Climate Action India Project #63709

Empowering Women with Solar Skills Training

by The Desai Foundation

Project Report | Jul 8, 2026
Empowering Women With Solar Skills Training

By The Desai Foundation | Empowering Women with Solar Skills Training

Introduction

Rural women across India remain among the most affected by climate change, while also holding real potential to lead the country’s shift toward clean energy. Through its Climate Resilience programming, the Desai Foundation trains women aged 18 to 35 in rural communities to set up, maintain, and repair solar panels, equipping them with technical skills that open doors to steady income and a stronger role in India’s renewable energy sector.

This training is part of the Desai Foundation’s broader work, which has now reached more than 12 million people across rural India. The Solar Skills Training program channels that same community-driven approach toward a growing industry, helping women build financial independence while contributing to a cleaner environment for their communities.

Program Impact

A second batch of 50 women completed training in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (25 in solar panel installation and maintenance; 25 in EV driving and upkeep).
Over 90% of participants are engaged in internships with solar panel and EV businesses.
30% have secured full-time jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Sustaining and Growing the Program

Alongside the training itself, the Desai Foundation is pursuing new partnerships to sustain and scale this work. This quarter, the team submitted applications to the White Feather Foundation, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and the Henry Niles Foundation.

Conclusion

The Solar Skills Training program continues to show what’s possible when rural women are given the tools and trust to lead. By building technical expertise and connecting participants directly to employers, the program is opening real pathways to economic independence while advancing a greener, more resilient India.

The work also chips away at long-standing assumptions about which jobs are and are not for women. Every woman who installs a solar panel or maintains an EV rickshaw is helping redefine what’s possible for the next generation in her community.

Permalink

Mar 12, 2026
Empowering Women with Solar Skills Training

By Aarushi Gupta | Development & Grants Manager

Introduction

Staggering levels of environmental pollution, an overburdened public transportation system,and rising unemployment in India have made the transition to renewable energy the need ofthe hour.

India has been steadily investing in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar and wind energy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, increase job creation, and forge a path towards a cleaner environment for all. In 2023-2024 alone, renewable energy accounted for 20.75% oftotal energy generated.

In the spirit of integrating rural areas into India’s path towards a greener economy, The Desai Foundation continues to uphold its mission to empower rural communities by equipping itswomen with technical skills to meet the demands of the renewable energy sector.

Under the Desai Foundation’s Climate Resilience programming, women aged between 18-35 years old in rural areas are trained to maintain, set-up, operate, and repair solar panels and Electric Vehicles (EV), specifically widely-used Rickshaws. These technical skills will enable women to join the workforce, gain financial independence, and spearhead environment-friendly and safe transportation for working women, children, and families between rural and urban areas.

Program Impact

As we have recently hit the milestone of directly impacting 10 Million lives in rural India, our EV Rickshaw Mechanic Training and Solar Skill Training Programs play a key role in empowering women and girls to develop diverse skill sets, gain financial independence, and contribute towards India’s 2030 renewable energy goals.

Beyond economic empowerment, the Desai Foundation's project encompasses broader socialand physical well-being for both participants and their communities. These climate resilience initiatives also provide a safe and greener transportation avenue for women, children, and families that want to travel to nearby villages or distant urban areas - ensuring that distance is never a deterrent in the pursuit of meaningful employment or education.

After the resounding success of our inaugural batches in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, we have significantly scaled our project in other districts of Bhopal to further magnify our impact:

Second batch of 50 women (25 in Solar panel installation and maintenance; and 25 in EV driving and upkeep) concluded in Bhopal
Over 90% of the participants are currently engaged in internships with solar panel and EV businesses
30% have already secured full-time jobs within the renewable sector
Launching another batch of the program and securing business partnerships that will provide internships and a site for the trainings to take place

Conclusion

The Solar Skill Training and EV Mechanic Training Programs have already demonstrated that they are key in not just empowering women in rural India, but also contributing towards a greener economy and safer transportation methods that connect far-flung rural India to essential amenities. By equipping women and girls with specialized knowledge and practical expertise, the programsare creating pathways for economic independence and community development. With significant achievements in enrollment, skill-building, and infrastructure, we are on track towards doing our part in fostering a sustainable green economy.

We are further determined to continue to scale out innovative and community-driven efforts increating meaningful change, especially in the way of societal challenges and obstacles, such as ingrained biases about how certain jobs (such as solar panel installation and EV Rickshawdriving) are not for women.

By challenging and overcoming these biases that hold women and societies back, we are building a future that aligns economic opportunities for women and girls with environmental stewardship and a brighter future for all.

Links:

Permalink

Nov 18, 2025
Empowering Women with Solar Skills Training

By Aarushi Gupta | Development & Grants Manager

Introduction

Staggering levels of environmental pollution, an overburdened public transportation system,and rising unemployment in India have made the transition to renewable energy the need of thehour. India has been steadily investing in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar and wind energy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, increase job creation, and forge a path towards acleaner environment for all. In 2023-2024 alone, renewable energy accounted for 20.75% of total energy generated.

In the spirit of integrating rural areas into India’s path towards a greener economy, The Desai Foundation continues to uphold its mission to empower rural communities by equipping its women with technical skills to meet the demands of the renewable energy sector.

Under the Desai Foundation’s Climate Resilience programming, women aged between 18-35years old in rural areas are trained to maintain, set-up, operate, and repair solar panels and Electric Vehicles (EV), specifically widely-used Rickshaws. These technical skills will enablewomen to join the workforce, gain financial independence, and spearhead environment-friendlyand safe transportation for working women, children, and families between rural and urbanareas.

Program Impact

As we have recently hit the milestone of directly impacting 11 Million lives in rural India, our EVRickshaw and Solar set-up programs play a key role in empowering women and girls to develop diverse skill sets, gain financial independence, and contribute towards India’s 2030 renewableenergy goals.

Beyond economic empowerment, the Desai Foundation's project encompasses broader socialand physical well-being for both participants and their communities. These climate resilience initiatives also provide a safe and greener transportation avenue for women, children, and families that want to travel to nearby villages or distant urban areas - ensuring that distance isnever a deterrent in the pursuit of meaningful employment or education.

After the resounding success of our inaugural batches in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, we have significantly scaled our project to further build our impact:

Second batch of 50 women (25 in Solar panel installation and maintenance; and 25 in EV driving and upkeep) concluded in January 2025 in Vallabh Nagar and Banganga in Bhopal:

Over 85% of the participants are currently engaged in internships with solar panel andEV businesses
20% have already secured full-time jobs within the renewable sector
Completed third batch of the program and have secured business partnerships andconducted needs assessments to expand the program to Uttar Pradesh as well

Conclusion

The Solar Set-Up and EV Skills Training Programs have already demonstrated that they are key in not just empowering women in rural India, but also contributing towards a greener economyand safer transportation methods that connect far-flung rural India to essential amenities.

By equipping women and girls with specialized knowledge and practical expertise, theprograms are creating pathways for economic independence and community development. With significant achievements in enrollment, skill-building, and infrastructure, we are on track towards doing our part in fostering a sustainable green economy.

Links:

Permalink

1 2 3 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.