A small village in Chittoor district has earned national recognition by turning every rooftop into a source of clean energy. Swarna Naravaripalli, the native village of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has won the prestigious Skoch Golden Award for its achievement in becoming Andhra Pradesh’s first fully solar-powered village.
In just 45 days, 1,600 homes in the village were equipped with rooftop solar panels under the Haritha Swarnandhra initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting green energy. The project was implemented as part of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a joint effort of the Union and State governments.
Officials said the installations carry a total capacity of 3,396 kilowatts and will generate 4.89 million units of electricity every year. The estimated economic value of the power generated is about ₹3.39 crore annually. “Every household has been given solar power free of cost, making the village self-reliant in energy,” an SPDCL official said.
Chittoor District Collector S Venkateshwar and SPDCL Superintending Engineer Surendra Naidu received the award at a ceremony in New Delhi on Saturday.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu congratulated the villagers for their achievement. He praised officials and residents alike for showing how community participation and government support can create a model of sustainable development. “Swarna Naravaripalli is now a symbol of green progress for the entire State,” he said.
The recognition, villagers say, is not just about technology but about transformation. For many families, reduced electricity costs and reliable power supply have already begun to make a tangible difference in their daily lives.