A milk group at Gomdar Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar is proving that solar power is not only eco-friendly but also economically smart. By powering their milk-chilling unit with solar energy, the Gomdar Om Nyamley Tshogdhey is saving on electricity bills and keeping milk fresh, even when the power goes out.
About 150 members of the Gomdar Om Nyamley Tshogdhey bring their milk to this collection centre in Gomdar Gewog.
The group collects over 500 litres of milk daily, which they sell every two days to Koufuku International, a dairy processing company in Trashigang.
To keep the milk fresh and ready for sale, chilling is essential, and that’s where solar power comes in.
Installed last year, 10 solar panels now power the milk-chilling machine entirely. Even during power cuts, the cooling continues uninterrupted.
“Using solar power has been a big help for the group. Once we collect milk from nearby villages, it must be kept in a chilling machine within 2 to 3 hours to prevent spoilage. Keeping the machine running is crucial to ensure milk stays fresh and can be sold to the company on time,” said Sonam Zangpo, a member of the milk group.
“Before the solar system, power fluctuations often made it difficult to sell milk. But since the system was installed one year ago with support from CARLEP, it has helped keep the milk fresh even during power outages,” said Kezang Dawa, another member.
“Milk is the main source of income here. While milk has to be kept in the chilling machine and electricity here is not reliable, so the solar power has benefited us a lot,” said Wangdi, also a member of Gomdar Om Nyamley Tshogdhey.
Before switching to solar, frequent outages often caused milk to spoil.
The group’s chairman said that in May last year, they lost nearly 1,000 litres of milk due to a power failure.
Now, with solar, not only is milk preserved better, but the group also saves around Nu 3,000 on electricity bills every month.
The solar system, which costs Nu 1.4 M, is supported by the Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme or CARLEP.
Kinley Wangchuk, SamdrupJongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
