Solar Energy and Smart Village Development in Selected Areas of North Karnataka

The concept of sustainable rural development has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in developing countries like India. Smart villages aim to enhance the quality of rural life through improved infrastructure, renewable energy integration, digital services, and efficient governance. Among renewable sources, solar energy plays a crucial role due to its availability, environmental benefits, and suitability for decentralized applications. This study examines the role of solar energy in the development of smart villages, focusing on awareness levels, applications, benefits, and challenges. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis was carried out using the chi-square test. The findings indicate a positive perception of solar energy among rural respondents and highlight its potential as a backbone for smart village development. The main aim of the article is to present the concept of a smart village as an instrument for the implementation of public tasks in rural areas. The theoretical basis of the smart village concept is the basic point of reference. The implementation of the assumptions of the smart village concept in Poland gives municipalities the possibility of an innovative approach to the implementation of local public services. The authors demonstrated that there is no universal model for each unit. A smart village will implement solutions tailored to economic, social, cultural, and natural conditions.