Masali village in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district has become India’s first fully solar-powered border village under the PM Suryaghar Yojana.
About Masali Village:
- Location: Banaskantha district, Gujarat, 40 km from the Pakistan border.
- Solarisation Scheme: Solar rooftops installed on 119 houses under the PM Suryaghar Yojana, generating over 225 kilowatts of electricity.
- Significance:
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- First solar-powered border village in India.
- Promotes renewable energy and self-sufficiency in energy needs.
- Part of the Border Development Project to solarize 11 villages in Vav taluka and six in Suigam taluka.
- Boosts energy security in remote, strategic border areas.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, aims to provide free electricity to households by facilitating the installation of rooftop solar panels.
Installation Targets:
- By March 2025: Over 10 lakh installations
- By October 2025: Doubling to 40 lakh installations
- By March 2027: Reaching 1 crore households
The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40% to households, making renewable energy more affordable and accessible.
Model Solar Village:
- An allocation of ₹800 crore has been designated for this component, with ₹1 crore provided to each selected Model Solar Village.
- To qualify as a candidate village, it must be a revenue village with a population of over 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states).
This initiative aims to promote solar energy adoption and empower village communities to achieve energy self-reliance.
