Pioneering Change, One Solar Solution at a time.
SELCO is a rural energy service company, headquartered in Bengaluru (Karnataka, India). It was established in 1995, to disprove ‘myths’ on solar energy and energy access for the underserved.
SELCO has delivered over 8 lakh solar solutions to the underserved communities. While construed as ‘expensive’, sustainable solutions were made affordable through customised system designs with manufacturers and devising innovative financing models that match end-user’s cash flows with financial partners.
By implementing door-to-door service models through local energy service centres managed by native youth, maintenance of systems is made more accessible by fostering trust and responsibility within communities.
SELCO, over 30 years, achieves social impact and economic viability with consistent profits and remarkable growth rates. By reinvesting profits back into the company, SELCO continues to expand its impact through its 50 centres across India.
From its early days, SELCO recognized that providing energy access to the underserved requires more than just technology. A successful solution must integrate customised technology, affordable financing, capacity building, policy design, and infrastructure planning to ensure lasting impact and accessibility for the poor.
With the focus on local ownership of productive assets by the poor, solutions are customised to address the realities of underserved communities while enhancing their socio-economic stability. Communities are engaged as partners and innovators rather than passive beneficiaries to understand systemic issues and co-develop energy solutions that catalyse progress holistically in health, education, livelihood and financial inclusion.
We view scale across three dimensions: i.e. reaching more people across geographies, serving those further down the economic ladder, and diversifying energy solutions. Additionally, SELCO builds a broad network of partners who institutionalise key elements of energy access—such as policy, financing, and innovation—advancing the sector’s mission through their unique roles and perspectives.
Committed to inclusive impact, we foster equity both within and outside the organisation. SELCO’s people reflect India’s diverse fabric spanning gender, caste, religion, language and socio-economic backgrounds. With over 90% of our 500+ employees coming from the very communities they serve, we build trust, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. In addition to deepening client connections this approach promotes upward mobility within the organisation, ensuring we thrive alongside the communities we support.
SELCO’s investment strategy is designed to balance financial sustainability with its social mission. By partnering with impact-first, non-profit investors and carefully crafting our ownership structure and shareholder agreements, we’ve prioritised long-term investments in people and operations over quarterly performance assessments and safeguarded organisation’s inclusive values against changes in investors or its management.
SELCO Timeline
A Non-For-Profit Entity that was founded by Harish Hande and Neville Williams to promote solar in developing countries. It recieved a grant of 40,000 USD from Rockerfeller Foundation to provide solar lights to 100 rural homes.
Harish Hande co-founds SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd along with Neville Williams to provide affordable energy solutions for the underserved with doorstep financing and service provision
Ms. Anusooya Rai, a beetlenut farmer in Puttur, buys the 1st system - a lighting system for her farm
Malaprabha Grameen Bank sanctioned INR 1.5 million for financing 100 solar light systems
First Banker training workshop, organized in partnership with Bharatiya Vikas Trust (BVT) in Manipal
SELCO received a conditional loan of INR 5 million from USAID through its partner Winrock International.
SELCO received US$ 750,000 from equity investors in the US
1000 solar home lighting systems installed in Belthangady taluk, in partnership with SKDRDP (a Micro Finance Institution in Karnataka)
Carbon offset was undertaken for the 500 MW Klamath Cogeneration Power-Plant in Oregon, USA. This established a precedent for the participation of rural energy projects in the carbon offset market
SELCO achieves operational break-even for the first time
Partnership with SEWA Bharath for Project Urja to offer access to reliable electricity for its 3,00,000 female customers.
Heralding financial and energy inclusion, SELCO, in collaboration with REEEP, pioneered innovative financial solutions like margin down payments, interest subventions, and bank guarantees, making solar products accessible to unbanked communities.
SELCO Foundation was created as a Public Charitable Trust to pursue innovation and build the ecosystem for sustainable energy solutions to alleviate poverty.
The E-Shaala initiative was launched to equip underserved schools with solar-powered digital and audiovisual tools to enhance education through sustainable energy.
SELCO collaborates with S3IDF to establish the SELCO Incubation Center, which supports the establishment and growth of local renewable energy enterprises in East and Northeast India, duplicating the SELCO model while building strong local contexts.
SELCO partnered with SEWA Bharat in Bihar to build local capacity, training women in solar energy system design, installation, and service, while fostering innovation tailored to local needs.
