Bengaluru Goes Off-Grid: Meet the Residents Leading a Solar Revolution

by Kajal Goyal | Mar 8, 2025 | News | 0 comments

Bengaluru, often hailed as India’s tech capital, is proving that it’s more than just a startup hub—it’s also a city that’s leading the way in off-grid, sustainable living. While high-rises and IT parks define its skyline, a growing number of residents are choosing to disconnect from the grid, embracing solar power, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly architecture to build self-sufficient homes.

From solar-powered mud houses to zero-waste lifestyles, here are three inspiring stories of Bengaluru couples redefining urban living.

Table of Contents

1. Reva and Ranjan Malik: Living with the Sun

For Reva and Ranjan Malik, life revolves around the sun’s energy. Their solar-powered home is not just a structure—it’s a lifestyle statement. Built using stabilized mud and recycled materials, their house is designed to function without artificial lighting or fans.

Each day starts with Reva observing the sunlight streaming through their terracotta-tiled living room, deciding what will cook in their solar cooker. The couple charges their phones and laptops under the sun, proving that solar energy is enough to meet daily needs.

2. Chockalingam Muthiah and Family: 12 Years of Off-Grid Living

While many are just starting their sustainability journey, Chockalingam Muthiah and his family have been living off-grid for over a decade. Their 3,500 sq ft home, surrounded by a kitchen garden and millet farm, runs entirely on solar energy—without ever taking an electricity connection.

Back in 2010, when solar was still a niche concept, Muthiah installed a 2 kW solar system, powering everything from fans and refrigerators to washing machines. It wasn’t easy—“There were no experts to help us set up the system,” he recalls—but today, they’re glad they made the effort.

Their house is also a zero-waste model, with a rainwater harvesting system storing 20,000 litres. Greywater is recycled to irrigate their farm, which produces 75% of their vegetables and fruits. “Even small lifestyle changes can help the planet,” says Muthiah, whose community shares a sewage treatment plant and LED-lit streets.

3. Vani and Balaji: A Mud House with No Electricity

Vani and Balaji have taken sustainability a step further—not only do they live in a mud house, but they also have zero dependence on the grid. Their traditional yet modern home stays naturally cool in summer, thanks to its angled walls, sunroofs, and large windows—eliminating the need for fans or air conditioners.

Instead of conventional electricity, they rely on solar panels, even earning extra income by selling surplus power back to the grid. Water conservation is equally important—rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge ensure they never run out of water, even in Bengaluru’s driest months.

Bengaluru: Not Just a Startup City, But a Sustainability Leader

These stories prove that Bengaluru isn’t just a city of tech innovations—it’s also a city that’s leading the way in sustainable living. While off-grid homes may seem like a niche concept, these pioneers are showing that solar energy, eco-friendly materials, and mindful consumption can create a comfortable, self-sufficient life—even in a fast-paced urban environment.

Bengaluru is no longer just India’s tech capital—it’s fast becoming a model for sustainable urban living.

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