When he turned 15, Kunwer Sachdev began helping his older brother sell pens to shops in Delhi. It was the late 1970s, and the nation’s capital was not immune to rolling blackouts, which increased in frequency during the sweltering summer months. Today, at the age of 52, Sachdev is the founder and chief executive officer of Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd, one of India’s largest back-up power companies. It manufactures inverters and other devices—which he didn’t have access to when he was growing up—that provide uninterrupted power supply so that electrical appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioners and fans can function when the grid fails to deliver.
Power outages are still very much a part of life in India, including Delhi. In its most recent study, the World Bank reported that over 1.2 billion people, or 20 percent of the world’s population, don’t have access to electricity, of which more than 400 million live in India. For companies like Su-Kam that benefit when the lights go off, business has never been better. Su-Kam’s revenues for 2013-14 stand at Rs 1,200 crore, up by 20 percent from 2012-13.
These days, though, Sachdev has been paying close attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of replicating Gujarat’s 24-hour power supply model across the whole of India. And industry analysts believe that this goal can be achieved over the next five to 10 years. It’s also why the first-generation entrepreneur, who attributes his success to his ability to plan for future needs, is looking up to the sun for inspiration—and profit.
Su-Kam is betting on individual home owners generating solar power to reduce their electricity bills. The majority of consumers currently plug inverters and UPS batteries to their appliances, which then charge and hoard power from the main grid. Sachdev has flipped this model: He has started manufacturing inverters and UPS devices that can draw power from solar panels, which Su-Kam began manufacturing in 2004.
“We started research and development [R&D] for regular inverters in 2000. We don’t have to do anything special for solar-powered products. I’m already dealing in batteries, which use direct current [DC]. Solar panels also use DC. All I have to do is replace the battery in a regular inverter with a solar powered one,” says Sachdev.
He may not have an engineering degree, but he knows the nuts and bolts of the technology Su-Kam is betting on. “We started manufacturing solar-powered products a decade ago, and today it accounts for 20 percent of our sales,” he says.
Su-Kam offers solar solutions for homes and businesses. Apart from solar panels and hybrid UPS devices, it manufactures solar batteries, inverters, home lighting systems and network management systems. Sachdev wants to decentralise the power generating process. Instead of setting up large projects (more than 25 MW) that harness sunlight and sell electricity to the government’s central power grid, Su-Kam is selling smaller 5 kilowatts (KW) to 1 MW solar-powered systems to villages and housing complexes.
“We don’t sell to the government, which involves sourcing land to generate the required 25-30 MW of power. Here, the customer provides the land and we provide the technology,” says Sachdev. “Whatever the solar unit produces will get ‘mixed’ into the customer’s normal power supply because of which a household’s bill will reduce. You recover the investment in a few years, and the burden on the government to generate more power is lessened.”
Sachdev’s solar solutions plans are intriguing because they form a sort of hybrid between completely decentralised solutions such as individual solar lanterns and large solar farms.
Su-Kam is still in the pilot phase of this project. Since the start of 2014, the company has installed solar products—which provide eight to 10 hours of power supply daily—in 1 lakh homes across India. And it says that exports to more than 70 countries account for 15 percent of its sales (both regular and solar-powered devices). “We have a presence in African nations, but we are seeing that the highest demand for solar products is in India itself,” says Sachdev. This is why he has scaled up R&D in solar products at his Gurgaon facility. Five years ago, barely two out of the 45-strong team of engineers researched this sector. Today, it has evolved into a unit of 15 engineers.
Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, he set up Su-Kam—a cable TV accessories company—in Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh in 1988 with Rs 10,000. The fact that he didn’t have an engineering degree did not deter him. He picked the right business and, by 1998, the cable TV sector in India was booming. Sachdev says he was making a tidy Rs 3-4 crore as annual turnover.
Check out our Festive offers upto Rs.1000/- off website prices on subscriptions + Gift card worth Rs 500/- from Eatbetterco.com. Click here to know more.
