summit.
November 12, 2015 - WISE Campaign
Clementine Chambon shortlisted for the WISE Tech Start-up Award, an annual award granted by WISE, a campaign to promote women in science, technology and engineering.
Agriwaste to energy
October 2015 - Pure & Eco India
In rural India, 45% of households are off-grid and lack access to modern energy. After darkness falls, shops must close, women travel long distance to collect firewood and face an unsafe journey home...
July 27, 2015 - The Times of India
We are currently building a prototype and expect to deploy the first biomass-to-energy plant in Bahraich district, UP in 2016.
July 21, 2015 - IDEX Accelerator
IDEX exists is so that we can prepare and train young professionals to have meaningful careers that make an impact in the world. IDEX's alumnus Amit Saraogi ('13) shares his success as a social entrepreneur since completing the IDEX Fellowship.
July 13, 2015 - The Huffington Post
Last month, Echoing Green announced the 14 recipients of the 2015 Climate Fellowship, built in partnership with The ZOOM Foundation. This Fellowship, which recognizes emerging social entrepreneurs working around the world, is specifically targeted for next-generation leaders committed to working on innovations in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Read more here...July 8, 2015 - Imperial College London
An Imperial student has received a Fellowship to support her project to deliver affordable electricity to rural communities in India.
May 19, 2015 - Imperial College London
Recognition for Chemical Engineering PhD student Clementine Chambon for her renewable energy start-up company Oorja.
May 1, 2015 - The Times of India
A four-member team that offers to electrify UP villages affordably is arriving for a field study in Bahraich on Friday, where the pilot project will take place.
