Vortex Engineering Rolls Out Solar ATMs

Vortex Engineering recently rolled out what is said to be India’s first Solar ATMs (automated teller machines). This rollout follows the order from State Bank of India for a deployment of 545 ATMs across semi-urban and rural India. Of these 545 ATMs, Vortex rolled out about 300 solar-powered ATMs.

Developed in collaboration with IIT Madras, Vortex’s innovative Solar-powered Gramateller Duo are low power ATMs designed for semi-urban and rural areas. A conventional ATM consumes about 1kW of power and requires an air-conditioned environment – another 1.5kW – for functioning. This amounts to about 1.8KW of power every month.

Vortex’s Solar-powered Gramateller Duo ATMs consume less than 100W and do not require air conditioning, thus consuming less than 72W per month—a savings of about 1.7kW per month when compared to a conventional ATM installation. In addition, Vortex’s products reduce CO2 emissions by at least 18,500kg per year.

In a statement, V. Vijay Babu, CEO, Vortex Engineering, said, “Vortex was founded with the focus of improving the quality of rural life by building technology for practical use. The launch of these solar-powered ATMs is a moment of great pride and gratification for the Vortex team. With an ATM penetration of about 0.04 per 1,000 people in India, there is a huge need for Rural ATMs. With this solar innovation becoming a viable option, Vortex looks forward to revolutionising the Rural ATM market.”

Vortex’s Solar-powered Gramateller Duo ATM is the latest product in the company’s well-known Gramateller Rural ATM series. With built-in Biometric capabilities, Gramateller ATMs have been used by the Government to disburse wages under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) program.

Vortex Engineering