Dubai: A resident of Arabian Ranches has turned his villa into an energy-saving showpiece by harnessing solar power to light up his garden and some indoor spaces.
Ajay Gupta, chief executive of Centre for Sustainable Development and Research (CSDR), a US-based green consulting firm, believes in practising what he preaches and has converted his four-bedroom home in the gated community into an energy-efficient villa.
Garden of dreams
The Guptas have not switched on their regular garden lights for some time now – solar lights have more than compensated for these. Even the number sign at the villa is lit up by Led lights at night, with its own tiny solar panel charger.
At sunset, hundreds of garden lights as well as five luminous pots and a bright street light – all set on auto mode – flicker to life one by one.
The villa uses a solar water heater while an experimental solar AC sits in the Guptas’ visitor lounge, too.
“We want to show that it is possible to do it without disrupting one’s life. Whatever savings on utility bills one gets is only a bonus,” said Gupta.
A hotel management graduate, Gupta worked as chief executive of a large property firm after his hotel stints. Three years ago, the father of one decided to become his own boss by establishing CSDR, both as a think-tank and trading firm.
The trading arm represents the OHM brand of environment-friendly products, including street lights. The company has also adopted villages in Africa and India by giving solar lanterns to hundreds of residents.
“A low-carbon lifestyle is here,” stressed Gupta, explaining that saving energy does not mean scrimping or reducing one’s personal comfort.
Though his main job is advising governments and investors in Africa on sustainable projects, his other mission is to convince his neighbours, family and friends that it is doable today.
“Saving energy does not mean compromising on one’s quality of life, but simply adopting a more sustainable lifestyle,” he said.
His entire villa is fitted with low-energy Led lights, saving over 1,400 watts per hour by converting 30 pieces of 50-watt halogen lamps to 3-watt Led lights with a similar illumination.
The master bedroom uses a $100 (Dh367) solar home kit, which comes with two 3-watt bulbs, a 7.5-watt solar panel, a charge controller and the battery pack.
It runs for up to six hours on a full charge. Sitting loosely on the roof next to his balcony are several small panels illuminating different parts of the villa.
“Led lights last up to 70,000 hours, while halogen only lasts less than half of that,” said Ajay.
“What’s great about solar panels is that they have a service life of between 12 to 15 years. All satellites work on solar power and most do their job for many years,” he said.
It wasn’t all that easy making the shift.
His wife, Ranjana, a lawyer by training who helps Ajay run the company, was cynical at first. “I was the devil’s advocate, objecting till I experienced it myself. Aside from commercial benefit, there’s also the feel-good factor,” said Ranjana.
The payoff? A much lower utility bill for their four-bedroom villa, which they declined to reveal.
Taking the lead from the Guptas, a number of neighbours have also started using energy-efficient garden and indoor lights.