Innovative Projects Start Up Grand Challenge – Rooftop Solar (RTS) and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Technologies

Low- and middle-income households face significant financial barriers in adopting rooftop solar systems due to high upfront costs and limited access to affordable financing models. The lack of modular, cost-efficient solar solutions, coupled with the high costs of energy storage and manual maintenance, further discourages adoption. There is an urgent need for innovative business models, such as solar leasing, circular economy approaches, and user-friendly technologies that reduce both capital and operational costs. Following are the specific Problem Statements:

• High upfront costs and financing barriers prevent low/middle-income households from adopting rooftop solar. Possible solutions are: Pay-as-you-go solar leasing, crowdfunding platforms.

The increasing integration of rooftop solar into the grid has led to new vulnerabilities, including voltage instability, reverse power flows, and exposure to extreme weather events. Additionally, the growing use of digital systems introduces cybersecurity risks. Remote and disaster-prone communities often lack resilient energy systems, relying on unreliable grids and diesel-based solutions. Innovations are required to make rooftop solar systems more climate-resilient, digitally secure, and operationally autonomous, especially in vulnerable regions. Following are the specific Problem Statements:

• High rooftop solar penetration destabilizes grids (voltage fluctuations, reverse flow). Possible solutions are: Grid-forming inverters, AI-driven demand-response systems, or decentralized microgrids.

• Solar systems are vulnerable.

A large segment of the population—particularly renters, low-income families, and residents of multi-tenant buildings—remain excluded from rooftop solar benefits due to limited rooftop ownership, inadequate access to financing, and technical constraints in shared systems. Existing models often fail to ensure equitable distribution of energy. There is a need for inclusive deployment mechanisms such as virtual net metering, shared solar arrangements, and financing schemes tailored to underserved communities. Following are the specific Problem Statements:

• Low-income households and renters lack access to rooftop solar benefits. Possible solutions are: Community solar programs, virtual net-metering, or subsidized solar kits for apartments.

• Rural/developing regions lack technical expertise.

The rapid growth of solar installations has surfaced sustainability concerns such as land-use conflicts, inefficient panel disposal, and continued use of diesel generators in off-grid areas. Urban deployments are constrained by space, shading, and structural challenges, while the lack of robust e-waste recycling infrastructure exacerbates environmental impact. Startups must focus on creating eco-friendly solar designs, circular life-cycle solutions, and clean alternatives to fossil-fuel-based energy sources. Following are the specific Problem Statements:

• Aging solar panels create e-waste; recycling infrastructure is underdeveloped. Possible solutions are: Robotic panel disassembly, incentivized take-back programs, or material recovery tech.

• New and Innovative solar technologies. Possible solutions are: Land neural solar technologies AgripV, BIPV, Floating PV, Rail/ Road Integrated PV, Urban PV.

• Urban rooftop solar adoption is limited by space constraints and shading. Possible solutions are: Modular perovskite solar panels, vertical-axis wind hybrids, or solar carports. Drone based surveys.

• Diesel generators dominate off-grid regions, increasing emissions. Possible solutions are: Solar microgrids with green hydrogen storage or biomass-solar hybrid systems.