(This story appears in the 12 December, 2014 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
I can relate your story with mine's.... n I must say India needs entrepreneurs like you. I am glad to hear that your company will be utilising solar energy n that's a superb move. Its really inspiring and innovative. thank you.
on Aug 17, 2015Excellent Approach. Infact small solar applications have great demand. Even a reliable dual powered (Solar USB) LED reading light has penetrated in the rural areas. I have been advocating Dual powered Reading Lights to save enormous power. These are mobile and will be a boon for students in Houses and Hostels besides everybody. With the high-rise buildings coming up even in towns Roof Top Solar besides small wind turbines make sense. I think Su-Kam is going for Demand Pull Approach. Wish Su-Kam all success. Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP)
on Apr 24, 2015I wish all energy companies in India go for solar - green and clean energy. I don\'t support nuclear at all - it is so bad for the environment. One disaster and our country\'s poor will face problems for a lifetime.
on Feb 18, 2015Great story.
on Feb 4, 2015Inspiring & innovative
on Dec 26, 2014Great Su Kam is moving to become a big Solar Co.
on Dec 26, 2014This man is rising very fast I don\'t know if he is a manipulator or straight guy..I need to know more about him.
on Dec 25, 2014Make in India compaign of Narender Modi is taking shape.
on Dec 25, 2014I feel the solar industry is going to go a long way and we read such articles and feel proud of indian entrepreneurs.
on Dec 25, 2014Great job!!!! I wish you good luck for ur future solar project May all ur dreams come true And am sure u will achieve it
on Dec 24, 2014Solar in India is very important..our PM Modi want to see this happn. So this co is driving in the right direction. I congratlate Mr Kunwer Sachdev for doing this in India..he is a visionary man..
on Dec 23, 2014He is called The Inverter Man of India..
on Dec 22, 2014Really very inspiring hats off to u sir - u r a gr8 leader who created this brand and taken it to new heights
on Dec 18, 2014Mr Sachdeva has been In the fire front of Make in India campaign he has created this co from scratch and true leader
on Dec 18, 2014Moving to solar solutions is a big step by Su-Kam which will help to reduce our carbon foot print.
on Dec 17, 2014Heartiest Congrats, truely inspiring for us.
on Dec 16, 2014Go green with SU-KAM............
on Dec 15, 2014A very inspiring story! I take my hat off to Mr. Sachdev for the innovative thinking and exceptional amount of hard work he has put in to reach such great heights.
on Dec 15, 2014Great sir.
on Dec 15, 2014Great idea of Mr. Sachdev, Wish U All The Very Best!
on Dec 15, 2014Inspiring!!!
on Dec 15, 2014Very well done!
on Dec 15, 2014India needs such innovative and future oriented companies. keep up the good work!
on Dec 14, 2014A really inspiring story! I take my hat off to Mr Sachdev for the innovative thinking and exceptional amount of hard work he has put in to reach such great heights.
on Dec 14, 2014A very inspiring story! I take my hat off to Mr. Sachdev for the exceptional amount of hard work and innovative thinking.
on Dec 14, 2014Kunwer sachdev is a visionary. A true leader in every sense. Wishing him all the very best for future.
on Dec 13, 2014I feel this is a wonderful story on the Indian company which is truly Make in India story..
on Dec 13, 2014Congratulations to Mr. Kunwer Sachdev. Your achievement has inspired us to do something which we dream of, so thanks to you, super congratulations for your\'success. Rgds Hemant (Nippotec.com) Dubai UAE
on Dec 13, 2014We are grateful to Sir in considering us to be a part of his journey and together as a Team we will fulfill all the dreams ahead .
on Dec 13, 2014Result of sheer hard work, determination and dedication is SUKAM. keep up the good work and all the best .. proud of your achievements.(y) ..
on Dec 13, 2014Really we proud of Su-kam
on Dec 13, 2014Mr. Sachdev\'s vision to consume the Green energy is a marvellous idea. India gets 70% more solar energy than Europeon countries, utilising this energy through SPV, will definitely reduse green house effect. Congrats Mr Sachdev and move ahead because sky is not the limit.
