Begin a journey into India One, where a dream of clean energy turned into a living reality. Discover why this project was needed, how it was born, and how a remarkable solar power plant was brought to life. See how India One works, what makes it truly unique, and how it is shaping a greener future. Explore its impact on nature, its support for the local community, and how it quietly powers the Brahma Kumaris campus. Along the way, uncover how it has become a hub for learning, research, and innovation — and step into a future guided by sustainable energy.
Across the world, people are searching for ways to create a future that is cleaner, quieter, and more respectful towards nature. The India One Solar Thermal Power Plant, located in Abu Road (Rajasthan), embodies this very message. It stands as one of the most innovative solar thermal installations; and through its design, purpose, and functioning, the India One solar plant reflects a beautiful harmony: science serving society, and energy generated with the consciousness of care.
At Brahma Kumaris, we believe that inner purity and outer sustainability go hand in hand. When our thoughts are clean and peaceful, our actions naturally become compassionate and responsible. It was from this vision that the India-One Solar Thermal Power Plant was born.
So let us together explore why India One was needed, how it was created, what makes it unique, and how it significantly supports the Brahma Kumaris campuses in the day-to-day operations.
Why India One Was Needed - The Journey
The idea behind India One developed gradually over nearly 20 years.
In the 1990s, our campuses in Abu were already receiving large numbers of regular students of Brahma Kumaris and visitors, creating a constant demand for reliable electricity to light large halls, pump and purify water, cook for thousands, heat water, operate educational facilities, and support daily spiritual activities. Depending solely on conventional sources of energy was not only expensive and unstable, but also misaligned with our values of purity, simplicity, and non-violence. It was clear that the community needed an energy system that was non-polluting, self-reliant, and cost-effective.
Following this need, we began experimenting with practical solar solutions. Together with German engineer Wolfgang Scheffler, efficient parabolic solar cookers and photovoltaic systems were developed. This successful collaboration led to the building of several large solar kitchens which enabled the cooking of thousands of meals per day using solar-generated steam. These early achievements created confidence that solar energy could be used for much more than cooking.
In the mid 2000s, the team then expanded its focus to solar thermal power generation. They started experimenting with concentrators, cast-iron receivers, and simple methods of storing heat so that solar energy could be used even after sunset. And in 2009, a bold idea emerged: Could we create a solar plant that runs even at night?
This long-term thinking ultimately led to the birth of a pioneering project: India One.
The Birth of India-One
After years of testing, the team developed a new design that could store heat directly. This design was both practical and cost-effective as the materials could be found locally. Between 2010 and 2012, this concept was developed and it became the foundation of the India One Solar Thermal Power Plant.
In Progress
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The construction of India-One took place from 2013 to 2017 in partnership with the World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST), a sister organization of the Brahma Kumaris. 770 dishes were fabricated, thousands of components were produced in local workshops, and over 250 workers were trained for this project. Everything—from design to testing—was done in-house. Finally, the plant was commissioned in 2017, marking the successful completion of a long journey of research, development, and capacity building.
After Completion
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Today, India One is a pioneering 1 megawatt electrical solar thermal power plant, developed as a practical model of clean and reliable institutional energy. Using Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, the plant is built with 770 parabolic dishes, each measuring 60 square meters. These parabolic dishes, each consisting of 760 mirrors, track the sun throughout the day through a dual-axis system. These reflectors then concentrate sunlight and stores heat in a large thermal energy battery. This allows the plant to supply power round the clock — even after sunset.
Around the plant, more than 3,000 trees have been planted and organic farming activities have been introduced, so that the landscape around India One reflects the same principle as its technology: giving back more to nature than we take.
Together with on-campus photovoltaic systems, India One generates about 3 million electrical units per year, significantly reducing reliance on external energy sources. Its contribution to sustainability is substantial, cutting roughly 2,550 tons of CO₂ emissions every year and saving around USD 150,000 annually in energy costs.
This project is partly supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Government of Germany through GIZ’s ComSolar initiative. India-One continues to be one of the world’s leading examples of solar thermal power with long-duration storage.
How the Technology Works
India-One works on a simple yet powerful idea:
Sunlight → Heat → Stored Heat → Electricity → Daily Use
- Sunlight → Heat (Solar Concentration) Each parabolic dish tracks the sun and directs sunlight onto a static-focus cast-iron receiver.
- Heat → Stored Heat (Natural Heat Battery) Heat is collected safely and stored inside the solid iron core — acting like a natural heat battery.
- Stored Heat → Steam → Electricity Stored heat generates superheated steam (up to 450°C at 42 bar) without costly oils or molten salts.
- Electricity + Direct Heat → Daily Use Heat is also available directly for cooking, hot water, laundry, and other campus needs.
This design is simple, robust, and easy to maintain — a true innovation, built with indigenous materials and local skills.
