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Nominee Information

Institutional Information
Member State India
Institution Name Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (Energy and Petrochemicals Department,Government of Gujarat)
Institution Type Public Enterprise
Administrative Level National
Name of initiative Solar Home Light
Projects Operational Years 3
Website of Institution http://www.gseb.com/guvnl/index.aspx

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
7.b By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 18 Jun 2015

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? The website of UNPSA.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
7.b By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 18 Jun 2015

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? The website of UNPSA.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas

Question 3: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 18 Jun 2015

Question 4: Partners/Stakeholders

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 5: Required Supplemental Documents

Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 6: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 7: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 8: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
7.b By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

Question 9: Validation Consent

Do you have any objections to us inquiring about the initiative for validation purposes? No

How did you know about UNPSA?

How did you know about UNPSA? The website of UNPSA.

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
-The Govt. of Gujarat launched Solar Home-Light system programme for electrification of huts, residents, small houses in areas of island / forest / unapproachable / technically not feasible area where there is no electric connection. -The Solar home light system contains Solar PV Panels-400 Watts, Battery : 12 V, 150AH -1 No., LED Bulb : 8 Watts – 5 Nos., DC Fan, 24 Watts – 1 No., Mobile Charger Point – 1 No., Plug DC 30 Watts – 1 No. (for small DC TV). -Estimated per unit cost of the Solar home light system is estimated as INR 45000/- and the people Below Poverty Line(BPL), people of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe are not required to pay any charges. Other beneficiaries are require to pay only 10% of the system cost. -The system is so designed that it can fulfill the power demand of lighting load, small fan load and small TV load of a small hut with an autonomy of 2 non-sunny days. This system connects people with world through availability of power for TV and improve their lifestyle. -The system is so popular among poor families that within 3 years, more than 25000 of Solar home light system are provided.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
-All the villages in the Gujarat State are already electrified. But there are some families which stay in islands, forests and unapproachable areas. For such families, the Govt. of Gujarat launched Solar Home-Light system programme for electrification of huts, residents, small houses in area where grid power supply is not technically feasible. -Estimated per unit cost of the Solar home light system is estimated as INR 45000/- and the people below poverty line(BPL), people of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe are not required to pay any charges. Other beneficiaries are required to pay only 10% of the system cost. -The system is so designed that it can fulfill the power demand of lighting load , small fan load and small TV load of a small hut with an autonomy of 2 non-sunny days. This system connects people with world through availability of power for TV and improve their lifestyle. -Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some power. Solar power is pollution free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation. -Enough capacity of battery is provided to store extra power for use at night -It is economically competitive where grid connection or fuel transport is difficult, costly or impossible. For example: hilly areas, remote locations and when power is not available.
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
1.End poverty in all forms everywhere: The cost of electricity to the people living in remote area is very high. People living in hamlets are also unable to afford the capital cost and running expense of electricity. There is no running cost. By providing electricity, standard of living will improve as benefit of education is facilitated in remote area. It has positive impact on daily life of rural people directly and indirectly. 2.Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; Solar power is the clean and green energy -Environment friendly, no noise, no pollution, which helps to reduce global warming effects. 3.Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 4. Reduce inequality within and among countries : By providing electricity in un-electrified areas, inequality between people is removed. 5. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Every year several incidents of accident occur due to snapping of conductor or faulty network, and being a licensee, the DISCOM has to bear the cost of compensation every time. By using Solar Home light system in remote areas, such incidents can be avoided. 6.Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts: Solar power is the clean and green energy -Environment friendly, no noise, no pollution, which helps to reduce global warming effects. 7. Alignment with the 2030 Agenda to improve people’s lives and respond to their needs and rights : As unelectified households in remote villages/hamlets, are electrified, people’s lives are improved and their needs and rights are addressed. 8. Positively impact a group of the population & address a significant issue of public concern Innovation It has positive impacts on daily life of rural people directly and indirectly. -Education facility is improved and helps lengthen study hours for children -Uninterrupted electricity -Economically beneficial -Improves safety and security at night -Improvement of women lifestyle -Extension of working hour in night 9. Initiative should be sustainable with positive impact on the future generations Solar energy is green energy and using this energy saves use of fossil fuels for future generation. 10 Evidence of impact on improving people’s lives. -Solar power is the clean and green energy -Environment friendly, no noise, no pollution, which helps to reduce global warming effects. -Saving of natural resources -Solar energy is free-it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution. 11. Engage stakeholders: All DISCOMs , GEDA, Govt. of Gujarat, applicants and suppliers are stakeholders.

Question 2

The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
-The system is so designed that it can fulfill the power demand of lighting load , small fan load and small TV load of a small hut with an autonomy of 2 non-sunny days. --This system connects people with other world through availability of power for TV and improve their lifestyle. -It Uses Solar irradiation to generate the electricity hence it is sustainable and modern energy for all -No contribution to be levied from BPL & SC/ST beneficiaries. Other beneficiaries have to pay contribution @ 10% of the estimated cost of Solar Home Light System. -No monthly electricity billing will be done by DISCOMs. Return on investment unlike paying for utility bills -Five years CMC is included in the package. -Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some power -Solar power is the clean and green energy -Environment friendly, no noise, no pollution, which helps to reduce global warming effects. -Saving of natural resources -Solar energy is free-it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution. -In Solar Home light following facility is provided to the people 1.DC Fan-24 watt-1 no 2.White LED lights 8 watt - 5 nos 3.Plug for small TV 30 W-1no 4.Mobile charging point- 1 no

Question 3

The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
This initiative has positively impacted people of Gujarat residing in remote area where it is difficult to provide conventional electricity. Solar PV power is a reliable source of power supply. This makes people free from grid supply based troubles like failure of Transformers, interruptions, Poor voltage etc. Solar Power is natural and free No monthly billing is done by DISCOMS. Safer than traditional electric current Use batteries to store extra power for use at night
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
-People in forest area had to light a kerosene lamp in night and had to sleep outside the home due non availability of electricity, but now due to solar home light, they can stay at home at night in LED light with DC Fan and TV. -Solar Home light scheme is beneficial to un-electrified house holds located in hilly areas, forests, islands and remote locations when grid power is not available. -Solar Home light scheme is beneficial to small shops and vendors in tribal/ poor locality also which are remotely locate.

