Kumbalangi leads model solar village race as eight Ernakulam panchayats step up efforts

Kochi: Kumbalangi panchayat has emerged as frontrunner in Ernakulam’s race to become a model solar village, with 216 households installing rooftop solar systems and generating an additional 742kW capacity under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.District administration has asked the eight participating panchayats to accelerate implementation activities over the next two months to improve their chances in the competition. District collector G Priyanka issued the directive during an online meeting with panchayat presidents and secretaries on Wednesday.The panchayat selected as model solar village will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 crore from Union govt to expand solar energy initiatives.Apart from Kumbalangi, other panchayats competing from Ernakulam are Paipra, Mulanthuruthy, Chittattukara, Kuzhuppilly, Chottanikkara, Maneed and Okkal. Six-month competition period began in March.Collector instructed local bodies to make maximum use of their own funds and plan funds for achieving project goals. She also suggested organising loan melas in coordination with lead banks to ensure beneficiaries get solar loans at low interest rates quickly.

Awareness campaigns through ward members should also be strengthened, she said.Ernakulam district had earlier secured eighth position nationally in implementation of solar scheme. District was honoured by Union minister for new and renewable energy Prahlad Joshi in New Delhi on June 4 for effective implementation of the project with participation from 42,843 rooftop solar consumers.