Energetica India Magazine - November 2025

tech partnerships, three key trends can change the financing land - scape: • Solar subscription as an offering rather than a product • Building a green credit ecosystem for consumers • Collaborating with banks, NBFCs and carbon markets for scal - able solar deployment Q What emerging technology or business paradigm excites you most for the next wave of solar + tech evolution? Latika Lakhani Kukreja: As the solar market is maturing, it is not only a source of generation, but also a paradigm that can re- define how consumers generate energy, utilise energy and trade energy. The convergence of intelligence, flexibility and finance is building a democratised energy ecosystem. AI and automation are core technologies that can continue rede- fining the industry, while their roles will keep evolving. The role of AI and automation was perceived for installation support and de- cision-making for solar sites. Now, companies have started using it for predictive maintenance, maximising generation output andmi- nimising downtime.However, in the future, utilisingAI to combine weather data, load data, and grid data can help bring efficiency to both solar and grid operations. IoT adoption can intelligently balance power generation, storage, and consumption at both micro solar sites and grid scale. It en- hances energy self-consumption and reduces grid dependency. For example, a smart home energy management system (HEMS) uses IoT to automate load shifting (e.g. running appliances when solar generation peaks). IoT-enabled battery management systems can optimise charging cycles and create alerts before discharging. As the data collection strengthens with the help of technologies such as AI, IoT, there is a huge opportunity for companies to build Energy-as-a-service offerings and build financing models like IoT- linked payment systems where loan instalments are auto-adjusted based on energy consumed or produced. Another impact is the emergence of peer-to-peer trading platforms for energy exchange. This can push community-level adoption, where users can buy/sell excess solar power locally. So, technology is the bridge between the physical energy world and the digital intelligence layer that is transforming static assets into a dynamic, data-rich energy ecosystem, unlocking efficiency, trust, and scalability across the value chain. This tech adoption and transformation in the energy landscape will reshape the future of clean energy adoption at the consumer level. Q How do you view the current state of gender diversity in the clean energy and technology sectors? What steps can organisations take to create more equitable opportunities? Latika Lakhani Kukreja: The clean energy transition is reshap- ing industries, but the gender gap still shadows its progress. While women are increasingly visible in sustainability, policy, and com- munity engagement roles, representation remained uneven in tech- nical leadership and field-based positions. Women make up 32 per - cent of the renewable energy workforce and 35 percent of the tech workforce in 2025. This number has grown significantly from the early 2000s, when women’s representation was only 8 percent that too mostly in administrative roles. Women are now taking c-suite and leadership positions, redefining the opportunities at all roles and levels, including field jobs. Gender diversity is not just a moral imperative; it is a performance mul- tiplier. Women-led organisations show stronger ESG alignment, community connect and stakeholder trust. Equitable opportunities are no longer a buzzword; organisations need to make conscious choices to promote equality and diversity. Here are some steps companies can take: • Build from the pipeline, not just the boardroom: Encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM, energy, and sustainabil- ity through mentorships, scholarships and internships. The right mentors create the right leaders and the right workforce. • Flexible and equitable work structures: Adopt hybrid roles, field safetymeasures, and family-friendly policies that support women’s participation in both project and technical domains. • Create networks and allyship: Build mentorship circles and lead - ership forums that amplify women’s voices and enable cross-sector learning. Male allies should be sensitised and educated to handle projects as co-partners irrespective of gender. • Measure, report, and be accountable: Identify the impact of gen- der diversity in different functions andwork profiles.Measuring the impact, reporting the best practices, and challenges can help organ- isations improve the work environment. Further, transparent data on pay equity, promotions, and hiring fosters accountability and a healthy work environment. The clean energy transition is not just about decarbonising econo- mies – it is about building newbusinessmodels, exploring newtech- nologies, diversifying leadership and democratising opportunities. The more inclusive we make this transition, the more sustainable and innovative our outcomes will be. WOMAN INFLUENCER 62 energetica INDIA- November_2025