The first Service Branch starts in Kundapur, reinforcing the company's commitment to provide door-to-door service and maintenance for solar systems in rural regions.
Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN) established as an Industry body for Decentralized Renewable Energy practitioners, with SELCO as a Founding member.
SELCO partnered with Karuna Trust to solar-power the primary health center in Gumballi, enhancing healthcare delivery for last-mile communities. This initiative marked the beginning of SELCO’s Energy for Health portfolio.
In response to the COVID lockdown, SELCO launched the Resilient Micro Businesses initiative, providing solar-powered livelihood appliances to support rural businesses and artisans affected by the pandemic.
In response to COVID, SELCO trained 25,000 women SHG members on health protocols and set up solar-powered health kiosks for swab collection, enhancing rural healthcare resilience.
SELCO Energy Access Fund invests in rural energy businesses in northeastern India for the first time.
150 Agri and food processing entrepreneurs and SHG owners have been granted access to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries' (MoFPI) PM Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) program; collaborations with State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLM) for district blanketing.
Dr Harish Hande is the co-founder of SELCO Solar Light Private Limited. Harish is a graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and a Masters and PhD from University of Massachusetts, US. Harish got the idea of bringing solar lighting systems to rural India when he was doing his PhD on sustainable energy at the University of Massachusetts. During a field visit to the Dominican Republic, he was surprised to find poor villagers using solar lighting and reasoned that if it was possible for the poor in the Dominican Republic to use solar lights, he should be able to bring solar lights to the rural poor in India too. And thus SELCO started as a social enterprise in 1995. In 2011, Harish was conferred the Ramon Magsaysay Award in recognition of his vision to catalyse development outcomes via sustainable energy. Harish serves on the boards of many organizations, both national and international.
Thomas Pullenkav has more than 24 years of experience in the domains of clean energy access, sustainable development and energy poverty. His expertise lies in the off-grid energy sector, with extensive ground level experience in deploying last mile energy solutions for the poor. Thomas is currently serving as the director of SELCO Solar Private Limited a social enterprise that provides energy solutions to under- served households and businesses and is a senior advisor at SELCO Foundation – the not-for- profit arm of the SELCO group of organisations. He also works as an independent consultant providing advisory support to organizations in the sustainable energy and low carbon development sectors.Thomas was one of the founding member of the team that started SELCO Solar Light Private Limited and he served the organisation in various capacities for more than 13 years. Prior to this, he worked with TATA BP Solar India Limited (now TATA Power Solar Systems Ltd.) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).Thomas is an alumnus of the prestigious Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA). Thomas has been involved in the incubation of social enterprises in his capacity as Team Leader of the Villgro Innovation Foundation’s Energy Entrepreneurship Incubation Initiative and more recently as Advisor of the SELCO Incubation programme.
Ms. Elena Casolari is a passionate advocate and practitioner of gender smart investing, the transformative power of impact investing and the social enterprise movement. She is the Co-founder, Partner and CEO of OPES Italia, an investment fund investing in early stage impact enterprises in Italy. She is also the Co-founder and President of OPES-LCEF Fund, an impact investment vehicle that provides financial resources and management support to early stage social enterprises whose businesses serve low income people and disadvantaged communities. For 10 years she was CEO at ACRA, an international NGO and before that she spent 12 years in the investment banking industry covering emerging markets. She serves as a Director at Fondazione Umano Progresso, the Social Impact Agenda for Italy and at LBV an innovative start up tackling gender inequalities at the workplace and promoting life work balance. She is also a member of the General Council of Fondazione Compagnia San Paolo, one of the leading banking Foundation in Italy. After her graduation in Management, she was a Monbushoo fellow at the Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo for two years.
