For CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions (CleanMax), the rooftop is the foundation of its business. The company pioneered the energy sale model for rooftop solar projects in India in 2011 and later expanded into wind, solar farms, and hybrid energy. Today, CleanMax stands at the forefront of India’s commercial and industrial renewable energy sector, with 2 GW of operational assets across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Under the leadership of founder and managing director Kuldeep Jain, CleanMax has established itself as a leading sustainability partner of choice for prominent Indian and global corporations.
Reflecting on CleanMax’s journey, Jain underscores the company’s consistent mission: to serve as a net-zero partner for corporations. Unlike many in the renewable energy landscape, CleanMax strategically concentrates solely on corporate clients, recognising their significant energy consumption (over half of India’s total) and their growing commitment to both cost efficiency and sustainable practices – areas where CleanMax provides tailored solutions.
Jain attributes CleanMax’s success to two key factors: early recognition of the renewable energy trend, evidenced by their initiation of some of India’s first rooftop solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and a consistent, unwavering focus on the corporate segment. This focus, he believes, has enabled CleanMax to diversify its corporate offerings, expand its geographical reach, and cultivate a strong, specialised team. Focus breeds excellence, Jain asserts.
He observes that while the specific needs of corporations evolve, their fundamental requirements remain constant: reducing energy costs and achieving ambitious net-zero targets. Given that power generation constitutes a substantial portion of corporate emissions (specifically Scope 2), it presents a significant opportunity for impactful change. CleanMax directly addresses these needs by facilitating the transition from grid power to more economical and environmentally friendly renewable energy alternatives, thereby enabling both cost savings and emissions reduction.
CleanMax offers a comprehensive suite of services, including the installation of rooftop solar systems, particularly beneficial for manufacturing facilities, and the development of open access renewable energy projects, where power is generated remotely and transmitted to the consumer’s location. For instance, companies with manufacturing plants in Mumbai or Pune can source their renewable power from projects in Nagpur.
Jain highlights the widespread potential of solar power throughout India and other emerging markets like the Middle East and Thailand, where the adoption of green energy can yield power cost savings exceeding 40%. Rooftop solar remains a cornerstone of CleanMax’s offerings, with the company operating approximately 1,700 such installations, including over 100 in Dubai and their recently commissioned inaugural project in Saudi Arabia. Jain views rooftop solar as a critical entry point for establishing long-term relationships, especially within the manufacturing sector.
Recognising the complementary nature of solar and wind energy generation – with solar peaking during the day and wind often stronger in cooler evenings and the monsoon season – CleanMax strategically expanded into hybrid projects. Since 2018, the company has heavily invested in wind energy, now installing over 300 MW of wind capacity every year in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, capitalising on the synergy between these renewable sources.
Anticipating the 2030 net-zero targets set by many corporations, CleanMax has proactively innovated by venturing into new areas like carbon credits. Two years ago, CleanMax established a carbon division, recognising a significant emerging market. Jain highlights a flagship initiative involving the distribution of efficient cookstoves in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. These stoves, offered at subsidised prices to encourage consistent use, not only reduce carbon emissions but also contribute to improved health outcomes for women and children. The resulting carbon credits are then sold to corporations, creating a business model that aligns environmental impact with financial sustainability.
Looking to the future, Jain envisions CleanMax’s continued expansion across geographies and business lines, always guided by its core mission. He expresses pride in India’s rapid progress in renewable energy adoption, contrasting it with the slower pace observed in some developed nations. He advocates for more market-driven, pro-choice energy policies that empower both large corporations and individual households to select their energy suppliers. Such freedom, he believes, would significantly accelerate the transition to green energy.
India’s 2070 net-zero target, according to Jain, is achievable if market forces are allowed to drive energy choices. By enabling corporates, households, and the agricultural sector to adopt greener, more cost-effective solutions, a widespread movement towards sustainability can be realised. He particularly emphasises the transformative potential of solar power for daytime agricultural irrigation, which can significantly improve the lives of farming communities.
Jain reminds everyone that the journey towards a sustainable future is paved with billions of individual decisions. The daily choices made at home and at work have a profound cumulative impact on the planet, and he encourages a continued commitment to conscious, sustainable actions.
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