“We can change the future / We can change tomorrow / We can change the here and now…” are some of the lyrics from the song, Hydrolyzed, by Solar Punch — an environmentally conscious act powered exclusively by the sun.

Through their music, Solar Punch are spreading positive ideas about renewable energy, climate action and green issues. They are using relatively simple solar technology to charge up their small but powerful, portable amps, which can be packed away into a couple of suitcases. This gives them the freedom to take their message off the beaten track and reach thousands of people.

The band has just returned from a tour of India, with the ‘India Youth Climate Network’. They travelled from small villages in rural and remote areas, to cities, schools and campuses, performing their music and carrying out solar demonstrations.

“From our perspective, the project was very well received everywhere we went,” declared guitarist James Dean Conklin. “The oddity of seeing these goofy white kids from America with their little solar panels playing enviro-rock, seemed to make a lot of people happy. We made an effort to learn a few Bollywood songs and I tried my best to memorise lyrics in Hindi. The crowds went wild when we played songs in their language.”

Solar Punch’s next major goal is a project in Pakistan for 2010. “It’s in the earliest stages of planning right now but the momentum is huge,” said James. “We aim to use a modified message that will embrace aspects of reconciliation between Indians and Pakistanis, as well as the solar, environmental mission we’ve already developed. We are also hoping to alleviate some of the electricity access issues in some outlying areas, by bringing home-made solar ovens and other solar innovations to share.”

Contact: www​.solarpunch​.org

From left to right: Andrew Mattina, Alan Bigelow, James Dean Conklin and Frank Marino, with members of the India Climate Road Tour
Photo: courtesy of Mohan Das