The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) recently held a special session in collaboration with Auroville Consulting on the topic of “Rooftop Solar for MSMEs: Path to Decarbonization.” This insightful event aimed to highlight the importance of decarbonization and the pivotal role of emission-free energy in transforming industries.
Mr. Suryanarayan Rao, Chairman of the Energy Committee of MCCI, set the tone by emphasizing the significance of decarbonization for industries. Raghav Nandakumar, a lead consultant from Auroville Consulting, addressed the audience on the broader impacts of climate change, stressing the urgent need for technology adoption to achieve carbon neutrality while ensuring sustainable consumption.
During the session, Dr. G Giridhar, Former Director at the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, showcased successful case studies of MSMEs in India that have embraced renewable energy solutions. Mr. K.S. Chandra Sekar (DGM-Chennai, SIDBI) and Mr. S Aravind (CS CSC, State Bank of India) discussed various financial avenues available to MSMEs for transitioning to renewable energy, particularly rooftop solar installations.
A highlight of the event was the presentation by Mr. Frano D’Silva from Auroville Consulting, who introduced ‘Solsavi’, an open-source application aiding households and businesses in estimating renewable energy needs and connecting them with appropriate vendors.
The panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Toine Van Megen (Co-founder, Auroville Consulting), explored challenges and opportunities in renewable energy adoption. Dr. Sagar Agravat (Larsen & Toubro, Chennai) and Dr. S. Sankara Narayanan (Former General Manager, TEDA) emphasized collaborative efforts between government and industries to facilitate the transition to renewable energy.
Mr. Martin Scherfler, co-founder of Auroville Consulting, concluded the event by summarizing key insights and highlighting the financial attractiveness of rooftop solar as a solution aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Scherfler underscored that environmental consciousness is not only a business imperative but also an ethical duty.
The event was attended by industry experts, policymakers, and representatives from various MSMEs, showcasing a strong commitment towards sustainable energy practices.
