India's first solar village - in pictures

  • Solar-powered street lights at Modhera village, where a 6-megawatt PV power plant is connected to rooftop solar panels. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
    Solar-powered street lights at Modhera village, where a 6-megawatt PV power plant is connected to rooftop solar panels. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
  • The solar panels are installed on about 1,350 houses in the village, providing round-the-clock electricity
    The solar panels are installed on about 1,350 houses in the village, providing round-the-clock electricity
  • The Sun Temple in Modhera also runs on solar power in the evenings
    The Sun Temple in Modhera also runs on solar power in the evenings
  • The solar power plant in Sujanpur, near Modhera, is seen in the background
    The solar power plant in Sujanpur, near Modhera, is seen in the background
  • The 11th-century Sun Temple receives solar-powered electricity every day
    The 11th-century Sun Temple receives solar-powered electricity every day
  • The project was launched after the village, like many others in India, was beset by regular power cuts
    The project was launched after the village, like many others in India, was beset by regular power cuts
  • Pathan Sikandar Khan, a farmer in Modhera, shows us the electricity meter at his home
    Pathan Sikandar Khan, a farmer in Modhera, shows us the electricity meter at his home
  • Modhera is the first village in India to run completely on solar power
    Modhera is the first village in India to run completely on solar power
  • The Sun Temple site has solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations
    The Sun Temple site has solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations
  • Mr Khan says the installations have reduced power expenses for most households by anything between 40 and 100 per cent
    Mr Khan says the installations have reduced power expenses for most households by anything between 40 and 100 per cent
  • The scheme has transformed life for the 1,350 families in the village, which now has 24-hour electricity – and no power cuts
    The scheme has transformed life for the 1,350 families in the village, which now has 24-hour electricity – and no power cuts
  • The once dark streets are illuminated by solar-powered lights at night
    The once dark streets are illuminated by solar-powered lights at night