MNRE scheme to electrify villages by solar energy

Each household to get a 10-200W peak solar PV system to power 3-5 LED lights, 1-2 fans, and other small appliances

The Odisha government has set in motion the task to identify un-electrified villages to be powered through solar power.

The work is being taken up as per a pilot scheme to be launched by the Union ministry of new & renewable energy (MNFRE). Under this scheme, solar PV (photo voltaic) based home systems would be provided to every household in two villages/hamlets in every Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha constituency.

Each household will be provided with a 10-200 W peak solar PV system enough to provide power to 3-5 LED lights, 1-2 fans, provision of mobile charging and running other small appliances at the discretion of the household. Each system is estimated to cost Rs 50,000. While MNRE will bear 60 per cent of the cost, state governments are being persuaded to provide 30 per cent subsidy. The balance 10 per cent will be contributed by the beneficiary.

In a letter to all district collectors, Surendra Kumar, secretary (science & technology), Odisha said, “You are requested to identify a least 25 un-electrified or power starved villages/hamlets in your district where there is an urgent need to provide power through solar system. Each vilage/hamlet may have 100 or more households. In case such households are not available, clusters of villages/hamlets with 100 or more households can also be selected.”

Though Odisha has a huge potential for renewable energy sources, especially solar power, it has remained largely un-utilized.

Renewable energy potential in Odisha has been assessed at 11820 Mw, with solar energy having the highest potential at 10000 Mw among all green energy sources.