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Himachal Pradesh has inaugurated a 500-kilowatt ground-mounted solar power project in Mamlig Gram Panchayat of Solan district under the Green Panchayat scheme. Built at a cost of INR 2 crore, the project is expected to generate around eight lakh units of clean electricity annually. A key feature is its revenue-sharing model, under which earnings will be distributed among the gram panchayat, welfare initiatives, the state government, HIM URJA, and project maintenance. The initiative is aimed at promoting clean energy, strengthening rural finances, and supporting sustainable development across the state.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has virtually inaugurated a 500-kilowatt ground-mounted solar power project in Gram Panchayat Mamlig in Solan district under the state's Green Panchayat scheme.
Developed at a cost of INR 2 crore, the project was taken up in late 2024 and was connected to the electricity grid earlier this year after the completion of construction, according to an official statement.
The chief minister said the plant is currently generating around 3,000 units of clean electricity every day and is expected to produce nearly eight lakh units annually, contributing to the state's renewable energy capacity and reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
Under the power purchase agreement, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) will procure electricity generated by the project at INR 3.50 per unit. The arrangement is expected to provide the state with a steady supply of clean energy while creating a long-term revenue stream.
A key feature of the project is its community-based revenue-sharing model. Sukhu said that 25 per cent of the revenue generated will be allocated for development works in the gram panchayat, while another 25 per cent will be used for the welfare of orphans and widows. Twenty per cent of the revenue will go to the state government, another 20 per cent will be allocated to HIM URJA, and the remaining 10 per cent will be utilised for the operation and maintenance of the solar plant.
According to the state government, the gram panchayat is expected to earn around INR 14 lakh annually from the project, creating an additional source of income that can be used for local development activities.
The chief minister said the solar power plant, which has an estimated operational lifespan of 25 years, demonstrates how renewable energy projects can contribute to clean energy generation while also supporting environmental protection, rural development, and social welfare. He further said that the initiative would help village panchayats become more financially self-reliant while supporting the state's broader sustainable development goals.
Himachal Pradesh has been expanding its focus on renewable energy through solar and hydropower projects as part of its strategy to increase clean energy generation and improve energy security. The Green Panchayat initiative is one of the state's efforts to encourage local bodies to participate in renewable energy development while creating additional income opportunities for rural communities.
Source PTI
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