The change of climate has caused major concern about conservation of ecology and nature. Therefore, Government of India is encouraging to use nonconventional energies such as solar and wind power wherever possible.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in its existing Khadi activities takes up production of Khadi cloth (cotton, silk and poly-vastras) using hand spun yarn produced from hand operated charkhas. The hand spun yarns are made into khadi cloths using hand or pedal operated looms. In the existing khadi production activities enough number of spinner artisans required to operate the charkhas are not available due to very less earning and drudgery involved in rotating the spinning wheels.

In order to extend requisite fillip and to help the sector to emerge as most potent employment provider, KVIC decided to introduce solar power charkha for production of solar spun yarns. This was taken up by Bhartiya Harit Khadi Gramodaya Sansthan (BHKGS - a KVIC certified organisation) and launched as pilot project in Khanwan village (Nawada, Bihar). Currently BHKGS has trained 3500 rural women who are becoming successful entrepreneurs through operating solar charkhas at their dwelling place itself. The yarn produced through these solar charkhas are taken-up for further production of cloth on solar and the finished products such as garments, furnishings, uniforms etc. These products are sold to established brands for their ‘Harit Khadi’ collections and new market platform ‘Greenwear’.

Mechanically, Solar Charkha is a modified NMC (New Model Charkha) having DC motor powered by solar energy. Solar Charkha increases production by 300% in comparison with the Amber Charkha.