Men like Mr. Saibal Kumar Hazra, the Managing Director of NVD Solar Limited, are few and precious in this strife-torn world. A dreamer by heart and a leader by profession, here’s a look at the journey of this global entrepreneur who with his fierce passion has pioneered the concept of renewable energy products in the country…
What was your main inspiration behind working for solar energy?
Mr. Hazra: ‘Green Earth and Eco–friendly Products’ perhaps these words have inspired me to conceptualise and create something new and renewable. In addition, my challenging attitude and alacrity to serve the mass added fuel to it.
Tell us about the story of NVD. How has the journey been so far?
Mr. Hazra: It was in 2002, when I was thinking of escaping the then-deteriorating telecom industry, and looking for an opportunity to start a new business. Different business opportunities were whirling in my mind, but the rapid depletion of coal and natural gases, which are used for generating electricity, forecasted the gradual inclination towards renewable sources of energy, and thus, it gained priority over other business avenues. Moreover, the thought of green earth and demand of eco-friendly products further strengthened my the decision.
The journey started in 2003 with the distribution of solar energy products, and gradually with time and relevant knowledge, skills and expertise, we started manufacturing our own products in 2005, under the brand name ‘Sunway’. Till 2006, we lost considerable amount of sales due to high start-up capital invested for the solar products. In order to mitigate this loss, we got our products funded and this triggered our sales figures. Furthermore, the government subsidy on the purchase of solar products increased our sales substantially. However, fortunately or unfortunately, this concept of financing collapsed miserably with a huge burden of bad debts from the customers. The situation called for a strategic decision, and we started a new scheme that is just the opposite of what we have been doing earlier. It is called the Advance Payment Scheme, under which the customer needs to pay money in advance through monthly installments and collect the product after successful payments within the agreed tenure. In order to stimulate the market demands, we conducted training sessions for solar products, along with organising various renewable energy campaigns across the nation, to promote the use of renewable energy products.
What are the major obstacles that you faced in your path? How have you dealt with them?
Mr. Hazra: The major obstacles that we faced at NVD were presented in the form of high start-up capital for our solar products’ installation, product availability to the end-users, product awareness, and competition from other established brands in the industry. We overcame these difficulties by gradually strengthening our agents’ network and by reaching to more and more customers consistently. Furthermore, our traditional dealer-distributor network and the unique ‘The Green Shop’ concept have fostered wider availability and aided the prospect with a single window facility.
How do you keep your employees motivated at work?
Mr. Hazra: I keep my employees motivated at work simply by giving the following three things, apart from salary: love and affection, respect, and reward.
What are your future plans for NVD Solar? Is there any new market that you would like to explore in the near future?
Mr. Hazra: My goal at NVD is to gain a pan-India presence through our agents’ network by 2015. Soon, we would also like to implement the grid-connected PV system concept in Bengal, and gradually expand the idea to the rest of the country. We have already started our activities in Bangladesh, and now, we are all set to enter other markets like Vietnam, UK, and Japan.
What differentiates NVD from its competitors?
Mr. Hazra: It is simply the quality and service that distinguishes us from our competitors. We are in technological partnership with Renesas, a joint venture of Hitachi, Mitsubishi and NEC. We provide world-class products with a programmable microcontroller processor inside. We also provide the world’s No. 1 solar lantern. We have fleets of strong agents who are trained to provide minor support to the on-site customers and a pack of technicians to provide major support.
Define the potential of the solar energy industry in India?
Mr. Hazra: India is a fast growing market and its population too is developing in terms of education and awareness. Since 2003, we have witnessed a gradual shift in the energy sourcing pattern, right from conventional and non-renewable sources of energy to non-conventional and renewable sources of energy. Now, if we estimate the potential, the figures will increase rapidly and appear astronomically high. So, to describe it in simple terms, we can think of having a solar lantern in every household of rural India.
How would you describe the reach of your company?
Mr. Hazra: The reach of the company is looming large towards a pan-India presence, along with its presence in Bangladesh. Whether it is about installing a solar power plant in a factory in Coimbatore, solar street lights in Ukhra, or dual-charging inverter in Delhi, NVD marks its presence everywhere.
Who has been your inspiration in life?
Mr. Hazra: Without a second thought, it is definitely Dhirubhai Ambani who inspires me. I do not think that I have enough words to describe his traits, but the only thing I would like to mention is that dream, determination and devotion can make us attain our goals.
What is your message for the youth of India?
Mr. Hazra: My only message to the youth of the country is ‘Run with Sun and Earn with Sun’.
