Imagine a world where space constraints no longer limit our energy possibilities, and with just a sliver of land, households generate clean energy for decades!
Gujarat-based Shani Pandya offers precisely this with his innovative ‘solar trees’. These marvels are not your typical solar panels that demand vast expanses of terrain; instead, they spread vertically, much like real trees.
Standing tall and sleek, each solar tree can elegantly host up to 45 solar modules on a single pole. In simple terms, a solar tree with a capacity of 20 kilowatts can power six Indian homes in a day!
“By reducing the land requirement from an expansive 2,200 square feet to just 2 square feet, we are redefining how urban spaces can be utilised,” explains Shani, whose groundbreaking innovation is turning heads and changing perspectives.
This pioneering concept has not only sparked interest but also action from municipalities, hospitals, and government projects. Gandhinagar Smart City, for example, has integrated these vertical structures into its cityscape to efficiently manage street lighting costs.
We sat down with the 30-year-old entrepreneur to learn more about his transformative energy solutions that promise to redefine how we power our cities.
For India’s bright future
Shani’s journey into solar innovation began in 2018, following a period spent nurturing an incubator at Pandit Deendayal Energy University, where he had also studied chemical engineering.
Reflecting on his early days of working there, Shani shares, “A solar power plant was set up on six acres of land. The cost of land was more than Rs 100 crore, and the plant alone was Rs 10 crore. The land could not be used for any other activity for the next 30 years.”
It was here that Shani realised the substantial challenge solar energy faced: extensive land requirement.
“When I looked at that 1-megawatt solar plant that was to consume six acres of prime land, I realised there had to be a more efficient solution. It was disheartening to see such potential going untapped because of space constraints,” he adds.
A defining moment came when Shani engaged with the planners of Gandhinagar Smart City, who faced hurdles in integrating solar due to limited space. “I learnt the city is designated to achieve 10 percent of its energy load from solar as part of its smart city mission. Talking to the city planners, I found that they didn’t have the space for traditional solar power plants. This was a critical problem to solve.”
The experience motivated him to explore ways in which solar energy could be harnessed in densely populated urban areas without consuming valuable ground space. His quest pushed him to create the ‘solar tree’: a striking innovation that maximises energy production while minimising land usage.
“These trees, once installed, can generate enough electricity to power multiple households and street lights daily. Such solar trees were already being used in the USA, but only for beautification purposes, or for WiFi and charging phones. I decided to promote their use as an efficient tool to reduce power consumption,” he says.
With over 150 solar trees already sprouting across cities from Mumbai to Jammu, Shani is leading an exciting movement toward redefining urban energy landscapes.
Meanwhile, for residential complexes, he also offers solutions like the solar gazebo. “Imagine having a gazebo in your yard that does more than just provide shade — it powers your home,” says Shani.
Aditya Dave, who installed a solar tree and gazebo on the terrace of his house, has been able to reduce his power costs from Rs 5,000 per month to zero. Aditya is also impressed by the company’s innovative design. “The gazebo and the solar tree that looks like a sunflower have created a visually appealing shelter on the terrace. Now, we have a good space where we can rejuvenate and make our terrace usable,” he adds.
In a bid to cater to various urban and industrial settings, he diversified the company’s offerings to include solar-enabled building claddings, facades, and balconies. These products make solar energy accessible beyond rooftops, expanding its reach to apartment dwellers and high-rise buildings.
Solar tiles that reuse plastic waste
One of Shani’s notable innovations is the solar tile. With a 20-watt capacity per tile, 150 tiles can provide sufficient power for a typical household. These tiles can withstand weight and weather — perfect for rooftop installations — without sacrificing living areas.
It was his personal struggle with traditional rooftop solar installations, which encroached upon space, prized for cultural activities like kite festivals, that inspired him to rethink a design that preserved rooftop space.
“We celebrate the kite festival in Gujarat every January. On Uttarayan, you’d see the sky filled with colourful kites. This is one of the reasons why Gujaratis would not prefer solar panel installations as it would eat up the rooftop space,” he laughs.
“I wanted to build something durable and functional. This encouraged me to work on solar tiles that we can install on our rooftop. Now, we can walk on those tiles, host guests on our rooftop systems, and power our homes simultaneously,” he adds.
Interestingly, these tiles have been crafted from single-use plastic waste. Shani proudly notes, “These eco-friendly tiles not only generate energy but also tackle our plastic waste issue. Each solar tile reduces 25,000 single-use plastic waste while offering energy benefits,” he notes. Priced at Rs 1,200 per tile, Shani is expected to commercialise the tiles in the next three months.
Shani’s journey to these innovative miracles has been fraught with challenges. He recalls the initial financial strain vividly, “In the initial phase, managing funds was tough. I had to break my mutual funds and even mortgage our house to secure a loan. It was a difficult time, especially for my family, who had never taken loans before.”
Despite these hurdles, his startup remained profitable since its inception and continues to grow. With last year’s turnover of Rs 7 crore, he projects sales to close at Rs 13 crore this year.
This blend of innovation, grit, and family sacrifice has seen Shani being recognised on a national scale. He recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the fourth Renewable Energy Investor Meet where he presented the innovative solar tile to him.
“PM Modi praised our innovation, which was a monumental moment for our team. When my family saw me with the Prime Minister, they had tears in their eyes,” Shani shares with pride.
Every evening, as Shani returns home, he reflects on the faces of his family, now filled with pride and belief. The path he chose was fraught with challenges, yet the rewards are evident in the cities and rooftops lit by his solar innovations.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All photos courtesy Shani Pandya
