Khaira Becomes India’s First 100% Rooftop Solar Village

Khaira village in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district has achieved 100% rooftop solar coverage, with all 141 households equipped with solar power systems under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Officials announced the achievement on Monday, describing it as the first village in India to achieve complete household coverage under the scheme.

With a population of 889, Khaira now has a combined rooftop solar capacity of approximately 282 kilowatts (kW). Each household has received a 2-kW solar system, helping residents generate electricity and reduce their dependence on conventional power supply.

Khaira Becomes First Village to Achieve 100% Solar Coverage

Rajnandgaon Collector Jitendra Yadav said all households in Khaira had been covered under the central government’s rooftop solar initiative.

“Khaira is the first village in India where 100 percent of households have been covered with rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar scheme,” Yadav said.

According to officials, the solar systems were provided to residents at no cost through a combination of central and state government subsidies and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding.

Of the village’s 141 households, 93 are beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

How the Rooftop Solar Systems Will Reduce Electricity Bills

Under the net-metering arrangement, households can use the electricity generated by their rooftop solar panels and send surplus power to the electricity grid. This arrangement helps residents reduce their monthly electricity expenses.

Collector Jitendra Yadav said the initiative would provide significant financial relief to families with limited incomes by lowering their electricity bills.

The beneficiaries include households dependent on pensions, farming, domestic work and wages earned under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika (VB-G RAM G) programme.

Solar Power Brings Relief to Low-Income Families

Residents said the rooftop solar installations had eased concerns about monthly electricity expenses, particularly for families with limited and irregular incomes.

Shogil Gond, a PMAY-G beneficiary who lives alone and depends on her pension, said the solar system had reduced her worries about electricity bills.

“I live alone and depend only on my pension. Now I don’t have to worry about the electricity bill,” she said.

Kartik Yadav, another PMAY-G and pension beneficiary who works under VB-G RAM G and also does domestic work, said the savings would make a difference to his family.

“My earnings are small. With solar, I won’t have to worry about the electricity bill any more,” he said.

Women’s Groups Play Key Role in Achieving Full Coverage

Local women trained as PM Surya Sakhis played an important role in mobilising households and encouraging residents to adopt rooftop solar power.

Sangeeta Sahu was among the women who visited homes to explain the scheme, assist residents with applications and help complete the required documentation.

The campaign also received support from the self-help group network associated with Padma Shri awardee Phoolbasan Bai Yadav.

“People believe a neighbour more than they believe a paper. We went from house to house and explained the scheme to each family,” Sahu said.

The initiative was coordinated through the gram panchayat headed by Sarpanch Bhupendra Yadav. Officials also organised PM Surya Sabhas and special banking camps to explain the scheme, verify documents and complete banking formalities.

Administration Says Khaira Model Can Be Replicated

The district administration coordinated with government departments, banks, CSR partners and local community groups to ensure that all households received rooftop solar systems.

Yadav credited the participation of villagers and the efforts of women working as PM Surya Sakhis for achieving complete coverage.

“The Khaira experience shows that coordination between the administration, local community, banks, CSR partners and women’s groups can help achieve complete coverage,” he said.

With all 141 households equipped with 2-kW rooftop solar systems, Khaira has reached a combined installed capacity of around 282 kW. The district administration believes the village’s experience could serve as a model for expanding household rooftop solar coverage in other parts of the country.

What Is the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a government initiative aimed at encouraging households to install rooftop solar power systems. Through financial assistance and subsidies, the scheme seeks to increase residential solar energy adoption and help families reduce their electricity expenses.

Khaira’s achievement demonstrates how government support, community participation, women’s groups and local administration can work together to extend rooftop solar access across an entire village.