Kangra to Establish a Model Solar Village
The Kangra district administration, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, has launched an initiative to select and develop a Model Solar Village as part of the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Free Power Scheme. This project aims to promote renewable energy adoption across the district and encourage villages to embrace solar power solutions.
43 Villages in the Race for Solar Model Village
Out of 43 eligible villages in Kangra with populations exceeding 2,000, one will be chosen as the ideal solar energy village. The selection process will span six months, during which awareness camps will be organized to motivate households to install grid-connected rooftop solar power plants. The village achieving the highest number of distributed solar installations within this timeframe will be declared the winner.
The winning village will receive ₹1 crore in government funding for green energy expansion and developmental initiatives. The list of eligible villages has been provided to the Kangra, Dehra, and Dalhousie circles of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Council, and officials have been instructed to actively participate in the selection process.
Solar Energy Subsidies for Domestic Consumers
Under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, domestic electricity consumers can install grid-connected rooftop solar power plants with a capacity of up to 3 kilowatts. The scheme offers a 60% subsidy for systems up to 2 kilowatts and a 40% subsidy for an additional 1 kilowatt, significantly reducing installation costs. Residents can register for the scheme through the official online portal to avail these benefits.
Roadmap for the Solar Model Village
The selected village will develop a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to transform into a fully solar-powered model. The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Council Limited will oversee the implementation, while Himurja, the state’s renewable energy agency, will monitor the project’s progress.
Key Objectives and Plan Components
Key components of the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme include:
Central Financial Aid for domestic solar installations.
Solar energy implementation in government buildings.
Incentives for local bodies to promote renewable energy.
Development of the Ideal Solar Energy Village.
Collaborative Efforts to Achieve Targets
At a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, senior officials from various departments reviewed the scheme’s progress and discussed strategies for its effective execution. Representatives from the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Council Limited, including engineers Vikas Thakur, Balesh Sharma, and Vishal Patewal, also participated.
The initiative not only aims to foster sustainable energy practices but also paves the way for Kangra district to become a leader in renewable energy adoption in Himachal Pradesh.