Panaji: Harvalem village, nestled in Goa’s mining belt, is quietly becoming energy self-sufficient by installing rooftop solar power systems.With nearly 80% of households already installing rooftop solar panels, the village has emerged as a practical, affordable, and replicable model of everyday sustainability. The change is visible across Harvalem’s rooftops, where solar arrays convert abundant daylight into dependable electricity. For families, the shift means lower monthly power bills, reduced exposure to tariff hikes, and greater control over household expenses.“We wanted our village to be carbon footprint-free, and the PM Surya Ghar scheme has helped the villagers towards this end,” said Harvalem sarpanch Gauravi Naik.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said Harvalem is “shining a new light on being swayampurna”.“Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Harvalem village is transforming into a swayampurna solar village, with 70–80 rooftop solar panels already installed. With a simple registration process and the benefits of clean, renewable energy, more households are embracing solar power as the new normal,” Sawant said.He added that people should “celebrate the power of the sun and take another step towards a green, clean and swayampurna Goa”.Harvalem’s progress is part of a broader state initiative. Goa govt has selected three villages under the net-positive panchayat model to make them energy self-sufficient, based on their distinct characteristics: Caurem Pirla is rural, Harvalem is developing, and Calangute is urban.The Goa Energy Development Authority has identified Caurem Pirla panchayat for a community-owned eco-tourism model, Harvalem panchayat for a net-positive village model, and Calangute panchayat for a green tourism zone.Considering Caurem Pirla’s rural setting and ecological sensitivity, state govt wants it developed as a low-impact eco-tourism model integrated with clean energy and livelihood generation.In view of Harvalem’s growing residential and commercial energy demand, govt has positioned it as a pilot net-positive developing village model. Planned components include the solarisation of public and community buildings such as the panchayat office, schools, and health facilities; facilitating adoption of household and small commercial rooftop solar systems under existing schemes; and implementing energy-efficiency measures.Calangute, one of Goa’s most prominent tourist destinations, experiences high seasonal footfall and vehicular congestion and has been selected to promote green tourism in selected stretches.
