INDIA VILLAGE OF 2,400 GOES 100% SOLAR WITH BATTERIES, MICROGRID

India village claims a first – 100% solar, storage micro-grid

Emma Fitzpatrick, 21 July 2014 (RenewEconomy)

"…[Dharnai village in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, now sources] all of its own energy requirements with solar, while at least 19,000 other villages, or 82 per cent of the [Bihar] population...do not receive reliable power from the traditional grid-based system and still lack access to electricity…The 100-kilowatt (kW) system in Dharnai powers the 450 homes of the 2,400 residents, 50 commercial operations, two schools, a training centre and a health care facility. A battery backup ensures power around the clock…This includes 70 kW for electricity generation and 30 kW for 10 solar-powered water-pumping systems with three horsepower each. The system was built within three months…This [100% solar village] is a first for India…Reliable electricity in the evening has improved educational opportunities for village children, and brought the safety of street lighting. A dependable power supply has boosted the local economy, and brought a welcome improvement to the social life of the villagers…” click here for more

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