Navitas Solar is a prominent solar module manufacturing company based in India. Founded in 2013, the company is known for its commitment to holistic well-being and sustainability. As a part of its commitment to social causes, it prioritizes education, skill development, and community empowerment while aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals. The company has also adopted 140 villages in South Gujarat and working towards holistic development of the communities therein.
In this interview with Vineet Mittal, Co-founder & Director Strategy at Navitas Solar, we delve into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and their impact on communities and the environment. We get a glimpse into their CSR endeavors, partnerships, and their dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.
Read the full interview for more insights:
Q. What is Navitas Solar's core business, and where is it located?
A. Navitas Solar is a leading solar module manufacturing company in India with a total manufacturing capacity of 500 MW per annum and expanding to 1.7 GW per annum. It specialises in polycrystalline and mono PERC solar modules ranging from 5 watts to 600 watts per panel. Founded in 2013 by young entrepreneurs Vineet Mittal, Sunay Shah, Ankit Singhania, Aditya Singhania and Saurabh Aggarwal, Navitas Solar is among the few solar module manufacturers in the country to have backward and forward integration. Its subsidiary Navitas Alpha Renewables Pvt Ltd manufactures EVA sheets to provide backward integration, while forward integration is provided by project execution & full-fledged EPC services for residential, commercial and industrial clients on rooftops as well as open access solar parks.Navitas Solar is based out of Surat.
Q. How does Navitas Solar communicate, forge symbiotic relationships with the communities it serves, and ensure that its CSR initiatives benefit both its business and the communities it operates in?
A. At Navitas Solar, we firmly believe that societal contribution is the true measure of a business’s success. Our CSR initiatives showcase our commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment. We are laying the foundation for a brighter and more equitable future with our CSR initiatives and we are committed to supportthe betterment for the local communities. Before undertaking any CSR initiatives, we work closely with the local communities to understand what their specific developmental needs are. Our CSR projects are undertaken based on the feedback we receive from the local community. This ensures that the initiatives benefit the local communities. By fostering close communication and forging symbiotic relationships, NavitasSolar is actively bringing qualitative changes in the lives of many.
Q. What are some of the specific CSR initiatives that Navitas Solar is involved in?
A. Navitas Solar is engaged in supporting various CSR initiatives. We have collaborated with EkalVidhyalayato focus on improving the lives of tribal communities through dedicated educational sessions that promote holistic well-being and help in giving up addictions. We have adopted 140 villages in Gujarat, underscoring our commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact.We have also planted 5000 trees in Pulwama Shahid Vann project in collaboration with Forest Creators. The initiative involves planting 40,000 trees and paying homage to the 40 soldiers who laid down their lives in the Pulwama terror attack. Recognizing the importance of skill development, we have joined hands with Anil Naik Technical Training Centre to empower school dropouts in villages in south Gujarat with skill training. Navitas Solar is the Centre’s industry partner for providing training as solar power technicians and supports the Centre with technical expertise in line with the latest developments in the solar power sector and also extends placement opportunities.
Q. Can you provide examples of how Navitas Solar's CSR initiatives have positively impacted the lives of underprivileged communities?
A. Our work in 140 villages of Gujarat to promote holistic well-being and support villagers in giving up addictions has resulted in many people quitting various harmful addictions like tobacco. The general health has improved as a result. Similarly, we have been able to support skill development with skill training among youths in the south Gujarat region. This has enabled the youths to find suitable employment opportunities and also helped the solar power industry in getting access to trained and skilled manpower.We have also launched a JYOTI initiative to sensitize the younger generation about mindful utilization of natural resources by making them aware of the environment, sustainability and carbon neutrality. The initiative touches upon the sustainable development goals of quality education, and affordable & clean energy. We have organized various industrial visits, lectures for the students and we are proud to announce thatNavitas Solar has sensitized over 2500+ students through the initiative. We have done many MOUs with academics and have done efforts to bridge the gap between industry and academics.
Q. In what ways does Navitas Solar prioritise education and skill development in its CSR efforts?
A. Education and skill development are among the priority areas when it comes to our CSR initiatives. We support students from financially weaker sections to improve access to education. We are also supporting schools with necessary financial support to improve infrastructure and facilities for students. Our association with Round Table Foundation, which provides care and education to underprivileged children at ashram shalas in rural areas, is an example of this. Our association ensures that children have access to education and a nurturing environment.
Q. What motivated Navitas Solar to adopt 140 villages in Gujarat for its CSR activities?
A. We have collaborated with Ekal Vidhyalaya and through that, we found out the concept of adopting villages of Gujarat for wellbeing of communities. We were motivated to adopt 140 villages in South Gujarat region especially as we felt the need to make a good impact on communities as our societal responsibility. We as an organization are fortunate play our part in societal community transformation via various initiatives.
Q. How does Navitas Solar's CSR approach align with the United Nations' sustainable development goals?
A. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are aimed at addressing various social, economic and environmental challenges. We have incorporated the SDGs into our CSR strategies by way of providing affordable and clean energy, economic growth initiatives, climate change measures, quality education, and many more. Every single CSR initiative we undertake is directly linked with one or more of these and other SDGs.
Q. Can you elaborate on Navitas Solar’s efforts to promote a greener future?
A. We are manufacturing solar modules, which can generate Green Electricity. We have received a ‘Silver” badge under ‘Climate Neutral Now’ initiative of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We are a Carbon Neutral Organization for the calendar year 2021 and for the year 2022, we are about to become one.
Q. What role does Navitas Solar play in empowering school dropouts through its partnership with Anil Naik Technical Training Centre?
A. We are the industry partner for Anil Naik Technical Training Centre to provide training as solar power technicians. We support the Centre with technical expertise in sync with the latest developments in the solar power sector. We have also extended placement opportunities for students coming out of the Centre. We have been able to financially empower scores of school dropouts in the many rural and remote areas of south Gujarat because of this skill training. The training opens new avenues for the candidates.
Q. How does Navitas Solar support underprivileged children's education in rural areas through its partnership with the Round Table Foundation?
A. Children in many rural areas do not have access to high-quality education. This is especially true for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The Round Table Foundation provides care and education to such children at ashram shalas. Many of the children living in its centres are orphans, who do not have any family support. The ashram shalas function as a school as well as a home for the children ensuring access to education and a loving and caring environment.
Q. Has Navitas Solar collaborated with any other social sector stakeholders? How can such collaborations expedite your efforts? Please elaborate.
A. We are working with many organizations. The first is the Round Table Foundation, with which we have collaborated to provide education and holistic growth opportunities to underprivileged children. Similarly, we collaborated with Forest Creators for our tree plantation initiatives. We have collaborated with Ekal Vidhyalaya for community well-being and we have launched JYOTI initiative in support with many academicorganizations. Each of these organizations has been working at the grassroots level for long and understands the ground situation and the developmental needs. They are specialists in their job and associating with them enables the CSR initiatives to have a greater and far bigger impact than it would if we undertake the projects on our own.
Q. What potential future developments or expansions do you envision for Navitas Solar's CSR initiatives and their impact on communities and the environment?
A. We are committed to supporting the local communities and empowering them in every way possible. We are eager to support more CSR initiatives in future that can help the local communities. Since we are in the business of renewable energy, we are already inti environmental friendly business and in future, we will try to expand our CSR initiatives at a larger scale.
