Renewable Energy: Dr Shraddha’s solar tribute to husband Prabhat
Instead of feeling despondent over cutting of trees and environmental degradation, taking action is far better, said Dr Shraddha Agrawal
A few days after losing Prabhat to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Shraddha Agrawal, a gynaecologist associated with Government J P Hospital located in the heartland of Madhya Pradesh, decided to create a living tribute in his husband’s name.”So, I decided to connect renewable energy to his personality, allowing others to reach out or introspect on their connections with their loved ones and environment,” she said.
“Instead of feeling despondent over cutting of trees and environmental degradation, taking action is far better,” she added. “So, I donated and installed solar panels at a government hospital to utilize unused spaces, reduce the burden on trees, and save on monthly energy bills.”
When asked about her decision to commemorate her loved one with energy solutions that prioritize environmental sustainability, Dr Shraddha said, “Prabhat’s unwavering dedication to renewable energy was profound; it defined his career at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bhopal, and persisted long after his retirement. Thus, in his honor, I decided install solar panels on the rooftop, symbolizing his enduring commitment to a cleaner, greener future.”
Recently, the solar panels installed on the roof of Jaiprakash Hospital completed three years of operation. During this time, they generated about 58,818 units of electricity, saving the hospital Rs. 5.5 lakh in electricity bills. These figures were revealed in a review report released upon the completion of three years of solar panel usage.
According to the engineer managing the solar panels, if this amount of electricity were generated from a power plant, it would emit 32 metric tons of carbon dioxide and require burning 23 metric tons of coal in a thermal power plant. Additionally, producing this much energy would necessitate the felling of 31,000 trees.
This modest contribution holds high hopes in India, which has ambitious goals for renewable energy. According to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), India installed 13.7 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy in 2023, including wind, solar, and nuclear, compared to 16.3 GW in 2022. The report stated, “Our country needs to install 40 GW a year to meet its goal of installing 500 GW of clean energy—enough to power 51 million homes by the end of the decade.”
Although solar panels can withstand most weather conditions and require minimal maintenance, Dr Shraddha diligently takes care of them, drawing inspiration from Prabhat.
She recalled an incident Prabhat shared with her about the 2011 earthquake in Gujarat and its aftermath. Many countries rushed to provide aid, but three years later, Japan requested accountability for the aid they had sent to India. The Japanese government emphasized that the aid was funded by their citizens’ taxes and it was their responsibility to ensure its proper use.
Similarly, the Japanese government is involved in the Bhoj wetland project associated with Bada Talab (Upper Lake). Every few months, Japanese people visit to ensure the proper use of their citizens’ hard-earned money.
With each sunbeam (Prabhat means sunrise in Hindi) touching the solar panels on the hospital rooftop, Dr Shraddha’s small contribution towards global concerns shows the way forward.