Setting the stage for salt pan workers to supply solar power and make some extra money, Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has permitted Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) to procure 2.7 MW solar power generated by salt pan workers of Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) during off-season period in salt pan work.

As many as 3,000 salt pan workers in the Kutch desert use solar-powered pumps to draw saline water for salt production. These salt pan workers use solar panels- with an aggregate capacity to produce 2.7 MW power- for six months (October to April) for salt production at a remote location. The panels remain idle in warehouses during the remaining off-season period of six months.Read More