Model Solar Village Scheme

Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (Free Solar Power Scheme), the “Model Solar Village” initiative has been launched to encourage villages to adopt solar energy. Here are the details of the scheme:

The Government of India, along with the Government of Maharashtra, has pledged to energize homes and villages across the state using free solar power. Many citizens have already installed solar systems in their homes, becoming self-reliant in electricity. Taking this vision further, the government has introduced the Model Solar Village scheme to promote solar adoption at the village level.

To implement the Model Solar Village component under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the central government issued a memorandum on August 9, 2024. As per this directive, in Maharashtra, 24 villages will be developed by MahaDiscom (Mahavitaran) and 12 villages by MahaUrja (Maharashtra Energy Development Agency), with one village per district selected for development as a model solar village.

In the Amravati division, out of the five districts, one village from Amravati district will be selected and developed by MahaUrja. Proposals have been invited from villages in Amravati district with a population of over 5,000, informed Mr. Praful Tayade, Divisional Manager of MahaUrja, Amravati.

To manage the implementation of the scheme, a District-Level Committee (DLC) has been constituted under the chairmanship of the District Collector. The committee comprises the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, the District Planning Officer, the Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency, and the Deputy CEO (Panchayat). The Divisional General Manager of MahaUrja will serve as the Member Secretary of the committee.

Selection Criteria for Model Solar Villages (As specified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India):

1. The selected village must be a revenue village with a population of at least 5,000, as per the latest census.
2. Competing villages must install the maximum number of renewable energy and solar devices during the contest period.
   • This includes setting up maximum rooftop solar projects under PM Surya Ghar Yojana and solar pumps or decentralized renewable energy systems under PM-KUSUM.
   • The total installed capacity of renewable energy systems should be up to 10 MW.
3. CSR funds, departmental funds, district-level funds, and other available resources can be utilized for implementation.
4. Lead banks may offer loans to individual beneficiaries for solar installations as per eligibility criteria.
5. The winning village’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared by MahaUrja, and with ₹1 crore in Central Financial Assistance, the following development activities can be carried out:
   • Community solar projects (such as Battery Energy Storage Systems – BESS)
   • Solar installations for NRLM Self-Help Groups
   • Solar electrification of government buildings
   • Other solar-based and renewable energy projects
   • Solar agricultural pumps
   • Solar-based technology for dairy, fisheries, cooperatives, and primary-level institutions

Eligible villages in Amravati district are invited to submit their proposals by June 16, 2025. All villages are encouraged to take the initiative and transform into ideal, energy-efficient communities.

For more information, villages may contact:

• MahaUrja Divisional Office, Amravati
• Phone: 0721-2661610 / 8669911011
• Email: domedaamravati@mahaurja.com
• Or visit the office in person.