Gandhinagar: Masali village in Banaskantha district has achieved a significant milestone by becoming India’s first border solar village. All 119 homes in the village have successfully installed solar rooftop panels, collectively generating 225.5kW of electricity – exceeding the combined electricity needs of the entire village. This achievement was announced by the Gujarat govt on Wednesday.
Located 40km from the Pakistan border, Masali village, with a population of around 800, has embraced solar energy with full force. District collector Mihir Patel felicitated the village panchayat office-bearers for this feat on Wednesday.
The project, undertaken at a cost of Rs 1.16 crore, was a collaborative effort involving the revenue department, Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), banks and solar companies. The installation of solar rooftop systems was facilitated by subsidies provided under both Union and state govt schemes.
The state govt further announced plans to replicate this success, identifying 17 villages in Vav and Suigam talukas to be developed as fully solar-powered communities.
Magniram Rawal, sarpanch of Masali gram panchayat, expressed immense satisfaction, stating that the adoption of solar energy has permanently resolved electricity issues for the villagers, freeing them from the burden of electricity bills.
