Uttar Pradesh leads India’s solar revolution under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with over 1 lakh rooftop solar installations by mid-2025. Targeting 8 lakh systems by 2027, the state has processed thousands of applications, empowered by subsidies and UPNEDA’s efforts. This surge supports clean energy goals, reduces electricity costs, and creates jobs, positioning UP as a solar powerhouse.
Uttar Pradesh’s Solar Surge Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a frontrunner in India’s renewable energy landscape, achieving over 1 lakh rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana by July 2025. Launched on February 15, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme aims to solarize 1 crore households nationwide by 2027, with UP setting an ambitious target of 8 lakh installations by March 2027. As of April 2025, the state has already processed over 11,000 applications in districts like Prayagraj alone, with 2,500+ vendors empanelled to support the rollout, according to the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).
The scheme offers substantial subsidies, covering up to 60% of costs for systems up to 2 kW (₹30,000 per kW) and 40% for 2-3 kW (total ₹78,000 for 3 kW), alongside state subsidies of ₹15,000 per kW, capped at ₹30,000 per consumer. These incentives have significantly reduced installation costs, bringing a 3 kW system down to approximately ₹1.2-1.3 lakh after subsidies. With Uttar Pradesh receiving over 300 sunny days annually, households are saving up to 300 units of electricity monthly, slashing bills by ₹15,000-18,000 annually. Surplus power sold to distribution companies (DISCOMs) further boosts household income.
UPNEDA’s “Har Ghar Solar Abhiyan” campaign has gained traction in cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, promoting solar adoption among urban and rural households. The state’s DISCOMs, including Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. and Poorvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., ensure seamless net meter installations and timely inspections. The scheme’s skilling component has also created over 1,000 jobs in UP for solar technicians, with training programs aligning with the national goal of producing 1 lakh skilled workers.
Nationally, the PM Surya Ghar scheme has surpassed 10 lakh installations, with UP contributing 73,602 households (8.69%) by March 2025, trailing only Gujarat and Kerala. The state has disbursed ₹4,770 crore in subsidies to 6.13 lakh beneficiaries nationwide, with UP’s share reflecting its robust implementation. The scheme’s success in UP is also reducing carbon emissions, with each installation offsetting emissions equivalent to planting 100 trees, aligning with India’s net-zero goals.
Challenges remain, including issues with inexperienced vendors and improper installations in some areas. UPNEDA is addressing these by enforcing strict vendor empanelment and quality checks. The state’s solar push is also complemented by initiatives like the PM-KUSUM Scheme, providing subsidized solar pumps to over 54,000 farmers in 2024-25. With 2.65 lakh installations targeted for 2025-26, Uttar Pradesh is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s journey toward 40 GW of rooftop solar capacity by 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from government portals, UPNEDA announcements, and posts on X. Data is accurate as of July 2025, but readers are advised to verify details through official channels like pmsuryaghar.gov.in for the latest updates.