SOLAR VILLAGE SDG
Community Interest Company
SOLAR VILLAGE PROJECTS
Solar Village SDG aims to provide funding to implement more solar villages, and to organise and run educational and community development programmes, in partnership with rural schools.
These projects aim to accelerate sustainable development of needy communities, reduce poverty, and the mitigate damaging effects of climate change.
On this page you will see examples of solar village projects already completed which were funded by a variety of private donors or professional groups, under the stewardship of Professor Dharmadasa.
PROJECTS COMPLETED BY FRIENDS OF
"THE SOLAR VILLAGE CONCEPT"
Recent Projects
Mediyawa
Mediyawa, a village near Maho, is grappling with poverty and severe human-elephant conflict, tragic loss of two lives, one of whom was a university student. Sponsored by APSL-UK (a UK based professional charity association) a 5-kW solar roof system was completed in November 2024. We hope to encourage bee-keeping as a natural form of defence to manage the Elephant/Human interactions.
Kanatholuwa
This impoverished community in Kurunegala, selected for development by the National Science Foundation (NSF), partnered with Sarvodaya, a renowned development organization. Sarvodaya conducted a "sramadana" (voluntary work) camp in the village. Following an appeal for 5-kW solar roof donations, Regen Renewables Ltd contributed a solar roof through their CSR program. This collaborative effort, coordinated by Professors Kamal Vidanapathirana and Kumudu Perera from Wayamba University, has now completed a solar village in March 2025.
We encourage other PV companies and private enterprise to collaborate with us to expand renewables across the island, as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility measures.
Sobithagama
Sobithagama, a village housing Tsunami and conflict-affected families, lacks adequate housing, education, and healthcare. Facing vulnerability to droughts, the village monk requested assistance for an agro-well. This led to its selection as a suitable site for a solar village. During a visit, a British family decided to sponsor the project and subsequently did so via their own charity, including a 5-kW solar roof, a solar water pumping system for the agro-well, and support for the hospital roof. The first step involved installing a 5-kW solar roof with a water purification system.
Panama
This project aims to foster reconciliation in a diverse community by installing 5-kW solar roofs on three schools (Sinhala, Tamil, and a common Secondary school). The generated electricity will be fed into the grid, with the revenue used to support community development initiatives managed by a transparent VDC. The project also aims to empower an equal gender-balanced VDC with guidance from the Solar Village SDG team. A British family's visit to the community inspired their immediate support by providing green boards to a school followed by facilitation of an important connection to an international charitable foundation. Solar roof installations have now been completed, including securing permission from the Education Director and establishing a community VDC.
Proposed Project Sites seeking Funding
Solar Village SDG supports underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka by providing access to solar energy. We aim to raise awareness, attract funding, and inspire action to create a sustainable future for all. Join us in our mission to make a positive impact on people's lives.
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The SOLAR VILLAGE project is actively exploring suitable locations and identifying local coordinators in Jaffna, Puttalam, Batticaloa, and Medagama.
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The recent projects described above were completed through the vigorous support and sponsorship of independent charity organisations and interested individuals who believe in the transformative value of the "solar village concept".
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While fundraising efforts are ongoing by Solar Village SDG, the team is encouraging community participation by exploring "crowdfunding" options to enable some villages to install solar panels independently and seek sponsorship collaborations to expand the solar village concept.
SUN SEEKERS: WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOK OUT FOR PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
for the "Solar Village project".
Get in touch with Dharme at : chair@solarvillagesdg.org
with cc to Nilmini at : ceo@solarvillagesdg.org
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Click on the image below for our article dated 7 March 2025 in The Sun newspaper of Sri Lanka
on how you can help:
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" Empowering rural communities with renewable energy":
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