The Charanka Solar Park is the first solar park in India. Built for Rs. 5,365 crores, 2,178.8 hectares of unused land was acquired for building it. It brought the spotlight on Gujarat’s solar energy prowess and was followed by the creation of the Khavda Solar Park.
Overview of Charanka Solar Park
The Charanka Solar Park is located in Charanka village in Patan district, Gujarat. At the time of its launch, it was Asia’s largest solar Park.
During its launch, then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi said, “The solar park will usher in a new revolution in this area. We will ensure that the project benefits the local people…By harnessing solar energy to generate 500 MW power, we will be able to cut carbon emission by a whopping 80 lakh tonne.”
Capacity of Charanka Solar Park
The solar capacity of the Gujarat Solar Park in Charanka is 730 MW. It also has 4.2 MW of wind power capacity, with 2 wind mills of 2.1 MW capacity each.
Below we have listed the capacity installed by different developers at the Charanka Solar Park:
- ZF Steering Gear India Ltd: 5 MW
- NKG Infrastructure Ltd: 10 MW
- Alex Astral Power Pvt Ltd: 25 MW
- Sindicatum Solar Energy Gujarat Pvt. Ltd: 15 MW
- SEI Solar Power: 25 MW
- GMR Gujarat Solar Power Pvt Ltd: 25 MW
- Solarfield Energy Pvt Ltd: 20 MW
- E I Technologies Pvt. Ltd: 1 MW
- Emami Power Ltd: 10 MW
- GSPC Pipavav Power Co. Ltd: 5 MW
- Roha Dychem Pvt Ltd: 25 MW
- Surana Telecome & Power Ltd: 5 MW
- Avtar Solar Pvt. Ltd: 5 MW
- Sun Clean Renewable Power Pvt Ltd: 6 MW
- Lanco Solar Gujarat Pvt Ltd: 15 MW
- Palace Solar Energy Ltd: 15 MW
- Yantra eSolar India Pvt Ltd: 5 MW
- Gujarat Power Corporation Limited: 5 MW
- Universal Solar System: 2 MW
- Kindle Energy & Construction Pvt Ltd: 50 MW
- Gujarat Power Corporation Limited: 10 MW
- Gujarat State Electricity Limited: 10 MW
- Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited: 5 MW
- Torrent Power: 51 MW
- Gujarat Industries Power Corporation Limited: 40 MW
- Renew Solar Energy Karnaraka: 40 MW
- Gujarat Industrial Power Corporation Limited: 40 MW
- Astra Solren Pvt Ltd: 40 MW
- Orange Charanka Solar Energy Pvt Ltd: 40 MW
- Tata Renewable Power: 25 MW
- Astra Solren Pvt Ltd: 25 MW
- Gujarat Alkaline and Chemicals Limited: 15 MW
- Gujarat Alkaline and Chemicals Limited: 20 MW
- Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemicals: 10 MW
- Gujarat Industrial Power Corporation Limited: 75 MW
- Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizer and Chemicals: 10 MW
The following projects are currently under construction at Charanka Solar Park:
- Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemicals: 15 MW
- Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizer and Chemicals: 5 MW
Charanka Solar Park Area
Here’s a breakdown of the area occupied by the Charanka Solar Park:
- Total Area: 1897 hectares
- Area occupied by infrastructure: 282 hectares
- Area occupied by projects: 1615 hectares
Infrastructure Facility
The following infrastructural facilities are installed at Charanka Solar Park:
- 66 /220 /400 kV Pooling Substation
- 45 KM long water supply pipeline from Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd.
- Water distribution system
- Road connectivity, telecommunication system, outer fencing, security
Skill Development Centre at Charanka Solar Park
As per a news report, the Gujarat government planned to develop a Skill Development Centre at the solar park to impart training on maintaining solar panels and other skills such as plumbing, and repairing electrical equipment. The centre would also run women-centric skill development initiatives.
Testimonials of Charanka Solar Park Beneficiaries
An effective way to judge the impact of Charanka Solar Park on the local economy is to see what the locals have to say about it. Therefore, you can read the following testimonials to judge for yourself the benefits of the Charanka Solar Park:
- The construction of the solar park has made a big difference in the lives of the villagers, both women and men. Before, the main livelihood of the people was livestock raising. The dry season was a problem because of lack of water. Hence, they used to move to other villages for water during the dry months. When the solar park was constructed, many people got jobs, like construction work, security guards, drivers, and cleaning of solar panels. With the construction of roads and installation of street lights, more local entrepreneurs emerged and built shops and stores, such that the women do not need to go outside of the village to buy food and other household needs. The solar park generated jobs and livelihood for women and men. They now earn a lot more and have a better life.”
- Patel Hinaben Jayantibhai (33 years old, woman, married, a teacher at Charanka Primary School since 2008)
2.“Before our engagement in the project as trainers, we used to share our livelihood skills only to our neighbors. The project gave us a chance to go to remote rural villages to teach poor women. While the women learned skills, which they could use for livelihood, we earned because the project paid us for our training services. We got the recognition of our families, especially our spouses, because they realized that we could train other women and we could earn from doing this. We also felt good that there are trained women, who have started to grow their own vegetables, which reduced their need to go to the market.”
- Anjanaben Parmar (40 years old, woman, married, SEWA’s trainer in electricity conservation)
India is one of the world’s leaders in producing solar power. The largest solar parks in India are some of the largest in the whole world. The Charanka Solar Park was the predecessor to the Bhadla and Khavda Solar Parks. They will help India achieve its renewable energy targets and curb the impact of greenhouse gas emissions globally.