Professor M S Sriram is Faculty and Chairperson at the Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for Development of Research in Banking Technology, Hyderabad. In the past he was the Professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; Vice President (Finance) at BASIX and a faculty member at Institute of Rural Management Anand. He started his career as a Development Officer with the Co-operative Development Foundation, working with primary agricultural co-operatives helping them to draw business plans, streamline accounting systems and participating as a resource person in their training programmes. Since then, his later work spanned both academics and practice. His research work is largely in the area of agricultural and rural finance, co-operatives and microfinance. He is a co-author of three Books – Beyond Micro-credit, published by Sage-Vistaar, and two books on Flow of Credit to Small and Marginal Farmers. He has served on several expert committees appointed by the Indian Government, Reserve Bank and NABARD, including on the Task Force on revival of Rural Cooperative Credit Institutions [Vaidyanathan Committee]. He is currently on the external advisory committee of the RBI that is evaluating the licence for the proposed Small Finance Banks. He is also on the board of NDDB Dairy Services, NABARD Financial Services, Centre for Budget and Policy Studies, and is a Trustee of Pratham Books and Dastkar Andhra. In addition to the above, he has been a writer in Kannada. He has five books of fiction and four books of essays to his credit. He won the Masti Kannada Seva Nidhi Award for his first manuscript Mayadarpana and the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award for 2014 for his work of fiction Salman Khanana Difficulties and in 2015 for his collection of essays Arthartha. He is a graduate from Institute of Rural Management Anand and completed his doctoral studies at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
A writer, thinker, public opinion maker, artist, organizer and leader of people, Mr Mohan Bhaskar Hegde is an inspiration for people who know him. As the Chief Executive Officer of SELCO Solar Light Pvt Ltd, Sri Mohan Hegde has been a leading light in Sustainable Development bringing in innovative solutions based on renewable energy for the under-served communities in India. An accomplished Yakshagana artist, he brings along the aspects of quick logical thinking and grace into organization management helping people to achieve beyond their self assessed ability. He has worked as an consulting Accountant and independent journalist for almost a decade before joining SELCO in 2001.
Guruprakash Shetty is a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mangalore. He started his career in SELCO as Sales Executive at Udupi branch since 2001. Currently, he heads the entire operational activities of SELCO in South Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He is also incharge of the Customer Support, Energy Associate and Financial Innovation departments.
Sudipta Ghosh is a B.E (Electrical) and PG diploma in Business Management. He has 10 years of experience primarily in software designing prior to joining SELCO in 2012. He leads the Consultancy Department providing advisory support for DRE adoptions in sectors like Health, Livelihood and Entrepreneurship. He is in charge of the Projects department overseeing institutional projects and innovation initiatives. He oversees the MIS and other technology initiatives.
Deputy General Manager - Operations
Prasanna Hegde is a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Bangalore University. He started to work in the clean energy space as a Business Associate of SELCO before joining SELCO in 2001. He heads the operations of North Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He is also in charge of the Human Resource department.
Manjunath Bhagwat, originally from Uttara Kannada and settled in Chitradurga for the past 20 years, is an Area Manager at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. He oversees operations across six districts—Chitradurga, Davangere, Koppal, Haveri, Tumkuru, and Sirsi—driving renewable energy solutions for underserved communities for over 20 years.
Beyond his professional work, Mr. Bhagwat is actively involved in event management and cultural initiatives, organizing educational and social programs within his community. As a member of Samskara Bharati, he promotes Indian arts and culture, while his involvement with the Red Cross reflects his dedication to humanitarian causes.
Prakash Kumar is an Area Manager – Operations at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., overseeing Ballari, Anantapur, and Tirupati areas. He first joined SELCO in 2008 as a Sales Executive, took a brief break for further education, and rejoined in 2011 as a Branch Manager. With a Diploma and Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics (EEE), he has extensive experience in renewable energy financing and project implementation.
Mr. Kumar has worked closely with banking institutions, facilitating over 200 bank loans for end-users in rural areas. He has also collaborated with organisations, supporting over 3 solar-model villages, 350 educational institutions and installing 600+ community streetlights in rural villages.
Area Managers - Livelihoods
Prasad, hailing from Puttur, has been with SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. for over 20 years, specializing in Livelihood and Productive Use Renewable Energy (PURE) solutions. With extensive experience in implementing sustainable energy projects, he plays a key role in empowering communities by integrating renewable energy into income-generating activities.
Area Managers - Operations
Sanjith Rai, based in Belthangady, has 22 years of experience in the renewable energy sector and currently serves as an Area Manager at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. He oversees operations in Belthangady, Puttur, Sulia, Hassan, and Kasargod. Since joining SELCO in September 2003 as a Technician, he has risen through the ranks as a Sales Executive, Branch Manager, and now Area Manager, driving sustainable energy solutions across the region.
