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Time of India

Solar system installations underway in BharatNet sites in Meghalaya

Shillong: In a major thrust to rural electrification and digital connectivity, the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency is installing off-grid solar systems at 63 BharatNet-1 sites across the state, including government schools, ICDS centres, and community halls, officials said on Tuesday. The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted power for BharatNet infrastructure using off-grid solar systems, enhancing internet access in remote areas while promoting clean energy , they said. BharatNet is an ambitious project of the Centre aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. "This intervention is not just about electrification. It's about empowering rural communities with access to digital services, education, and clean energy," MNREDA Director Joram Beda said. Under the BharatNet project, solarisation of 22 government lower primary schools is underway, while installation work has also started at 8 secondary schools, 4 ICDS centres, and 29 community halls, he said. Simultaneously, under the Chief Minister's Solar Mission, 125 lower primary schools in East Garo Hills, 72 with 1.1 kVA and 53 with 2.2 kVA off-grid inverter systems are being solarised, he said. A similar rollout will begin in East Jaintia Hills, covering 123 schools, the official said. "The CM Solar Mission is aimed at making schools energy-resilient, especially in far-flung villages that suffer from frequent outages," Beda added. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), solar hybrid inverter systems are being installed for 492 households in East Khasi Hills' Mylliem block, and 354 beneficiaries in North and East Garo Hills. These include 0.85 kVA and 1.7 kVA systems depending on household needs, another official said. These efforts are part of a broader push to integrate clean energy into grassroots infrastructure, he said. MNREDA's solar initiatives received support through a mix of international aid, central subsidies (MNRE CFA), and state funding, the officials said.