From Lanterns to Rs 25 Crores: How ‘Solar Man’ Mustafa Ali Built KREPL Solar from Scratch

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-12-01 11:04:30 |

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KS News Desk

Srinagar, Dec 1: In the picturesque valleys of Kashmir, where harsh winters often bring silence and power outages, one entrepreneur has spent over a decade turning the lights on. Mustafa Ali, affectionately known across the Union Territory as the “Solar Man of Kashmir,” has scripted a remarkable business saga, transforming a humble loan of ₹50,000 into a ₹25 Crore renewable energy empire.

Today, Mustafa Ali serves as the CEO and MD of Kashmir Renewable Energy Private Limited (KREPL Solar), an ISO-certified EPC and system integrator. His journey, however, is not just a financial success story; it is a testament to resilience, vision, and the transformative power of clean energy.

A Humble Beginning: The Lantern Era

The story began in 2012, a time when renewable energy was a novel concept to many in the region. Armed with nothing but a borrowed sum of ₹50,000 and a vision to empower families, Mustafa started by selling solar lanterns in remote villages.

“I began with zero, but I carried a vision — to light homes, empower families, and prove that renewable energy is not just technology, but transformation,” Mustafa recalls. For the villagers, the lanterns were a utility; for Mustafa, they were the sparks of a future revolution.

KREPL Solar: Powering J&K’s Future

From those early days of door-to-door sales, KREPL Solar has grown into a trailblazer in Jammu & Kashmir’s energy sector. Headquartered in Srinagar, the company now boasts a turnover of ₹25 Crores and a dedicated team of over 30 engineers and project managers who operate in some of the most challenging terrains in India.

The company’s portfolio is extensive, covering rooftop grid-tied systems, solar street lighting, and large-scale grid-connected plants. KREPL has been instrumental in the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, achieving over 10 MW of rooftop solar installations benefitting 2,000+ households.

Key milestones include:

70 MW Solarization: Powering government infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and administrative complexes.

Smart City Projects: vital contributions to both Jammu and Srinagar Smart City initiatives.

Top Achiever: Recognized as the No. 1 achiever in the MNRE/JAKEDA 20 MW rooftop programme.

KREPL counts industry giants and state bodies like J&K Bank, Bharat Petroleum, and J&K Police among its clientele, serving as a channel partner for Tata Power Solar and Microtek Solar.

National Recognition and Awards

Mustafa Ali’s disciplined leadership has not gone unnoticed. He has recently been the recipient of prestigious national accolades, including:

MSME Ratna Award 2025: For leadership and discipline in renewable energy.

Best MSME in Energy Sector 2024: Honoring KREPL as a model enterprise.

Pride of Bharat Award 2024: For community empowerment through clean energy.

“These awards are not mine alone,” Mustafa states. “They belong to my family and my team, who made the impossible possible.”

The Pillars of Strength: Family and Team

Mustafa attributes his grounding values to his family. His father, a man of honesty and discipline, provided the moral compass and the initial confidence to start the business. His mother’s prayers and his wife’s unwavering support provided the stability needed to navigate the volatile world of entrepreneurship.

He also credits his workforce—whom he calls his “second family”—for adopting a consumer-first approach that has made KREPL a trusted household name.

Vision 2030: Mission ₹100 Crore

Looking ahead, the ‘Solar Man’ shows no signs of slowing down. Mustafa Ali has set an ambitious target to grow KREPL Solar into a ₹100 Crore enterprise by 2030.

Under the banner of “Ghar Ghar Solar, Ghar Ghar Bijli,” the roadmap includes expanding into Northern India, scaling agri-solar projects under PM-KUSUM, and integrating AI-driven hybrid solutions.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that consistency and integrity go a long way,” says Mustafa. From selling lanterns in forgotten villages to powering smart cities, Mustafa Ali’s journey proves that with enough light, one can indeed dispel the darkness.