on Dec 12, 2014Hats off to sachdev sir...su kam is going great
on Dec 12, 2014An inspirational story. The power Industry will see another big leap under Kunwer Sirs Leadership by using suns energy!!
on Dec 12, 2014True stories like these make you believe that any ordinary person can realise their dreams if they are determined and talented. Oh! I also love the fact that Su-Kam\'s solar stuff is helping India become greener. I know so many people who have installed their solar products and are reaping the benefits whilesaving the planet. Let\'s solarize India with Su-Kam.
on Dec 12, 2014Sachdev\'s plans are definitely intriguing as well as ambitious. The success of the plan will largely lie on a quick ROI and smaller investment costs for retail customers, as he is largely targeting this segment. But is it is a great idea and we need innovative thinkers like him who can help conserve natural resources and pave way for better future.
on Dec 12, 2014Integrating the Power conditioning / Power storage business with Power Generation is an intelligent and timely step in the direction of Growth by Su Kam. Mr. Sachdev\'s timing in the Inverter Business was bang on. I am sure the Solar Power linkage would bring additional leverage to his business. Best wishes to Mr. Sachdev and his team.
on Dec 12, 2014In renewable energy field Solar has potential and Kunwer Sir has realized this fact.Su-Kam products already have won the trust of people and when it will provide them clean and green power they will accept it naturally.
on Dec 12, 2014Great person kunwar sachdeva!!!
on Dec 12, 2014Always boss in inverter industry (kunwer ji)
on Dec 12, 2014Su-Kam has strategic plan for solar energy, I Salute Mr. Kunwer Sachdeva
on Dec 12, 2014...its begnining of new era in power backup industry
on Dec 12, 2014The inverter man of india, Mr Kunwer Sachdev just followed his dreams with sincerity and hardwork
on Dec 12, 2014great thinker and want to achiieve it so fast that people have to run and match his speed.
on Dec 12, 2014Today major challenge is protecting the environment. Very few people are practice of protecting the natural environment. Mr. Kunwer Sachdev are following this practice with the help of advance technology. I really grateful to him to provide us great technological product and breathable environment.
on Dec 12, 2014Excellent to hear that Su-Kam is already invested for more than a decade on solar technlogy; This is one spectrum that will certainly shape up tomorrow\'s energy needs.
on Dec 12, 2014Ideas are easy. It\'s the execution of ideas that really separates the great form the good.......................
on Dec 12, 2014Ideas are easy. It\'s the execution of ideas that really separates the greats from the goods......................
on Dec 12, 2014Great job by Sukam and Kunwer in leading the way in alternate power generation
on Dec 12, 2014Truely inspiring , a man who always thinks differently. Always ready for new challenges.
on Dec 12, 2014It\'s with your inspirational vision that Su-Kam has reached such great heights and still raring to reach greater ones.
on Dec 12, 2014Great sir
on Dec 12, 2014Mr. Kunwer Sachdev MD of Su-kam , more popularly knows as \"Inverter Maestro\", has demonstrated how homegrown technology and innovation can transform a small company to one of the highest names in india and across the globe in power back up and solar energy sector. His innovative thinking , winning attitude and commitment to excellence has positioned the brand Su-kam in the top slot in india and abroad. I am confident Su-kam will now achieve new milestones in solar solutions and contribute lightens life of millions & billions for indians and across the globe !!!
on Dec 12, 2014Mr Kunwer\'s success story is an inspiration for entrepreneurs like us. He single handedly with sheer dedication, strength and vision took this company to this stature. And continues to work towards making this company \" A company of choice\" in the power sector. Best wishes to him for his continued successfull journey.
on Dec 12, 2014Great work by Su-Kam. All the Best.
on Dec 12, 2014Great work n the vision! Good luck ahead!
on Dec 11, 2014Great work n the vision! Good luck ahead
on Dec 11, 2014Really inspiring.great........
on Dec 11, 2014Truly amazing . Hats off sir!
on Dec 11, 2014A great leader who has created a great brand and taking it to a new height!! His actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more!!
