Small towns show higher adoption rate of rooftop solar panels compared to large metropolises

Smaller urban centers in India are actively contributing to the country's energy transition as more households opt for rooftop solar installations to cover daytime electricity needs and reduce monthly electricity bills. Excess energy generated during sunny hours is fed into the grid and consumed at night, which in many cases allows bills to be reduced to zero.

Leaders in Solar Energy Adoption

These areas, including second and third-tier centers such as Jalgaon, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra; Junagadh, Mehsana, and Bhavnagar in Gujarat; Thrissur, Kollam, and Alappuzha in Kerala; and Ganganagar in Rajasthan, are among the top 50 districts in the country for rooftop solar system adoption.

It is noteworthy that major metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata did not even make it into the top 100 districts. The ambitious government program, Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in February 2024, is rapidly developing. This program aims to promote rooftop solar installations and provide up to 300 units of free electricity per month to one crore households, and it will run until March 2027.

Statistics and Program Support

Currently, 36.3 lakh solar panel systems have been installed, benefiting over 44.1 lakh households. Out of the total program funding of ₹75,021 crore, more than ₹25,000 crore has been allocated as subsidies. For solar panel systems up to 3 kW, the Center provides a subsidy of ₹78,000, and several states have announced additional incentives.

According to officials, over 60% of all installations fall into the 3–4 kW category. Leading states in adoption include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Assam. Officials noted that states like Uttar Pradesh and Kerala are conducting effective awareness campaigns, which is reflected in the scheme's popularity. One official stated that 'states have formed teams at the disco and district levels to raise awareness about cleaner and cheaper energy sources. Adoption is definitely higher in such states.'

Model Development and Goals

The Ministry reported that the program has gained an 'unprecedented' momentum, completing an average of about three lakh installations monthly. While the highest demand is observed among households with independent houses and sufficient roof space, efforts are now focused on including hostels in the scheme to expand its urban reach. A single rooftop solar panel installation on a residential complex can meet the needs of several households, as well as common facilities.

The government is also promoting the Utility-Scale Aggregation (ULA) model to accelerate renewable energy adoption among low-income and vulnerable populations. The ULA model is being applied in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi. This model is designed for economical consumers and households receiving free or subsidized electricity who cannot install rooftop solar systems due to financial or structural constraints. The Ministry has set a target to cover 30 lakh households under this model.

www.aajtak.inJuly 3, 20:26

Uttar Pradesh Government Announces 20% Discount on EV Charging Tariffs During Solar Hours

The government of Uttar Pradesh has made a significant decision aimed at stimulating the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and encouraging the maximum adoption of solar energy. Now, during designated solar hours, from 9 AM to 4 PM, a 20 percent discount will be provided on EV charging tariffs in the region.

Goals and Benefits of the Initiative

According to the government, this measure helps increase the number of electric vehicle users and accelerates the transition to clean energy. Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma announced this during a press conference on Friday, emphasizing that the state's goal is to ensure the maximum utilization of cheap solar energy available during the day.

Development of Energy Infrastructure

The minister noted that this step will not only strengthen the EV charging infrastructure but also be important in protecting the environment and promoting green energy. He also mentioned that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state of Uttar Pradesh is constantly setting new records in terms of electricity production, supply, and consumer interests.

Social Support and Record Figures

Arvind Kumar Sharma stated that for the seventh consecutive year, there have been no increases in electricity tariffs in the state. Existing tariffs remain unchanged for all categories of consumers, which provides relief to poor sections of the population, farmers, households, and other consumers. He added that Uttar Pradesh is among the states in the country with the lowest electricity tariffs and the best quality of power supply.

Progress in Energy Production

Recently, the state set a new national record by successfully meeting the highest electricity demand—32,673 megawatts. According to the energy minister, unlike previous governments when thermal generation was limited to approximately 5,180 megawatts, work is now actively underway to increase production solely through solar energy. Solar parks with a capacity of about 4,000 megawatts are currently being developed, and under the 'Prime Minister's Solar Adoption Home' program, capacity development of about 2,500 megawatts is planned.

Modernization and the Future of Energy

Furthermore, work is actively underway on new thermal power plants in Mirzapur, Medh, and other areas. The government has also significantly improved the efficiency of old thermal power plants. If these plants previously operated at a Plant Load Factor (PLF) of about 65 percent, their efficiency has now increased to almost 85 percent. Arvind Kumar Sharma expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh is moving towards self-sufficiency in the energy sector and strengthening its reputation as a model state for the country in terms of power generation, green energy, and uninterrupted supply.