Empowering Atta Chakkis: The Shift to Solar

Surya Chakra helps atta chakki owners transition from diesel generators to solar power by providing affordable financing. We conduct on-site visits to understand their challenges, demonstrate the cost savings and efficiency of solar energy, and connect them with financing options that make the switch feasible.

Skills Training

Surya Chakra seeks to promote skills training for operators and owners of solar-powered atta chakkis (wheat mills) in the management and upkeep of the solar panels. This promotes their autonomy and comfort with the technology, cuts down the need for repairs and replacements, and provides opportunities for further employment in the field.

Sustainability Education

We believe that the seeds of sustainability need to be sown early -- hence, we seek to partner with educational non-profits and other organizations in order to conduct sustainability workshops for students in Grades 6-10. The emphasis of these workshops is solar power: its potential, implementation, and the infinite possibilities it holds. On a more practical side, we also delve into the benefits of solar panels on a community and individual basis.

Research

In partnership with Metafin, Aayan is also currently conducting research for a paper titled “The Impact of Solar Panel Implementation on Rural Communities in India: A Case Study of Atta Chakkis”. This research is the backbone of Surya Chakra: where we learn about on-ground realities and document them, and learn from these experiences to create real-time interventions!

how renewables can change lives

From Struggle to Success: How Solar Power Transformed a Flour Mill in Varanasi

For Santosh Kumar, an atta chakki (flour mill) owner in Varanasi, running his business was becoming increasingly difficult. With the price of diesel skyrocketing every year, his profits were dwindling, leaving him with little to no financial stability. The diesel generator that powered his chakki wasn’t just expensive—it was also noisy and polluting; disrupting his family’s peace at home.

“Every day, my primary concern was whether I’d make enough to cover my upfront diesel costs. The (diesel) generator was so loud that my children struggled to study, my father could never sleep and my wife constantly complained about the noise. I felt stuck.”

— Santosh Kumar, Atta Chakki Owner, Varanasi (Translated to English)

A Solution: Enter Surya Chakra & Metafin

In July 2024, Santosh attended a Surya Chakra workshop, where he learned about the financial and operational benefits of solar energy. Our team worked closely with him - explaining how he could switch to solar with zero upfront cost - thanks to our partnership with Metafin.

Seeing the numbers and the potential savings, Santosh decided to take a leap of faith and install solar panels for his flour mill.

The Transformation: Financial and Personal Growth

Since switching to solar:

Santosh no longer spends money on diesel, saving over ₹30,000 per month on fuel costs.
His profit margins have grown, allowing him to reinvest in his business.
The noise pollution is gone, bringing peace to his home and improving his family’s quality of life.
His business runs more efficiently, attracting more customers who appreciate the sustainability aspect.
With his increased savings, he now plans to install another solar-powered chakki to expand his business.

“Thanks to Aayan and the team at Surya Chakra I no longer need to pay bills”

— Santosh Kumar, Atta Chakki Owner, Varanasi (Translated to English)

Scaling Impact, One Flour Mill at a Time

Santosh’s story is just one of many. Project Surya Chakra is helping rural entrepreneurs like him break free from expensive, polluting energy sources—creating a future that is both financially sustainable and environmentally responsible.

How We Calculate Our Impact

Total Diesel Saved = Total Energy Consumed (In KwH)/2.81
CO2 Emissions (In Kgs) = 2.68*Total Diesel saved