Manik M Jolly
Recognized as ‘50 Most Influential Global Solar Leaders ’ for his continued work in the field of energy access, Micro grids and clean drinking water access in rural areas in 2018, Manik M Jolly is the Founder and CEO of G.R.I.D. Pvt Ltd, India.
He is also the National Champion under Mission Innovation India, an initiative of government of India under Department of Science and Tech. He was awarded 'Platinum Innovative Startup 2019' at prestigious India Smart Grid Forum. He is also part of 3 startups from India to take part in exclusive India-Israel Mass Challenge Incubator in Jerusalem in 2019.
As a subject matter expert on Solar Innovation, and Energy Access Initiatives for Sustainable Energy Policies (ISEP) at Johns Hopkins University, in USA, Manik is actively engaged in working on policy, finance and project development for global energy access plans.
He was awarded ‘Delhi Solar Energy Leadership Award’ in 2017 for creating sustainable models and viable solutions in affordable parameters for holistic growth of rural ecosystem. He was conferred with prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship in the United States in 2016, REX fellowship in 2015 and was recognized as WWF (UK) Global Green Game Changer in 2013. He was regional co-author for ‘Global Status report on Renewable 2015 – REN 21, Paris’ and has been associated with United Nations, International Finance Corporation, World Bank, Ministries of Power and Renewable Energy in India, Asian Development Bank, Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), ISEA, CII etc. as a Consultant, Speaker and Trainer. During his stint with SunEdison, he was instrumental in starting and executing ‘Eradication of Darkness’ campaign with Ministry of Power India and International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Before starting G.R.I.D., he has worked with Indian Army, SunEdison, World Bank and Deloitte. His projects includes AC & DC micro-grids for domestic and commercial energy access in rural areas, and most recently an off-grid solar micro-grid based Reverse Osmosis (RO) – UV filtration system that can provide clean drinking water to rural/semi urban communities.
A twice decorated military veteran from the Indian Army, he is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Pune and MDI, Gurgaon, India.