Irumbai set to be Tamil Nadu’s 1st solar village

The proposal, mooted in 2016 by the energy department, was included in that financial year’s policy note.

Elaborating on the status of the project, Balakrishnan, an official from Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), which is executing this project along with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), told DT Next, “We have just completed installing energy efficient fans in all the homes. Tenders will soon be floated for the construction of a power plant.” The idea is to ensure that the village’s energy needs, such as powering the street lights and houses of the village, are met completely using solar power, he said. 

Clean energy experts say unlike urban places, there is a huge potential to tap into solar power, a clean and renewable energy, in rural areas as there are abundant open spaces to setup the panels. The energy thus harvested can be used for income generation and livelihood creation, they added. 

Pointing out a special feature, a source involved in the project said the village gets a stake in the equity, where the revenue generated can be used to better the infrastructure of the local community. “The women and youth from the village could be roped in to man the project, helping create jobs for the local population. The solar energy system will produce more energy than the village consumes, which will make it an energy positive village. Once the pilot is successfully completed, it can be replicated in other places in the state,” said the source.