Ladakh, often called the 'roof of the world', is located at
quite a remote location. Electric lines are few in the region,
and the ones that have been set up often go out of commission
whenever heavy snowfall takes place. Thankfully, Ladakh has
always received high intensity sunlight round the year, and the
local people have been putting that to good use, earlier to dry
vegetables and fruits to prepare winter rations, and now to
generate electricity. The crystal, clear sky and pollution free
mountain air has allowed most of the sun's rays to hit the land,
and has facilitated the process. Indeed, Ladakh can boast of
housing possibly India's first, truly solar powered community.
Solar power modules are used to generate electricity for almost
any kind of task. Be it keeping lights burning in the homes
round the year, or running small scale home appliances necessary
for food processing without putting any stress on the national
grid, citizens of Ladakh have learned to rely on solar modules
for almost all their ta