on Dec 11, 2014Truly inspirational!
on Dec 11, 2014Sukam is definitely a brand one can trust and will surely soar high in the future.
on Dec 11, 2014A very progressive approach; Kunwer Sachdev is a true visionary. He is now out to tap solar energy.
on Dec 11, 2014Hats off to Mr Sachdev. He is self made man. And thinks at least 20 years ahead of all his competitors. He is doing a great job of Saving this earth by promoting Green initiatives. He is role model for many Indians
on Dec 11, 2014Great leader and inspiration for every entrepreneur.
on Dec 11, 2014I salute to this Great and True Leader (Kunwer ji)
on Dec 11, 2014Kunwer is really a true leader in this industry who set the standard / benchmark. I salute him.
on Dec 11, 2014Truly amazing & inspirational. It takes none other than someone like Mr Kunwer Sachdev to build a mega brand called Su-kam. Kudos!!!!!
on Dec 11, 2014Hats off to the toil that Mr. Sachdev has put in to bring sukam to this level. The story is like a fairytale.. A man who truely is a milestone, an epitome of learning, a person to whome everybody looks forward.. A nayi soch.. A great company and even a greater human being..
on Dec 11, 2014Kunwer\'s success story is an inspiration to entrepreneur\'s like us. Indeed a self made man, with sheer hard work and determination, he has set a company of this stature...on top of it ,always on it to make it company of choice in power domain..best wishes to him.
on Dec 11, 2014It\'s only a hard work of Mr sachdev and his team. I wish he will became worlds top Industrial. Keep it up.
on Dec 11, 2014Story of Mr. Sachdev is like a fairy tale- from rags to riches. Su-kam going the right path. only eco-friendly organisations are going to stay in the long run. Keep up the good work.
on Dec 11, 2014Sukam ek nai soch really proved
on Dec 11, 2014Mr Kunwer\'s creation of solar solutions will be a great success being the need of the nation and is based on his strong research and development expertise.
on Dec 11, 2014Solar is a multi-$B market and Sukam has an opportunity to become a global player. The next 10X growth may not be far away.
on Dec 11, 2014I am sure visionary like Mr Kunwer Sachdev shall succeed with flying colours in this endeavor too.Not only he is smart and visionary but he has a keen sense of predicting the future too along with steely resolve to make it a grand success. We wish Sukam a great success for this----Alpex Solar
on Dec 11, 2014Great story of a great brand. It takes a visionary none less than mr kunwer sachdev to build a mega brand like sukam. Kudos!!!!
on Dec 11, 2014With exquisite ventures in solar power Su Kam is set to be the company of future.
on Dec 11, 2014Mr Sachdev is an inspiration always ...he is like ...a believer ...motivator .. Creator of the change ...... We always wanted.. Oxcellent person God bless our Sukam ..
on Dec 11, 2014Solar is the future...good to know companies like Su-Kam is leading the change.
on Dec 11, 2014Go Green with Su-Kam!
on Dec 11, 2014Go Green with Su-Kam!
on Dec 11, 2014I am sure visionary like Mr Kunwer Sachdev shall succeed with flying colours in this endeavour too. Not only he is smart and visionary but he has a keen sense of predicting the future too along with steely resolve to make it a success. We wish a great future to sukam. ALPEX SOLAR
on Dec 11, 2014Good Service
on Dec 11, 2014Awesome! I really proud of Su-Kam & I would like to say thanks to Mr. Kunwer Sachdev
on Dec 11, 2014A dynamic leader with long term vision , committed to uplift the lives by harnessing the potential of the renewable energy . He is a inspiration and motivation to so many of us
on Dec 11, 2014Solar is certainly the way forward; Glad to see Su-Kam has invested in solar related technology for long. This certainly is one spectrum unlike 2G, 3G that the government can\'t meddle with even if it wants to...
on Dec 11, 2014this is an awesome story
on Dec 11, 2014Kunwer Sachdev, The Inverter Man is now out to capture the solar energy. All the best!
on Dec 11, 2014