Mysuru: Seven villages in Mysuru district have been selected as contestants, under the ‘Model Solar Village’ scheme of the Central Government.

According to a press release from the Mysuru Division Engineer (Works and Maintenance), Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) Limited, the competition will be held from July 1 to Dec. 31. Winning village will receive an incentive of Rs. 1 crore from Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

“At a District-level Committee meeting, chaired by the Regional Commissioner of Mysuru recently, seven villages — Varkodu, Bilikere, Gandhanahalli, Saligrama, Tandavapura, Mooguru and Bettadapura — were chosen for the scheme in Mysuru. During the competition period, various measures will be taken under the local Gram Panchayats, to promote the use of renewable energy. They are: Installation of rooftop solar power units under PM’s Solar Rooftop Scheme for houses; Encouragement of rooftop solar installation, without subsidy for other consumers; Promotion of solar irrigation pump sets underPradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme; installation of solar power units on Govt. buildings with funding through Public-Private Partnership, RCSCO or budget grants; and installation of solar power units for drinking water facilities and street lights.”

“In the end of the contest, the village that uses the maximum renewable energy will be declared as the ‘Model Solar Village,’ based on an evaluation,” according to the press release.