Once off the grid, many villages in Jharkhand reap benefits of solar power

Three months ago, its residents hiked several hundred metres downhill to fetch water from a stream, often making multiple trips a day. Among them was 60-year-old Anghu Birjia, who lost his eyesight a decade ago and now uses a cane to get around.

“Now, the water comes to us,” says his 22-year-old neighbour, Sunil Birjia, as Anghu reaches for the tap to wash clothes.

“We just press a button, and water fills the tanks,” says Sunil, pointing to two black tanks elevated on metal ramps. “Solar-powered motors draw water from a reservoir near the stream and pump it into the tanks, which then supply each house through pipes and taps.”

The solar power initiative is part of a district-wide effort benefiting several remote villages, primarily home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). According to Gumla District Magistrate Karn Satyarthi, solar grids now generate 600 kilowatts peak (kWp) of power in over 40 villages.

“This project harnesses the abundant sunlight to bring reliable electricity to these previously off-grid communities, significantly transforming their quality of life,” says Satyarthi.

Satyarthi has been recognised for the initiative in the Excellence in Governance Awards 2024, organised by The Indian Express, under the Energy category.

“The problem in Gumla is that it’s topographically challenging. The population density is very low. The villages are huge and all houses aren’t electrified. We surveyed all hamlets, calculated the cost and realised that if we electrified the houses through the normal grid process, the cost of even powering a single household could sometimes go up to Rs 2-3 crore because of how far they are. So, we decided to use a solar microgrid. Sunlight isn’t a problem here because it’s right on the tropic of cancer. Fifty-five villages have been electrified this way, 1,600 houses,” he said.

Village residents previously spent much of their earnings on oil and batteries for lamps. Now, every home in Parsapani has a solar panel that powers bulbs. “We used to finish all our work before it’s dark. If we ran out of water at night, we had to go to the stream with a torch,” said Bilasi Devi, 41. “Now, we have light and water at our doorstep.”

Only one home in this village of around 10 families is not fully connected. Suddhu Birjia, 54, lives on slightly higher ground, and his house remains without direct water access. But a tap was installed some distance from his house. “At least we don’t have to go all the way to the stream,” says his wife, Budhni Devi.

Forty km away from Parsapani, an even more remote village has seen similar benefits. Located in a forest, Jalhan village cannot be found on Google Maps. During the lockdown, a solar-powered water tank was installed, drawing water from a stream downhill. Jalhan’s own solar grid now ensures uninterrupted electricity for its 14 families.

“We told the DM that power lines wouldn’t work here. If something broke, it would take days to fix. He listened and provided an alternative,” said Charwa Asur, 60.

Education has also improved. Jalhan, once without a single matriculate, now has two students — Ramnath Asur and Umesh Asur — who have completed class 10 and left for higher studies. “They will change our village’s future,” says Charwa.