Modhera’s Solar Revolution Moves to Green Mobility
India's first 24x7 solar village, Modhera, is now integrating green mobility with new solar-powered EV charging stations.
Modhera, celebrated as India’s first 24x7 solar-powered village, is taking its clean-energy mission to the next level by integrating renewable energy into local transportation. Through the ambitious Solar Village Modhera 2.0 initiative, the village is transitioning from just powering homes to supporting green mobility through electric vehicles and solar-powered charging infrastructure.
Powering the Future of Travel
The expansion is backed by a massive infrastructure upgrade, including a 6 MW solar power plant and a 15 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This setup ensures that clean energy is available not just for household appliances, but for the village's growing fleet of electric vehicles.
A key highlight of this new phase is the establishment of a dedicated electric vehicle charging station located near the historic Sun Temple. This station draws its power directly from the solar ground-mounted power plant, allowing residents to charge their vehicles using pure, renewable energy.
“An electric vehicle charging station has also been set up near the Solar Temple, with its power supply coming from the solar ground-mounted power plant,” said Dilip Kumar, Deputy Engineer at Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL). “People can use it to charge their vehicles, helping them save on petrol and diesel and reduce carbon emissions.”
Economic Relief for Residents
For many in Modhera, the shift to electric mobility is as much about economics as it is about the environment. Many residents rely on two-wheelers for daily commutes and to support small business activities. The availability of cheap, solar-generated electricity for charging provides a significant financial cushion.
Bharatbhai Suthar, a local resident, highlighted the practical benefits: “This will help us save a significant amount of petrol and diesel. With solarisation, we are able to travel several kilometres and carry out various small businesses and daily activities at a lower cost.”
A Comprehensive Clean Energy Ecosystem
The success of Modhera lies in its holistic approach. Solar energy has already transformed domestic life, providing reliable power for essential appliances. Residents like Khushi Bharatbhai Patel noted that the solar system allows them to run heavy appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and even household flour mills.
By linking electricity generation, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging, Modhera is creating a blueprint for sustainable rural living. This integrated model demonstrates how renewable energy can simultaneously meet household needs and revolutionize local transportation, reducing both fuel expenses and the community's carbon footprint.