Society Secretary Pitambar Lal said that he always had a dream of doing something new in rural areas. Due to lack of irrigation facility in the area, farming was dependent on rain, due to which the works like greenhouse and dairy farms were difficult. Also, there were difficulties in cold storage, crop grading system and marketing due to distance from the city. For this reason, he thought of doing such a thing that could be established without any major problem. Under this idea, the proposal of solar plant was put before the management committee.
In August 2023, the plant was allotted to the Society from the Department of Snow Energy. Within nine months, its work was completed in March 2024, a cooperative meeting of a megawatt in Patdighat’s Gulela, Harsar, a solar power project was established. On setting up the plant, it cost about Rs 5 crore. A loan of Rs 2.70 crore was taken from State Bank of India, Sundernagar and the remaining Rs 2.30 crore invested.
Power procurement contract for 25 years
Electricity produced from the plant is being sold to Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited at the rate of Rs 3.75 per unit. The society has signed a contract to purchase power for 25 years for this. In summer, the production capacity of the plant is 90–95% while in winter up to 70%. With this, income of 50 to 55 lakh rupees per year is estimated. The cost of the project will be completed in the next 10 to 12 years, after which the increase in profits is certain.
This plant has also provided employment opportunities to the youth directly and indirectly. Solar fencing, CCTV cameras and washing systems have been arranged for the maintenance of the power plant. The society has also appointed an electrician and a watchman.
Income from vacant land also
To set up a solar plant, 30 bighas of land has been taken from Dila Ram, a retired teacher of Gulela, Harsar, on lease for 30 years. Farming on this land was a loss deal, but now Ram Ram is earning about one and a half lakh rupees per year.
Pitambar Lal said that the initiative taken by the state government to promote solar energy is commendable. Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan said that people are being motivated to set up more solar plants in the district under the government’s solar policy.
Senior Executive Engineer Electricity Department, Sarkaghat Raj Kumar Gupta informed that six solar power plants have been set up in the subdivision in the sub -division at Janadru Kalan, Lower Ghata, Sulpur Bujarana, Sulpur Book, Appar Bhambla, Gulela Harasar and Maseran Bhadwar. The government produced from them is buying at the rate of Rs 3.75 per unit.
