We just take it for
granted: cleaning our teeth with an electric toothbrush in the morning,
unlimited texting, tweeting and snap-chatting with our friends on the way to work, safe and well-lit streets, superfast
internet access from our desk, the list goes on.
But for 300 million people in India this is not a given as they are still waiting for electricity.
For one village though the times of harmful diesel generators that provide electricity are over. Dharnai village in the Bihar province is the first village that has become energy self-sufficient thanks to the launch of Greenpeace’s and partners BASIX and CEED 100kW solar-powered micro grid that powers about 400 households and 50 commercial establishments round the clock.
The pictures below illustrate a positive solution story that hopefully leads to a brighter future for the villagers of Dharnai. To learn more visit www.dharnailive.org
A child in Dharnai village. People of Dharnai village in Bihar, India. The development of a solar-power micro-grid to electrify the entire village brings new hope for its inhabitants. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
Greenpeace India Executive Director Samit Aich switches on the solar-powered micro-grid at its launch ceremony in Dharnai village. © Prashant Ravi / Greenpeace
Children sit under solar panels at Bishunpur Tolla, Dharnai village. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
A girl washes clothes at a water pump in Dharnai village. Solar-powered micro-grid is now supplying electricity to the village. © Ravi Sahani / Greenpeace
A farmer in a field in Dharnai village. The lack of electricity in the area has been always a big problem for farmers and crops irrigation. © Subrata Biswas / Greenpeace
The installation team works on the batteries at the cluster 1 (Bishunpur) of the solar micro-grid in Dharnai village. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
Solar panels installed on roofs at Dharnai village. © Ravi Sahani / Greenpeace
Kamal Kishore Prasadis, Village Electricity Committee (VEC) chairman of Bishunpur Tolla, Dharnai village. His leadership has encouraged others in Dharnai to embrace change and work towards a brighter future. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
Mukhiya inside his house, lit up by solar powered CFLs (compact fluorescent lamp). © Vivek M / Greenpeace
A woman at Dharnai Tolla works in a fields. Solar panels are seen in the background. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
A woman holds a light in Dharnai village. A solar-powered micro-grid is now supplying electricity to the village. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
A solar powered street lamp seen at Maha Dalit Tolla, Dharnai village. © Vivek M / Greenpeace
