Residents of Khaira in Chhattisgarh, India, paid nothing to have solar panels installed on their roofs, and the installations cover every home in the village.

For the 141 households, the project will bring financial relief from energy costs, freeing up money for food, medicine, and other essentials.

Here's what to know

Located in Rajnandgaon district, Khaira has 889 residents and nearly 282 kilowatts of combined solar capacity, with a 2-kilowatt system on every home, according to The New Indian Express.

Corporate social responsibility funding filled the gap between the installation costs and the amount covered by subsidies.

A Shining Example of Clean Energy and Sustainable Development! Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Khaira village in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, has emerged as India's first 100% solar-powered village. A remarkable milestone highlighting the impact of the scheme in promoting clean energy, empowering households with solar power and advancing the vision of a sustainable and energy-secure India. #PMSuryaGhar #VishnuDeoSai #Chhattisgarh #Sushasansarkar https://t.co/pIBWq81nK1

— CMO Chhattisgarh (@ChhattisgarhCMO) November 2, 2026

Ninety-three households benefit from Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, a rural housing program. Completion of their new homes also marked the start of their access to renewable electricity.

For residents everywhere, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, and solar leases in particular can deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings without upfront costs. Homeowners can use EasyHome's free explorer tool to see their potential savings from vetted installers in their area.

More background

Net metering gives Khaira's residents a way to supply the utility grid with electricity their homes do not use.

In Rajnandgaon, collector Jitendra Yadav said residents are no longer solely dependent on grid electricity, according to The New Indian Express.

The initiative also reached 88 people in 21 Scheduled Tribe families and 18 people in four Scheduled Caste families in the village.

Vulnerable households were the priority in Khaira, sarpanch Bhupendra Yadav said.

"I live alone and depend only on my pension," Shohgil Gond, a widow who lives alone, said, per The New Indian Express. "Now I don't have to worry about the electricity bill."

What's being done?

Local women mobilizers known as PM Surya Sakhis helped build the community trust needed to bring solar to every home.

Among them was Sangeeta Sahu, who worked alongside the village sarpanch and a self-help group network led by Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, a Padma Shri awardee.

The effort brought together district administrators, corporate funding partners, women leading community efforts, and rural banking networks.

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Kartik Yadav, a rural housing program beneficiary who balances domestic work and manual labor, expects financial relief.

"My earnings are small. With solar, I won't have to worry about the electricity bill anymore," Yadav said, according to The New Indian Express.

Where can I learn more?

Khaira is part of a wider push in India to lower electricity costs and make rooftop solar more accessible. 

• Goa's Harvalem village installed rooftop solar on 80% of homes, pursuing energy self-sufficiency.

• Maharashtra approved rooftop solar for 211,206 low-income homes, with up to 100 free units.

• An Indian teacher's six-panel off-grid solar system still cuts electricity bills after 15 years.

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