Google- Manyachiwadi in Satara district becomes Maharashtra’s first fully solarized village, earning the title of ‘first solar village’ in the state.
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a scheme to solarize more villages, involving MSEDCL in the effort.
- MSEDCL identified Shivtirth Nagar in Kothrud and Sector 25 in Nigdi as the next solar villages under the scheme.
- The PM Surya Ghar scheme includes a sub-component for setting up model solar villages, with Manyachiwadi’s success as a reference.
- MNRE guidelines aim to establish a model solar village in every Indian district, with Maharashtra set to generate 12,000 MW of solar energy in the next 18 months.
- Over 70 villages across Maharashtra will be solarized, with each model village receiving around Rs 1 crore for solar infrastructure.
- Solar villages will feature 24×7 solar-powered infrastructure, solar-based home lighting, water systems, pumps for agriculture, and solar street lights.
- The MNRE is working to promote solar cities and villages in India, with examples like Modhera in Gujarat and Konark in Odisha, though some projects face challenges post-installation.
- Issues such as lack of funding and unclear O&M responsibilities have led to the failure of some solar projects, like Barapitha in Odisha and Dharnai in Bihar, highlighting the need for sustainable planning.
Source:SaurEnergy