The rural landscape of Ludhiana district is shining a little brighter, thanks to a pioneering green energy initiative. Ghudani Kalan village has been declared the winner of the district-level Model Solar Village competition, a seven-month-long contest designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in Punjab's countryside.
A Competitive Push for Green Power
The competition, which ran from March to September, saw enthusiastic participation from 11 villages across Ludhiana. The core objective was for communities to install maximum solar power capacity and demonstrate effective collective engagement. Villages were judged on multiple criteria, including total installed solar capacity, electricity fed into the grid, the success of awareness campaigns, and the overall level of public involvement.
Ghudani Kalan emerged as the clear champion by successfully injecting approximately 216 kilowatts (kW) of solar power into the state electricity grid. The runner-up, Manuke village, put up a strong fight with a generation of nearly 208 kW, highlighting the close and healthy rivalry the contest fostered.
Aligning with National Goals and Local Benefits
This local competition is a direct implementation of the central government's ambitious PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which promotes rooftop solar installations through subsidies and financial aid. Gurinder Singh, District Manager of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), highlighted the dual impact of the initiative. He stated that the competition successfully raised awareness about the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy, encouraging villagers to view it as a practical solution to rising electricity bills, not just an environmental cause.
The tangible results were immediate. During the competition period, 34 domestic and commercial establishments in the participating villages installed solar panels, marking a significant step towards decentralized, clean power generation.
Prize Money to Fuel Further Development
As the district winner, Ghudani Kalan is set to receive incentives and development support worth around Rs 1 crore from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The village Sarpanch outlined plans for the prize, which include installing solar street lights and solar-powered CCTV cameras, along with rejuvenating village ponds. These projects are expected to significantly enhance the village's security, sanitation, and overall quality of life.
Amarjit Singh Bains, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), formally handed over the winner's letter to the Sarpanch, commending all villages for their participation. Officials noted that the Model Solar Village competition has created a lasting momentum, with several participating villages expressing interest in expanding their solar capacity even after the contest concluded, setting a powerful example of community-led sustainable development.
