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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
A routine thunderstorm & numerous rooftop solar systems collapsed: Teaching a lesson on solar quality standards
Indore, India May 8th 2025: On May 4th, Indore witnessed a routine thunderstorm, with wind speeds reported at a staggering 120 kmph. Similar scenes were reported in Bhopal the next evening as hard winds swooped across the city accompanied by heavy rains. Such storms are frequent in pre-monsoon periods every year. Fallen trees are a common sight during such storms, but fallen rooftop solar systems? The morning after has revealed a shocking sight in both cities: numerous rooftop solar systems collapsed across both cities - with panels flown off and structures damaged. This poses a bigger question - what will happen when storms touch 140-150 kmph which also occurs on a few days every year. For homeowners, this was a total collapse of trust. Indian families are going solar on the promise of electricity bill savings for 25 years, but the question remains - is the quality of installation in the market designed to last even three years? Here's the truth: This wasn't even an extreme weather event. It was a routine pre-monsoon thunderstorm—common across India every summer. This is a reality of solar installation quality across India. That's the real concern. If customers are getting solar that can't even handle windspeeds of 100–120 kmph— what will happen in extreme weather conditions when higher storms occur? The risk to property and life is a matter of grave concern. A Harsh Reality: The Big Price of Compromised Safety Indians are embracing solar in the wake of India's ambitious PM Surya Ghar scheme which offers subsidies of up to Rs. 78,000. Solar is a great investment for families as they promise 25 years of free electricity and pay back periods under 5 years. But across the country, many solar vendors are cutting corners by installing non-engineered, sub-standard rooftop solar systems. The module mounting structures are the backbone of a solar system. But across the market, it has been observed that these are not designed for sufficient strength - barely able to endure wind speeds of even 120 kmph. Another issue is usage of poor quality materials which rust within 3–4 years – further compromising structural strength as the years pass and becoming more prone to storm damage. These quality compromises may save money initially, but they cost dearly later—in damage, in safety, and in trust. At just 120 kmph, these installations didn't just fail—they became dangerous debris. Solar panels flew off rooftops. Some crash landed in neighbouring homes. At SolarSquare, we are obsessed with meeting high safety standards At SolarSquare, safety is not negotiable. We believe in engineering solar not just for sunshine, but for storms. That's why we developed the Intelligent WindPro Mount™ (Patent Pending) —India's safest, storm-proof solar mounting structure that withstands all storms. WindPro Mount™ is approved by IIT Bombay to be storm and cyclone safe in windspeeds of even 170 kmph. Moreover, these are completely pre-fabricated and made in factories with precision manufacturing techniques ensuring consistency in quality and zero-risk of human errors on your roof. Using Japanese Poka-Yoke (mistake-proofing) principles, we ensure every piece fits perfectly and performs flawlessly. Not just engineering brilliance - but the kind of safety that gives you peace of mind, even when the skies turn grey. And our numbers back our safety claims too - With over 20,000 installations across the nation, 99.91% of SolarSquare's installations reported ZERO storm damage. What You Deserve When you go solar, you deserve more than savings. You deserve safety. Stability. Peace of mind. Too many amateur vendors treat structural safety as optional. But for us, it is sacred. We follow rigorous standards in both design and post-installation maintenance. That's what sets us apart. Solar is the future—but only if it's engineered for it. For more information, visit:
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
A routine storm reveals the high price of poor quality solar
Shreya Mishra | SolarSquare On May 4th, Indore witnessed a routine thunderstorm, with wind speeds reported at a staggering 120 kmph . Similar scenes were reported in Bhopal the next evening as hard winds swooped across the city accompanied by heavy rains. Such storms are frequent in pre-monsoon periods every year. Fallen trees are a common sight during such storms, but fallen rooftop solar systems? The morning after has revealed a shocking sight in both cities: numerous rooftop solar systems collapsed across the city - with panels flown off and structures damaged. This poses a bigger question - what will happen when storms touch 140-150 kmph which also occurs on a few days every year. Operation Sindoor 'Op Sindoor's precision & execution was unimaginable': Rajnath Singh Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list For homeowners, this was a total collapse of trust. Indian families are going solar on the promise of electricity bill savings for 25 years, but the question remains - is the quality of installation in the market designed to last even three years? Yesterday's storm exposed a disturbing truth: many solar systems in India aren't built to survive even routine storms and Indian weather conditions. A Harsh Reality: The Big Price of Compromised Safety