Jhansi teen builds AC for Rs 1,800 that cools room by 5°C
A teenager from Jhansi, India, developed a low-cost, solar-powered cooling device using basic materials like a thermocol box and a DC fan. The 'Desi AC' was designed to provide an affordable alternative to expensive commercial air conditioning for low-income households.
Why it matters
It highlights grassroots innovation and the potential for simple, sustainable engineering solutions to address climate-related challenges in developing regions.
India is a country where scorching summers are often a problem which make staying indoors difficult. Air conditioning is also beyond the reach of many low-income households. For families living in heat-prone rural regions, summers are a challenge to survive along with electricity bills. In 2017, a 16-year-old student from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, attempted to find a solution to this problem.Meet Kalyani Shrivastava, a Class 12 student at Lokamanya Tilak Inter College then, who built a low-cost cooling device. She also named it the 'Desi AC'. The reported cost of making it was just ₹1,800. Designed with affordability in mind, her innovation attracted attention for its simple construction and solar-powered operation.Who is Kalyani SrivastavaKalyani’s story caught people’s attention because she had looked beyond a school project and considered a problem affecting ordinary households.
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