Bhubaneswar: Matikhala, a village in Ganjam district, has emerged as a shining example of rural clean energy transition by becoming a fully solar-powered community under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Located in the Chhatrapur block under Kanamana Panchayat, the village has achieved 100% coverage among its eligible households. Out of approximately 450 total households, around 200 have successfully installed 1 kW rooftop solar systems.
The initiative operates through the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, introduced last year to accelerate solar adoption in rural areas. Under this approach, each participating household contributes just Rs 5,622 toward the solar panel, meter, and installation costs.
The Ganjam district administration has provided additional financial assistance to support eligible families in making the switch. Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan and Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak officially inaugurated the solar-powered village during a ceremony attended by representatives from Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPSODL), the distribution company leading the project. TPSODL handles the complete implementation—from installation and quality checks to ongoing support—offering a five-year warranty on system components and a 25-year warranty on the solar panels themselves.
Households now benefit from reliable, uninterrupted electricity at significantly lower costs, while contributing to environmental sustainability by generating their own clean power and reducing reliance on the grid.
Collector Vasan highlighted the scheme’s potential to cut electricity bills and encouraged more villagers to join. He noted that the district is actively collaborating with stakeholders to scale up rooftop solar adoption across panchayats.
MLA Nayak praised the effort as a clear demonstration of the government’s dedication to delivering affordable, eco-friendly energy to rural communities, expressing confidence that the ULA model will inspire broader participation nationwide.
