Solar Specialists, an esteemed community founded by Rajesh Kulkarni in 2013, marked a significant milestone by commemorating its 10th Anniversary Meet on the 7th and 8th of October 2023, amidst the enchanting backdrop of Goa. From humble beginnings as a WhatsApp group comprising a small band of passionate solar professionals, it has flourished into an exclusive community, boasting 231 elite solar specialists from India and around the globe.
This two-day summit in Goa represented a jubilant celebration of the collective passion and expertise that binds the Solar Specialists community together. It stands as an embodiment of the potent synergy of collective wisdom and the unyielding commitment of its members to the solar industry. SolarQuarter had the exclusive privilege of being the sole media presence at the seminar.
The event featured two noteworthy sessions:
Session 1, led by Shilpa Urhekar, National Head, Solar EPC Business, Sterling & Wilson and Dilip Kumar, Founder, Inspire Clean Energy, provided a humorous perspective on how a seemingly mundane Excel spreadsheet shoulders the weight of entire projects in the fiercely competitive solar market. The session encouraged developers to collaborate on cost analysis and establish a minimum benchmark to ensure the quality and longevity of solar projects.
Session 2, helmed by Monika Rathi, Country Head, Vena Energy India and Pratyush Thakur, Investment Director & Country Head India, Blueleaf Energy delved into the readiness of the industry to achieve the ambitious target of 500 GW set for 2030. Stakeholders shared their insights on prevailing policy challenges and offered a realistic estimate of the attainable target by 2030.
The event fostered insightful discussions on the latest trends in the solar industry, an in-depth exploration of policy and regulatory developments, and a review of cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of solar energy. It provided a unique platform for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and advance their shared mission of promoting clean and sustainable energy solutions.
The event also included an awards ceremony where the recipients were chosen through a democratic voting process, without a jury.
Rajesh Kulkarni, the visionary force behind Solar Specialists and Director of Sales at URON Energy, a renowned company for its high-capacity solar power plants in India, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the future. “Our 10th Anniversary Meet has showcased the remarkable journey of Solar Specialists over the past decade. We are poised for even greater accomplishments in the years to come as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation in the solar industry.”
Furthermore, Rajesh Kulkarni was rightfully honored as the “Solar Specialist of the Decade,” a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of solar energy and his pivotal role in the company’s success.
Reflecting on the remarkable Solar Specialists 10th Anniversary Meet in Goa, prominent industry figures shared their thoughts and appreciation for the event.
Vaman Kuber, Founder and CEO of Solar Systems Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm saying “What a stellar event we had! It went well beyond a ‘face to name’ event. Let’s have such extended events every year to develop stronger bonds in our renewable energy journey. Three cheers for Rajesh, the Uron team, all volunteers, award winners, presenters, singers, dancers, and all the rest of us who made these the most memorable days.”
Gautam Samantha, Head of PV Technologies at Juniper Green Energy, expressed his gratitude, stating: “Thanks to the CHIEF & URON families for organizing the fabulous Goa-Meet 2023. Also, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and the exceptional back-end team for their meticulous planning and the superb execution of events at Hotel Lalit, Goa over the past two days. This gathering serves as a valuable lesson, particularly for those professionally engaged in project management teams in various organizations, in terms of how to engage different stakeholders effectively both within and outside the organization.”
“I extend my thanks to Rajesh for providing us with the invaluable opportunity to meet with the powerhouses of the industry and spend these two incredibly enjoyable days. The remarkable efforts put forth by you and the Uron team, including Kush and Urvish Dave are truly commendable. It is pleasantly surprising to witness the selfless camaraderie, warmth, and mutual respect within this group,” said Aarti Jhaveri, President-Supply Chain at InSolare Energy Pvt. Ltd.
Swaralipi Maity, Executive Director, Wattpower Systems, shared her thoughts: “A growing industry like solar would immensely benefit from informal gatherings of stalwarts in the solar industry. We had the opportunity to exchange ideas, information, and plans with a wider and more precise target audience in a very conducive environment. I am sure it has benefited all of us.”
As Solar Specialists celebrates a decade of knowledge-sharing, camaraderie, and unwavering dedication to the solar industry, it remains a shining exemplar of what can be achieved when like-minded professionals unite to drive positive change in the realm of renewable energy.