Area Managers - Operations
Shekar Shetty, based in Kundapur, has been with SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. since February 2000. Starting in Office Administration, he has grown into a key role overseeing operations in Mangaluru, Karkala, Kundapura, Chikamagaluru, Shimoga, Hosanagara, and Kumta. With over two decades of experience, he plays a vital role in managing and expanding SELCO’s sustainable energy initiatives across these regions
Vinayak Hegde, a native of Anegundi, Yallapur, Uttara Kannada, has been with SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. since 2002. Starting as a Technician at the Sirsi branch, he transitioned into sales before taking on leadership roles across multiple locations, including Ahmedabad, Kumta, Shimoga, and Belagavi. Currently serving as an Area Manager, he oversees operations in Belagavi, Bailhongal, Chikkodi, and Bihar.
With two decades of experience, Mr. Hegde has played a key role in expanding SELCO’s impact, navigating challenges in the field, and driving renewable energy adoption. His dedication was recognized when he received the “Star Performer of the Year” award at the SELCO’s 30th Annual Day in 2024.
Area Managers - Operations
Gurumurthy Hegde, currently serving as the Area Manager – Operations at SELCO. I have been with the organization since 2003 and oversee operations across the Dharwad, Hubballi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapur branches. With years of experience, I am dedicated to improving efficiency and promoting sustainable energy solutions in these regions. My focus is on delivering impactful and reliable solar energy solutions to rural communities.
Area Manager - Customer Support
Surekha B. Hegde, based in Mangalore, is an Area Manager – Customer Support Department at SELCO India. She began her career at Anand Electronics in 1998, where she worked for four years, followed by a three-year tenure as a teacher in Karkala. She joined SELCO in 2006 as an Office Administrator, managing daily operations. Over the years, she took on expanded responsibilities, growing within the organization and contributing to its success in customer support and service excellence.
Parthasarathy CR, Chief Manager of Special Projects at SELCO Solar Light Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, has 12 years of experience in information technology, microfinance, and renewable energy, with the last 10 years dedicated to operational project implementation in rural schools, project management, fundraising, and partnership management, currently leading the Projects Department while collaborating with diverse stakeholders such as the Government, civil society, corporates, and educational institutions.His interests lie in developmental studies, policy, primary education, rural finance, environment, and sustainability.He holds an engineering degree in Electronics and Communication from VTU, which provided him with a strong technical foundation. To further expand his expertise in development and rural management, he pursued a PGDM in Rural Management from Xavier’s Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.
Ravikiran, an Area Manager – Special Projects at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., is based in Bangalore and hails from Udupi. With over 22 years of field experience, he specializes in end-to-end project management, including system design, procurement planning, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting of solar projects.
A B.Com graduate with a Diploma in Computer Applications, Ravikiran is deeply committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions. He has served as a Senior Technical Trainer, conducting training programs for ITIs, Self-Help Groups, and Renewable Energy Enterprises, and has been a visiting faculty member at various educational institutions. His contributions include mentoring energy professionals, conducting solar energy workshops, and commissioning both domestic and international solar projects.
Passionate about continuous learning and innovation, Ravikiran strives to expand his expertise in renewable energy and drive impactful solutions for a sustainable future.
Vinayak Doddagoudar, Regional Project Manager at Selco Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., has over 23 years of experience in solar power projects, operations and maintenance, oil and gas, industrial infrastructure, hospitals, power generation plants, and substations. He has managed an 800 MW solar energy portfolio, handling projects ranging from 20 MW to 80 MW, and overseeing operations and maintenance for plants ranging from 40 MW to 300 MW.
With strong technical skills in AutoCAD and project design, Mr. Doddagoudar is responsible for implementing and managing the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of solar power plants across India, conducting technical audits, and leading techno-business activities. His strategic leadership ensures alignment with organizational goals, drives high-performance teams, and optimizes solar energy business operations.
Area Manager - Special Projects
Dattatraya R. Bhat, based in Sirsi, is an Area Manager – Projects at SELCO India. He has been associated with SELCO since 2000, initially as a part-time employee, and transitioned to a full-time role in 2011. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience working across CSD, Logistics, and Projects Departments, contributing to the successful execution of sustainable energy solutions.
Mr. D.P. Ashwin is a dedicated professional with 11 years of experience at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., specializing in logistics management and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, he spent seven years as a Senior Manager in Logistics, overseeing supply chain operations, procurement, and the distribution of renewable energy solutions.
For the past four years, Ashwin has led special projects and CSR initiatives, focusing on solar-powered livelihood solutions, education, and community development. His expertise in strategic planning and operational efficiency has been instrumental in implementing sustainable energy projects that drive social change. Committed to innovation and sustainability, he continues to integrate renewable energy solutions with logistics and CSR-driven interventions, contributing to SELCO’s mission of creating lasting environmental and social impact.
