Gujarat’s unique village has become the country’s first solar village, why is Modhera special for PM Modi?
Modhera of Gujarat is famous all over the world for the Sun Temple. King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty built the Sun Temple here in 1026-27. Now another big achievement has been added to its account. Now Modhera has become the first such village in the country, which will run entirely on solar energy. This evening Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced this. Along with this, PM Modi also laid the foundation of projects worth Rs 3900 crore in the village.
25 kms from Mehsana
Modhera village is situated at a distance of 25 kms from Mehsana village of Gujarat. At the same time, its distance from the capital Gandhinagar is about 100 km. Nestled on the banks of river Pushpavati, the geographical area of this village is about 2,436 hectares. It became the first village in the country to run on solar power. A ground-mounted solar power plant has been built in the village. In addition, more than 1300 rooftop solar systems of 1 kW have been installed on people’s roofs. These will meet the power requirement of these houses. All these solar systems are connected to the battery energy storage system. The project has been named, ‘Solarization of Modhera Sun Temple and Town’.
Separate arrangements for day and night
During day time the energy requirement of the village will be met with the help of solar panels. In the evening, energy will be supplied from the battery energy storage system. This is India’s first grid connected MW hour scale battery energy storage system to supply electricity to households. Both the state and central government have contributed in the solar development project for this village. Both the state and central governments together have invested more than 80 crores. The entire project has been developed in two phases. The state government had allotted 12 hectares of land for this.
Huge reduction in electricity bill
The Gujarat government had said that it would develop a solar project in Modhera. He wants to make this village the first village in India to develop renewable energy. Through this, he wants to show how people can be empowered at the grassroots level by using renewable energy. After this move, people of Modhera village are saving 60 to 100 percent on their electricity bills. Jaideep Bhai Patel of the village told that earlier his electricity bill used to come up to Rs 2000. Now he is paying only Rs 300 bill.
That’s why it is special for PM
This project is also very special for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi’s resolve is that by 2030, 50 percent of India’s energy needs should be met through renewable energy. This project is a big step towards fulfilling this resolve of the Prime Minister. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also said this. He said that I am happy that Gujarat has once again made a significant achievement towards fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of generating clean and green energy.
What is the story of Sun Temple
The Sun Temple belongs to the Chalukya dynasty. This temple was built by King Bhima I of Chalukya dynasty in 1026-27. This temple has been built on the hill in such a way that the rays of the sun fall on the temple from rising to setting. Beautiful carvings have been done on the walls of the temple and mythology is depicted through it. The temple has three parts, the Surya Kund, the Sabha Mandap and the Guddha Mandap. Stairs have been made to go to the pool. The name of the kund is Ramkund. This temple is under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India and worshiping is prohibited here.
Arrangement to entice tourists too
It is not that only the local village will benefit from solar energy, but there is also a plan to make Modhera a tourism place. For this, solar powered 3-D projection will be done in Modhera Sun Temple. With this, the tourists coming here will get information about the history of Modhera. Tourists coming here will be able to enjoy it everyday from 6 pm to 10 pm.
