Scheduled Tribes in border districts of Uttarakhand & in other states of country like Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Bihar etc were using hand operated drop spindle & paddle operated charkha for spinning of Wool & Silk. The drop spindle is quite primitive and yields hardly fifty grams yarn/day. The yarn spun on this device is uneven with non uniform twist. Secondly paddle operated spinning machine is difficult to operate & paddling causes abdominal pain due to heavy flywheel. This machine yields 60-80 grams/hours. In order to increase the earnings and enhancing livelihood opportunities of spinners, we need to introduce atomized efficient machines.
UREDA has launched a Solar Charkha programme for people in various districts of Uttarakhand which were using hand operated drop spindle & paddle operated charkha for spinning of Wool & Silk. In order to increase the earnings and enhancing livelihood opportunities of spinners, UREDA has introduce solar powered motorised spinning machine with the help of NGO’s like AVANI and TERI.
Sl. No. |
Particulars |
Capacity |
1 |
DC Motor with speed regulator in single spindle charkha |
80 Watt |
2 |
Solar PV Panel with mounting structure |
74 Watt |
3 |
Tubular plate battery with battery box |
12 volt 40 AH |
4 |
CFL fitting mounted on Charkha |
5 Watt |
UREDA has installed 138 numbers of solar charkha during year 2008-09 in district Uttarkasi of Uttarakhand. This figure increases by 152 numbers in the year 2009-10. The cost of single spindle solar charkha is come around Rs. 47,000. The MNRE is providing CFA of Rs. 243 per watt under JNNSM.
1- The use of Solar Motorised Charkha can produce about three times more output.
2- This device is time saving.
3- It is good source of income generation.
4- The quality of Wool is better then drop spindle and primitive charkha.
5- Introduction of new improved rural technology for enhancing livelihood.
6- Use of renewable energy in unelectrified areas.