Uma Patil is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in the development sector, spanning health, education, agriculture, and skill development. She joined as Regional Manager for Financial Institutions in March 2024 and brings extensive expertise in collaborating with community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), funding agencies, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Uma holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Bangalore University and recently completed a Master’s program at Deakin University in Texas. Her career journey reflects her strong commitment to advancing impactful projects and leveraging her deep knowledge and strategic insights. A self-motivated and continuous learner, she is dedicated to building meaningful partnerships and promoting sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Manager
Srinivasa Rao, Chief Manager – Product Innovation and Procurement, based in Bengaluru, holds an M.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and has over 14 years of experience across Automobile, Power Electronics, and Infrastructure sectors. He previously worked at CPWD and later explored alternative models in education, natural farming, and community-based living, reshaping his perspective on sustainability. At Selco India, he leads the procurement department, focusing on product innovation and key technology initiatives to drive sustainable solar energy solutions.
Praveen Kumar Y is an experienced professional currently serving as Area Manager – Logistics in Manipal. With over 26 years of expertise in Services, Branch Operations, Projects, and Logistics, he has developed strong skills in product and technical knowledge, procurement, supply chain management, new product identification with R&D, insurance, GST, and project solutions. Passionate about sustainable energy, he continuously seeks opportunities to drive impactful and innovative projects in the field.
With a Diploma in Electronics and Renewable Energy Management, Praveen has successfully led and executed several major projects, including the installation of a 151-system solar power plant at Bhutan RSPN Centre (2004), implementation of radio communication systems for the Forest Department (2005), deployment of 10,000 street lights across Pali District, Rajasthan, and execution of 100 off-grid solar power solutions for health centers in Meghalaya. He also played a key role in commissioning a 60 kW off-grid system at Shirali Mata and has conducted numerous internal and external technical training programs.
Pradyumna U K, originally from Udupi, Karnataka, joined SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. in 2018 as Chief Manager – Accounts and Finance and is currently heading the Accounts and Finance functions. He is a Chartered Accountant with a strong background in financial strategy, compliance, and capital planning. Prior to SELCO, he worked with the Manipal Group in the manufacturing sector.
Purnima K N brings over 30 years of experience in the Accounts domain, with 21 years dedicated to SELCO since joining in 2004 as an Accounts Executive. She has contributed to key financial functions including cash flow management, branch budgeting, P&L oversight, and handling receivables, payables, and bank accounts. Since 2013, she has been involved in statutory and fixed asset-related responsibilities, managing VAT, Service Tax, GST, TDS, and other compliance requirements, along with rental agreements, income statements, and statutory audit processes using ERP accounting systems. In 2020, she was promoted to Chief Manager – Statutory & Fixed Assets, continuing to lead these critical functions for the organization.
Area Manager - Revenue Management
“Chandrakala brings over 18 years of experience at SELCO. During her tenure, she has managed a wide range of responsibilities—from overseeing financial operations, audits, and statutory compliance to supporting the development of systems that promote efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. She has also worked closely with other departments to ensure smooth coordination between finance, HR, and administration.
Her approach is grounded in the belief that people are central to any organisation’s success. She aims to build strong professional relationships, support teams with financial insights, and help nurture a culture of accountability and trust. Collaborating across departments has greatly deepened her understanding of collaborative leadership and process improvement.”
Area Manager - HR and Admin
Ramya is an experienced Human Resources professional with over 17 years at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., where she has played a key role in building inclusive HR systems and nurturing a supportive work culture. She has led initiatives in recruitment, training, and team development, with a strong focus on empowering individuals across diverse locations. Ramya believes people are the foundation of meaningful impact and remains passionate about fostering environments where employees feel valued, motivated, and connected to SELCO’s mission of sustainable energy access.
SELCO's investors are all non-profit entities committed to impact first investment philosophies. Together, they contribute to our financial stability while strengthening our social impact for last mile energy access globally.
Documents
At SELCO, we are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in our operations.
SELCO family
SELCO believes that the most effective way to drive widespread adoption of energy solutions will be to create a conducive market environment with five key ecosystem elements: financial inclusion (access to financing), human resource development (local talent), inclusive policies (government support), market linkages (local suppliers), and technology and design products that meet customer needs.
To bring about change across all ecosystem elements, SELCO today is a group of organizations, each tasked with addressing gaps in the energy access ecosystem.