Indians are embracing solar in the wake of India's ambitious PM Surya Ghar scheme which offers subsidies of up to Rs. 78,000. Solar is a great investment for families as they promise 25 years of free electricity and pay back periods under 5 years. But across the country, many solar vendors are cutting corners by installing non-engineered, sub-standard rooftop solar systems. The module mounting structures are the backbone of a solar system. But across the market, it has been observed that these are not designed for sufficient strength - barely able to endure wind speeds of even 120 kmph. Another issue is usage of poor-quality materials which rust within 3–4 years – further compromising structural strength as the years pass and becoming more prone to storm damage. These quality compromises may save money initially, but they cost dearly later—in damage, in safety, and in trust. At just 120 kmph, these installations didn't just fail—they became dangerous debris . Solar panels flew off rooftops. Some crash landed in neighbouring homes. At SolarSquare, we are obsessed with meeting high safety standards At SolarSquare , safety is not negotiable. We believe in engineering solar not just for sunshine, but for storms. That's why we developed the Intelligent WindPro Mount™ (Patent Pending) —India's safest, storm-proof solar mounting structure that withstands all storms. WindPro Mount™ is approved by IIT Bombay to be storm and cyclone safe in windspeeds of even 170 kmph. Moreover, these are completely pre-fabricated and made in factories with precision manufacturing techniques ensuring consistency in quality and zero-risk of human errors on your roof. Using Japanese Poka-Yoke (mistake-proofing) principles, we ensure every piece fits perfectly and performs flawlessly. Not just engineering brilliance - but the kind of safety that gives you peace of mind, even when the skies turn grey. And our numbers back our safety claims too - With over 25,000 installations across the nation, 99.91% of SolarSquare's installations reported ZERO storm damage. What You Deserve When you go solar, you deserve more than savings. You deserve safety. Stability. Peace of mind. Too many amateur vendors treat structural safety as optional. But for us, it is sacred. SolarSquare follows rigorous standards in both design and post-installation maintenance. That's what sets us apart. Solar is the future—but only if it's engineered for it. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
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First Post
22-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
Earth Day 2025: Why India's climate response will shape the world's energy future
The climate crisis is no longer coming—it's here. For India, Earth Day 2025 is a moment to choose action over consequences read more Workers of Solar Square place a panel on the rooftop of a residence in Gurugram. AP People around the world are coming together to celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, with the powerful theme — 'OUR POWER, OUR PLANET'. This isn't just a catchy phrase — it's a call for action. The goal is to triple the amount of clean electricity we produce by 2030. To make this happen, countries everywhere must work together — but countries like India have a very important role to play. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has a fast-growing economy, a large population and is facing more and more climate-related problems like heatwaves and water shortages. This puts India right at the centre of the climate crisis. But it also gives the country a chance to lead the way in moving toward clean, renewable energy. While Earth Day is a global event, for India, it's also a wake-up call to act now. 'This is not a hypothetical situation anymore,' says Rajesh Patel, CEO of Indian ESG data intelligence firm Snowkap. 'Extreme heat is directly affecting operations. When temperatures rise above 45°C, factory floors can feel like blast furnaces and outdoor work stops.' In India's manufacturing corridors — whether it's the industrial belts of Gujarat, the logistics hubs of Maharashtra or the garment centres in Tamil Nadu — this scenario is not the future. It's happening now. India's energy challenge in an age of extremes India's energy system is under unprecedented pressure. Economic growth, urbanisation and electrification are all increasing demand on a grid already vulnerable to weather extremes. Add to that the fact that India just recorded its hottest pre-monsoon season in years and the problem becomes acute. 'Power exhaustion driven by unprecedented demand is resulting in unplanned downtimes. Water scarcity is adding another layer of disruption,' Patel warns. Industries that rely on water for cooling, cleaning or production — such as food processing, pharmaceuticals or textiles — are feeling the pinch. 'This is a wake-up call for businesses to embed climate buffers into their operations, not just for resilience but for survival in the coming season.' According to an AFP report, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast above-normal maximum temperatures across most of the country this summer, with up to 10 heatwave days or more, especially in eastern India. Traditionally, India records around four to seven such days. The implication? India is rapidly heading toward a new climate normal and the energy sector must evolve accordingly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When the climate crisis hits the corporate bottom line In India, where SMEs make up a huge portion of the economy and where labour-intensive industries drive exports and employment, heatwaves aren't just an environmental issue — they are a direct economic threat. 