Modhera, in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, is extending its renewable energy model beyond household electricity to electric mobility. The village, declared India’s first 24-hour solar-powered village in October 2022, is now drawing attention for its solar-powered electric vehicle charging infrastructure near the Sun Temple and residents’ growing use of electric vehicles. The development connects renewable generation with a practical everyday application: charging vehicles using electricity from a local solar plant.
The foundation is a solarisation project implemented by Gujarat Power Corporation Limited under a scheme launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in March 2020. The infrastructure includes a 6 MW grid-connected, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic plant, a 15 MWh battery energy storage system, 1,297 residential rooftop solar systems rated at 1 kW each, and 305 kW of rooftop solar capacity across government buildings. Smart meters and solar EV charging stations were also included in the project design. The total investment was approximately ₹76.66 crore, shared equally between the central and Gujarat governments. The project was completed and inaugurated on October 9, 2022.
The project’s distinctive feature is the combination of distributed rooftop generation, a larger solar plant and battery storage. Rather than relying on rooftop panels alone, the integrated system was designed to meet household and agricultural electricity requirements while supporting round-the-clock renewable power supply. The government’s project documentation also describes Modhera as a net electricity producer, with solar generation across eligible buildings exceeding local consumption and surplus electricity benefiting the grid and residents.
The mobility extension gives this infrastructure another use. A charging station near the Sun Temple allows electric vehicles to draw on solar-generated electricity, potentially reducing petrol and diesel consumption for local travel. However, the actual emissions benefit depends on how much charging electricity comes from solar generation, how the battery system is operated and how frequently residents use electric vehicles. The recent reporting confirms the mobility push, but does not provide verified figures for the number of EVs adopted, charging volumes or fuel savings.
Modhera’s experience offers a practical model for other communities considering the integration of renewable energy and transport. Replication would require more than installing solar panels and chargers: planners would need to match charging demand with generation, provide reliable connections and maintenance, and assess storage needs and costs. The village’s significance lies in demonstrating how local solar infrastructure can support multiple energy uses, while its longer-term impact will depend on measurable adoption, operating performance and economic outcomes.