Innovation

In a recent publication by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it was indicated that the largest growth in the carbon emissions has come from electricity generation, transport, industry and above all, from building operations. In order to reduce carbon emission, constructing a building with energy efficiency or low carbon emission, is a trend nowadays in construction industry. To achieve a building with low or even zero carbon emission, the design and equipment used by the building is crucial and must be energy efficient.

Since 2017, Prabhu Constructions started the use of Solar Panels, for Electricity generation in the construction projects on hand, be it in the form of light or Solar heating.

The Innovation emerged from a casual discussion between Mr. Prabhu Moni and his son Shubham on the impact of Global Warming, where Shubham suggested the use of Solar Technologies in their upcoming ventures.

In their Upcoming Projects of Commercial and Residential Establishments, they have started including Energy Solutions like Solar Paneling on the roof top. This fulfills the Goal 7 of Clean energy.

During the construction and project phase, Prabhu Constructions ensure that the workers are provided with basic hygiene and clean sanitation facilities along with regular supply of drinking water. Thus fulfilling the Goal 6 of Clean water and Sanitation.

Maintain an equal ratio of Men and Women, working in as office staff. They have two offices, one in Goa and the other in Mumbai. In fact, in the Mumbai office they have more female representation. Thus fulfilling the SDG Goal 5 of Gender Equality.

The more the business, the higher the boost in production of steel rods and all the raw materials used for construction, hence providing a direct correlation between the economy and the business. This satisfies the SDG Goal 8 of Decent Work & Economic Growth.

Building construction is a highly resource intensive process, concerning use of materials, land, energy and water. Since buildings are required to fulfill our primary need for shelter, consumption of these resources is simply unavoidable. However, with shrinking stock of natural resources and degrading eco-system services, the consumption process has to be wise, judicious and non-wasteful. For this, the Prabhu Constructions have installed the underground water storage tanks and they follow the practice of Rainwater Harvesting at their source. This satisfies the SDG Goal 12 of Responsible Consumption and Production.

Inspiration

As we hear it from the horse’s mouth, Mr. Shubham said, “Our vision is to strengthen our position as market leader in Infrastructure Construction & Real Estate Development Projects by Leveraging sustainable development. So this move was completely in line with our vision and would help us to create deeper values for our customers and the society at large.”

Overall impact

As said by Mr. Shubham “It is too soon to weigh out the impact or profitability of the solar panel inclusions, since it is still in the alpha testing phase. But based upon our initiative, we have bagged two new projects and have been getting a positive response from our customers. So we are highly optimistic of this move and I am Sure it will give us great results in the near future.”

Business benefit

“Along with helping the society and keeping the environment in mind the reason to use solar paneling is to offer, something new to our customers which they will accept with a sense of pride and have a feeling of being environment conscious” said Mr. Shubham.

The Business has led to the achievements of the following UN Global Goals-

1. In their Upcoming Projects of Commercial and Residential Establishments they have started including Energy Solutions like Solar Paneling on the roof tops. This fulfills the Goal 7 of Clean energy.
2. During the construction and project phase, Prabhu Constructions ensure that the workers are provided with basic hygiene and clean sanitation facilities along with regular supply of drinking water. Thus fulfilling the Goal 6 of Clean water and Sanitation.
3. Maintain an equal ratio of Men and Women, working in as office staff. They have two offices, one in Goa and the other in Mumbai. In fact, in the Mumbai office they have more female representation. Thus fulfilling the SDG Goal 5 of Gender Equality.
4. The more the business, the higher the boost in production of steel rods and all the raw materials used for construction, hence providing a direct correlation between the economy and the business. This satisfies the SDG Goal 8 of Decent Work & Economic Growth.
5. Building construction is a highly resource intensive process, concerning use of materials, land, energy and water. Since buildings are required to fulfill our primary need for shelter, consumption of these resources is simply unavoidable. However, with shrinking stock of natural resources and degrading eco-system services, the consumption process has to be wise, judicious and non-wasteful. For this, the Prabhu Constructions have installed the underground water storage tanks and they follow the practice of Rainwater Harvesting at their source. This satisfies the SDG Goal 12 of Responsible Consumption and Production.

Social and environmental benefit

Installation of solar panels has very large impact on society and environment. A study called the Green Rating Project, the two-year study by the New Delhi-based think tank Center for Science and Environment (CSE), gives the country’s first environmental rating of coal-based power plants and shows the sector’s performance to be way below the global benchmarks covered 47 plants across 16 states, accounting for half the coal-based thermal power plants in India. It found that the sector performed poorly on all environmental and energy parameters, getting a score of 23% and as many as 40% of the plants scored below 20%. Globally, a thermal plant following all the best practices can get a score of 80%.

The average efficiency of the Indian plants was 32.8%, one of the lowest among the major power producing countries. Their average carbon dioxide emissions were 14% higher than the average in China. Carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas that is causing climate change, which in turn is reducing farm output worldwide, raising sea levels and making droughts, storms and floods more frequent and more severe.

Here we have this company which is reducing its dependency on coal based electricity and playing its part in reducing emission of harmful gases. This in turn curbs down many harmful impacts.

Interviews

Mr. Shubham Prabhu Moni, General Manager

Mr. Venkatesh Prabhu Moni, Managing Director