'Once climate hits the P&L, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) becomes a boardroom priority. A flood that shuts down a warehouse or a heatwave that halts production is no longer someone else's problem. It's an operational crisis, a reputational risk and a signal that reactive compliance won't cut it,' says Patel. This is especially relevant to sectors like agriculture, logistics and FMCG where the cost of disruption can be immense and felt across the supply chain—from rural producers to urban retailers. India, therefore, must think beyond short-term disaster relief and move toward long-term ESG-aligned planning, particularly in the energy and water-intensive sectors. Closing the ESG gap Patel highlights a growing chasm between intent and implementation. 'The desire is there, but the execution gap is wide,' he explains. While larger Indian companies are beginning to adopt Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) standards, many still struggle with fragmented systems and outdated tools like spreadsheets. For India's vibrant but underserved MSME sector, the challenge is even more acute. 'They want to comply but lack the systems, staff and training to do so meaningfully,' he says. As investors and regulators raise the bar on environmental transparency, Indian businesses must evolve from periodic, compliance-driven reporting to continuous, real-time ESG visibility. 'It's not about chasing numbers once a year — it's about building a culture of measurable sustainability across the board.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India's digital edge If India is to lead on ESG, technology will be its biggest enabler. 'ESG data today is more than a reporting tool — it's a predictive engine,' says Patel. 'Companies are beginning to overlay operational data with climate risk maps, satellite insights and regional forecasts to understand what's coming down the line.' This can mean pre-emptively adjusting factory schedules based on expected water shortages in Rajasthan or rerouting transport to avoid high-heat corridors in central India. 'It's a different mindset—one that prioritises preparedness over reaction,' he says. And with rising urban temperatures and rural water scarcity now the norm, this kind of ESG foresight could be the difference between growth and collapse. Greening India's supply chains India's vast supply chains — from cotton to cars — have historically been focussed on price and volume, not environmental impact. But that's changing. 'Procurement is no longer just about price, but it's about risk, resilience and long-term alignment,' says Patel. Indian firms are now asking: What's the carbon footprint of this supplier in Surat? How much groundwater does this production unit in Tiruppur consume? Are renewables being used in this unit in Noida? 'This isn't about punishing suppliers — it's about creating a shared standard and a roadmap for improvement,' Patel explains. 'With better ESG visibility, companies can benchmark performance, introduce sustainability clauses in contracts and build greener, more future-proof supply chains.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For India, where the bulk of emissions and inefficiencies lie in supply networks, this shift could be transformational. India's triple threat According to a Times of India report, climate change is no longer a background issue — it is affecting public health, infrastructure durability and urban survival. With concrete-heavy cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata turning into heat islands, the risks are severe. According to the World Health Organisation, heat kills at least half a million people annually and many of them are in the Global South. The IMD has called for comprehensive heat action plans in India that include urban cooling centres, heat advisories and strategies to reduce the urban heat island effect, the AFP reported. ESG-linked planning can support this by aligning corporate operations with climate resilience strategies. Tripling clean energy India has made strong progress in renewable energy, especially in solar and wind power. But reaching the Earth Day 2025 goal of tripling clean electricity by 2030 will require even faster action, stronger policies, and greater investment from both the government and the private sector. The country has made strides in solar and wind, yet coal still dominates its energy mix. The private sector must step up. ESG analytics, backed by predictive models and supplier-level insights, will allow Indian companies to decarbonise faster and more efficiently. 'ESG intelligence is evolving into something dynamic and immediate, giving leaders the clarity they need to take smart action before losses set in,' says Patel. Tripling clean energy is not just about installing more solar panels—it's about changing how companies consume, produce and procure energy at scale. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Earth Day 2025, the world looks to countries such as India to lead the renewable revolution, not just because it's necessary, but because India has the scale, skill and spirit to make it happen. India's power lies not just in megawatts — but in its people, its data, its decisions and its global example.
