Solar project to generate steady income and power rural development.

Dharech Declared Himachal’s First Green Panchayat with 500-kW Solar Plant.

Dharech village in Shimla district has become Himachal Pradesh’s first green panchayat with the inauguration of a 500-kW solar power plant by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The project, built at a cost of ₹1.94 crore, began construction in January 2025 and was connected to the grid on March 30 this year. The solar plant is currently generating around 3,000 units of clean electricity daily, translating into an estimated annual output of nearly 8 lakh units. Under a power purchase agreement, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited will buy the electricity at ₹3.50 per unit, providing the gram panchayat with an annual income of about ₹28 lakh. The revenue will be allocated toward development works, welfare of orphans and widows, state government share, Himurja, and operation and maintenance. With a lifespan of 25 years, the project is expected to strengthen clean energy adoption, promote rural self-reliance, and support long-term community welfare.