Question 4

The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
As the Scheme is launched to provide electricity to the people who live in un-electrified areas, it improves the standard of life of people. This scheme is innovative as it targeted the electrification of: -Small shops and vendors in tribal/ poor locality and remotely situated from village. -Remotely situated religious places. -Agricultural Land which does not have any electric connection Solar Home Light System is ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for above mentioned areas.

Question 4b

b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
The Solar home light concept exists since many years, but the design of the system was not suitable to fulfill the one small family’s requirement for electricity in modern times. So GUVNL has designed a special system having large battery capacity to store the solar power and at the same time it has enough capacity of Solar PV module which can generate sufficient energy in low sun light with an autonomy of two days. So selection of components is done in such a way that it can address the requirement of duty cycle of the electrical lighting load, fan load and TV load.

Question 4c

c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
DISCOMs of State of Gujarat invited applications for selecting beneficiaries by publishing advertisement in news paper etc. Beneficiaries submitted relevant documents along with prescribed fees. Beneficiary has to contribute as follows: -OBC/Gen – 10% of system cost -SC/ST/BPL – Nil -For SC/ST & BPL beneficiary total Cost of Home light System is borne by Govt. of Gujarat i.e., INR 45000/-. For others, 90% of total Cost of Home light System is borne by Govt. of Gujarat. In order to implement the scheme CPP tenders are invited by the DISCOMs. The qualifying agencies installed the Solar pump sets. There is five year comprehensive maintenance contract and this Agency has to provide service centre in each Circle/District. The beneficiaries are also trained for operating and trouble shooting Solar Home system. Solar Home systems promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Question 5

The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
Yes, It can be transferred to other countries and states

Question 6

The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
-Solar energy is available every day of the year; even some power can be produced on cloudy days. So this solution is sustainable. -No contribution to be levied from BPL & SC/ST beneficiaries. Other beneficiaries have to pay contribution @ 10% of the estimated cost of Solar Home Light System. -No monthly electricity billing will be done by DISCOMs. Return on investment is available unlike paying for utility bills -Five years CMC is included in the package. -Solar power is pollution free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation -Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels -Use batteries to store extra power for use at night -It is economically competitive where grid connection or fuel transport is difficult, costly or impossible. For example: hilly areas, remote locations and when power is not available.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
The initiative is sustainable because solar energy is harnessed. Gujarat, being in a tropical region, solar energy is available almost through the year except rainy season. Solar power is clean and green energy-Environment friendly, no noise, no pollution, which helps to reduce global warming effects. Saving of natural resources Solar energy is free-it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution.

Question 7

The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
Yes
If yes, please describe how the initiative was evaluated? (200 words maximum)
The initiative for carrying out evaluation, impact and cost benefit analysis of Solar home light systems installed by four DISCOMs of GUVNL during the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 in Gujarat, is under progress.
b. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation of the impact of the initiative (200 words maximum)
After completion of the survey the formal outcome can be published. But looking to the popularity of the scheme, it can be assessed that the scheme is beneficial to people in forests, islands and remote area.
c. Please describe the indicators that were used (200 words maximum)
The indicators of the survey would be level of satisfaction, autonomy, performances of the system and its components and operating hours.

Question 8

The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
Collaboration: Govt. of Gujarat, GEDA,DISCOMs /GUVNL, Privates enterprises –Solar Home Light supplier , Beneficiaries Engagement: Govt. of Gujarat is allotting annual budget for installation of Solar Home Light. CPP tender is done by DISCOM and work is carried out by qualifying Agencies. Agency has to complete the work within 60 days from date of handing over of list of beneficiaries. Coordination: State Nodal Agency for implementing scheme-GEDA is co-ordinating between State and Central Govt. Partnerships Beneficiary has to contribute as follows: OBC/Gen – 10% of system cost SC/ST/BPL – Nil For SC/ST & BPL beneficiary total Cost of Home light System is borne by Govt. of Gujarat i.e., INR 45000/-. For others, 90% of total Cost of Home light System is borne by Govt. of Gujarat. Stakeholders 1. Beneficiaries : Beneficiaries are residing in unelectrified house hold in remote area who has pay below mentioned charges as onetime payment with registration charges of INR 40/-: OBC/Gen – 10% of system cost SC/ST/BPL – Nil For SC/ST & BPL beneficiary total Cost of Home light System is borne by Govt. of Gujarat i.e., INR 45000/-. For others, 90% of total Cost of Home light System is borne by Govt. of Gujarat. 2. Privates enterprises –Solar Home light suppliers : installed the system at beneficiary premises and provide CMC for 5 years 3. Govt. of Gujarat -Allot the financial target; give GR for implementing the scheme; Financial Assistance to the scheme 4. State Nodal Agency for implementing scheme-GEDA : Co-ordinate between State and Central Govt. 5. DISCOMs /GUVNL : DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL & UGVCL are four DISCOMS in Gujarat and GUVNL is monitoring the progress of all the DISCOMs

Question 9

a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
This Solar Home light system is so useful and popular that as on 31.1.18 , total 25910 such systems are installed. The design is having two days autonomy for non-sunny days. This duration can be extended by increasing the size of battery and PV module in other areas if required.

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