Kangra district to establish Model Solar Village under Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Scheme

Dharamshala, October 29, 2024:  In a landmark decision to advance renewable energy in Kangra district, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa announced the establishment of a model solar village as part of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme. During the inaugural meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on Saturday, Bairwa highlighted that the village selected will serve as a prototype for sustainable energy solutions, embodying the district's commitment to green energy.
 
The selection process for this model solar village will focus on villages with a population of over 2,000 and a strong engagement with non-conventional energy practices. The government will allocate ₹1 crore to the chosen village to support green energy initiatives. Lists of eligible villages have already been circulated across the Kangra, Dehra, and Dalhousie circles of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, with district officials directed to expedite the final selection.
 
Once chosen, a dedicated 'Model Solar Village Implementation Agency' will develop a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to transform the village into a solar-powered community. Bairwa further emphasized that the district will ensure effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme to bring sustainable energy solutions to Kangra.
 
As part of this scheme, the government offers significant subsidies for grid-connected rooftop solar power systems. Households installing up to 3 kW systems can benefit from a 60% subsidy for the first 2 kW (amounting to ₹33,000 per kW) and a 40% subsidy for an additional 1 kW (₹19,800). Residents can apply through the PM Surya Ghar online portal to participate in the scheme.
 
Project Officer and DLCC Member Secretary Ramesh Thakur elaborated on the scheme's broader goals, which include financial assistance for residential consumers, solar energy initiatives for government buildings, incentives for local bodies, and the development of 'Adarsh Urja Grams' (Ideal Energy Villages). The national target aims for one crore grid-connected rooftop solar installations by March 31, 2027, backed by a substantial ₹75,021 crore budget.
 
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner Vinay Kumar, Dehra Circle Senior Engineer Kulbir Kumar, Jawali Mandal Executive Engineer Vishal Kumar, District Council Chairman Ramesh Barard, and representatives from various departments, reflecting the collaborative effort towards achieving a greener, energy-efficient Kangra.