In 2014, Greenpeace and two other NGOs joined hands to build a solar power micro-grid for the village of Dharnai, Bihar, in India. A few months of planning and testing gave back positive results and Dharnai was gifted an autonomous 100-kilowatt system which was inaugurated in July that year.
The ‘green’ grid serves some 450 homes which house 2,400 people. The grid also fuels around 50 businesses, water pumps, street lights, a health care center, two schools, and other buildings. The system comes equipped with a battery that can store electricity for sunless hours.
This project has been applauded globally. Not only does this fast-forward the shift to renewable sources of energy, but it also makes the villages self-sufficient in terms of power. More such projects in India and other countries will give long-term returns to the fight against global warming and pollution on a much larger scale than previously anticipated.
Power outages are very common in India and some rural areas don’t even have access to electricity. If eco-friendly solutions are promoted in rural areas, India Inc. will benefit a great deal from it. Such an idea incorporates health, environment, entertainment, and basic needs altogether.
The video above explains how the life of this solar-powered village has changed since the installation of the system. One single solution has improved lifestyle, helped education, strengthened Dharnai’s economy, increased safety due to street lights, and more. Dharnai’s story is a proud moment for every Indian and a good example of how we can solve major problems using natural resources smartly.
(Featured Image Credit: thebetterindia.com)