What Makes India One Unique
India One has several breakthrough innovations that place it among the most advanced solar thermal plants in the world. Each of the following features represents a unique achievement in solar engineering.
- Static-focus paraboloid design – First in the world; keeps the focus fixed so heat can be stored directly at the focal point without moving parts
- Indigenous cast-iron cavity receivers – Designed and developed in India; it can withstand high temperatures and also act as heat storage units
- Direct superheated steam generation from point-focus reflectors– Produces steam at 450°C directly from sunlight
- Thermal storage inside the receiver – First in the world; made of nearly 3 tons of cast iron – enabling 24-hour operation.
- 100% automatic dual-axis tracking using optical alignment.
- Elimination of heat-transfer fluids like molten salts — reducing cost and maintenance.
- Fully indigenous designed receivers, reflectors, and components, reducing cost and supporting local manufacturing
- Reliable and easy to maintain using readily available Indian spares
- Replicable at larger capacities, offering a scalable clean energy model
Special features like remote monitoring and instrumentation for web enabled performance evaluation in real time for easy maintenance
How India One Helps the Local Community
Beyond technology, India One has directly uplifted the local region in many ways:
Employment and Skill Development
Over 250 local workers were employed during fabrication and installation. They were trained in skills such as High-quality welding, Solar dish fabrication, Mechanical assembly, Electrical installation, Safety and engineering practices. Due to this, a new generation of skilled technicians emerged and local workshops upgraded their equipment. Many of these skills continue to be used for ongoing maintenance of the plant.
Spiritual Upliftment And Wellbeing
Alongside technical training, we at Brahma Kumaris regularly conduct programmes for the local communities, such as:
- Sessions on health, de-addiction, and simple lifestyle practices
- Parenting and youth programmes to build confidence and clarity
- Women empowerment sessions promoting self-respect and leadership
Meditation classes that help people manage stress and maintain emotional balance
How India-One Solar Plant Supports Daily Campus Life
India-One Solar Plant functions as a backbone for the entire campus. It provides clean, dependable energy that supports daily activities, large events, and essential services.
Reliable Power for Daily Operations
The plant supplies electricity to residential areas, offices, classrooms, meditation halls, auditoriums, and technical facilities such as IT networks, multimedia studios, and recording centres. This ensures smooth functioning across the campus.
Clean Heat for Large-Scale Cooking
India-One generates solar heat and steam used for bulk cooking. This supports daily meals, retreat groups, and large gatherings while significantly reducing LPG and firewood consumption.
Hot Water and Thermal Services
Stored solar heat provides hot water for bathing, laundry, cleaning, and basic winter heating. These essential services run more efficiently and sustainably.
Support During Major Events
During large programmes with tens of thousands of participants, the plant helps power lighting, sound systems, multimedia broadcasts, guest accommodation areas, transport hubs, and large community kitchens.
Energy for Quiet and Functional Spaces
Meditation rooms, silence areas, peace parks, libraries, and other calm spaces operate smoothly with clean, noiseless power, ensuring a stable environment for visitors and residents.
Research And Training
India-One is also a centre of learning and innovation.
Collaborative Research
- In 2014 World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST) was awarded with an assignment for Development of Awareness Cum Training Centre on Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) Technologies under United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) assisted Concentrated Solar Heat Project of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.
- WRST collaborates with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on next-generation receivers for supercritical CO₂ systems.
- The plant has produced numerous publications in the field of solar thermal engineering.
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CST Awareness & Training Center (UNDP–GEF Project)
Under an assignment from MNRE and UNDP-GEF:
- Awareness seminars are held for industries and institutions. Yearly, around 1 million people visit the Shantivan campus and the plant
- Training programmes were offered for manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
- More than 350 professionals benefited through hands-on learning with real systems.
Moving Towards a Sustainable Tomorrow…
India One Solar Thermal Power Plant is more than a technological achievement — it is a living example of how environmental responsibility and spiritual values can work together to create something truly transformative. It stands on our principles that guide sustainable living:
Purity — choosing energy that leaves no pollution
Simplicity — using natural resources wisely
Responsibility — caring for nature as a sacred trust
Cooperation — working in unity with scientists, engineers, and volunteers
Peace — creating solutions that cause no harm
By harnessing sunlight with care and intelligence, the plant supports thousands of lives every day while gently reducing the burden on the planet. In a world facing the challenges of climate change, India One offers a quiet but powerful reminder:
True transformation begins within. When the mind is peaceful, choices become wiser; when the heart carries love and respect for the earth, sustainable actions emerge naturally.
India One reflects this inner clarity and purpose — showing how spirituality can guide science, and how a calm, elevated vision can inspire practical solutions that bring real change to the world.
Learn More About India One Discover the vision, technology, and journey behind the India One Solar Thermal Power Plant and how it operates as a living model of sustainable energy. Explore India One
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