{
  "id": 17038550,
  "title": "Beyond AI infrastructure, India’s tech boom rests on the efficient use of power and water",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/beyond-ai-infrastructure-indias-tech-boom-rests-on-the-efficient-use",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-29T08:41:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "YourStory",
    "slug": "yourstory",
    "url": "https://yourstory.com/2026/10/why-scaling-climatetech-solutions-challenge-ai-infrastructure-data-centre"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's technological advancements are heavily focused on artificial intelligence, data centers, and digital infrastructure, but a critical factor in sustaining growth remains the availability of reliable power and water. During a panel discussion at TechSparks 2026, Shreya Mishra from SolarSquare and Vikas Brahmawar from Boson Whitewater emphasized the importance of scaling solutions that transcend mere technological innovation.\n\nMishra highlighted the transformation of India's residential solar market over the past five years. Initially, adoption was low due to limited understanding and high upfront costs. However, as the economics of distributed power generation and energy security became apparent, adoption rates increased dramatically. Today, SolarSquare has powered over 60,000 homes, with many more installations occurring each week. The company's success lies not just in the economics but also in building consumer trust, addressing concerns about upfront payments, equipment reliability, and maintenance.\n\nRooftop solar can also help reduce the cost of electricity transmission, as generating power locally can offset the expenses incurred over long-distance transmission. SolarSquare serves both individual homes and housing societies, and the company is expanding its offerings to include batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and smart-grid integration to create a comprehensive home energy solution.\n\nOn the other hand, water scarcity poses a unique challenge for India's expanding cities and industries. Vikas Brahmawar discussed the need for wastewater reuse as an alternative to freshwater, particularly as groundwater extraction and industrial applications strain freshwater resources. Despite the availability of treated wastewater, consumer acceptance remains a significant hurdle due to public perception and pricing structures that favor traditional water sources.\n\nBoth SolarSquare and Boson Whitewater face distinct challenges in their respective sectors. While solar energy benefits from growing consumer awareness and improved economics, wastewater reuse requires overcoming psychological barriers and navigating complex economic and policy landscapes. For SolarSquare, the focus is on becoming a full-stack home energy provider, integrating software solutions for monitoring and optimizing energy use. For Boson Whitewater, the challenge lies in commercial viability, public perception, and effective execution in implementing water reuse technologies.",
  "summary": "At TechSparks 2026, founders of SolarSquare and Boson Whitewater unpack why overcoming perception, pricing gaps, and consumer trust matters far more in climatetech than just building the technology.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}