Uttar Pradesh has marked a significant achievement in renewable energy by crossing the one gigawatt milestone in installed solar capacity under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Muft Bijlee Yojana. This accomplishment, recorded as of November 27, positions the state as a frontrunner in India's clean energy transition.
Massive Household Adoption and Land Savings
The scheme has witnessed tremendous response from residents across the state. Over 2.9 lakh households have installed solar rooftop systems, enabling families to significantly reduce their electricity bills while generating additional income through excess power generation.
An unexpected environmental benefit has emerged from this initiative - the program has saved nearly 4,000 acres of land that would have otherwise been required for conventional power projects. This conserved land can now be utilized for other crucial development projects across Uttar Pradesh.
Financial Support Driving Widespread Participation
Substantial financial backing from both central and state governments has been instrumental in the scheme's success. Consumers have received grants worth Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre and an additional Rs 600 crore from the state government, making solar installations affordable and attractive for ordinary households.
The reduced financial burden has encouraged mass participation, bringing clean energy within reach of middle-class families and accelerating the state's renewable energy adoption rate.
Vendor Growth and Employment Generation
The program has stimulated remarkable growth in the solar ecosystem. The number of registered vendors has exploded from just 81 in the initial phase to 4,200 currently, ensuring better technical support and faster installation services across the state.
This expansion has created approximately 50,000 new jobs in various sectors including solar panel manufacturing, installation, monitoring, and maintenance services. The employment opportunities have provided a significant boost to the local economy while building technical expertise within the state.
State officials emphasized that this achievement reflects Uttar Pradesh's strong commitment to energy security and sustainable development. The government aims to connect every household to clean energy sources and build a self-reliant energy system in the coming years, further strengthening the state's position as a leader in renewable energy adoption.
