4,727 Solar Plants Installed Against Target of 8,256 Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme; MSMEs and Institutions to Be Encouraged to Adopt Solar Power
Sonbhadra: Uttar Pradesh’s major energy-producing district, Sonbhadra, is preparing to strengthen its position in the renewable energy sector, with a renewed push towards rooftop solar installations and wider adoption of clean energy.
The district administration, banking institutions and industrial representatives are working together to expand the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and encourage households, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and educational institutions to shift towards solar power.
An awareness and consultation programme was organised at Vikas Bhawan on Thursday by the Uttar Pradesh State Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Firstview, in association with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).
Chief Development Officer Jagriti Awasthi, who attended as the chief guest, said Sonbhadra had made a substantial contribution to meeting Uttar Pradesh’s energy requirements. She said the district should now take a leading role in clean energy generation by encouraging families, entrepreneurs and institutions to adopt rooftop solar systems.
She pointed out that rooftop solar could help consumers reduce electricity expenses while supporting energy self-reliance and environmental protection. She directed government departments, banks and solar vendors to coordinate closely and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive assistance at every stage, from registration and financing to installation.
According to officials, 4,727 rooftop solar plants have been installed in Sonbhadra so far against the district’s target of 8,256 under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
District Development Officer Hemant Singh said the district’s vast geographical spread made it necessary to strengthen awareness campaigns in remote villages and blocks. He called for greater outreach to ensure that rural households were also able to benefit from the scheme.
A.K. Chaudhary, General Manager of the District Industries Centre, highlighted the potential of rooftop solar for MSMEs. He said solar installations could lower industrial electricity costs, improve business competitiveness and generate employment opportunities for local youth in installation, maintenance and technical services.
Saman Bahe, Lead District Manager of Indian Bank, said banks were prepared to extend financial assistance to eligible applicants. He urged beneficiaries to keep the required documents ready and approach their respective bank branches to explore financing options.
UPNEDA Project Officer Chandrashekhar explained the scheme’s implementation process and the assistance available to consumers and vendors. He advised applicants to get their solar systems installed only through registered and empanelled vendors and follow the prescribed procedures.
A presentation on the implementation and opportunities offered by the PM Surya Ghar scheme in Sonbhadra covered eligibility requirements, registration, subsidies, financing and the installation process.
Shailendra Srivastava of the PHDCCI Uttar Pradesh State Chapter said district-level consultations were aimed at bringing consumers, entrepreneurs, government departments, banks and solar industry representatives together. Such interactions, he said, could help resolve practical difficulties and accelerate rooftop solar adoption.
The programme also formed part of the preparations for the Uttar Pradesh Energy Expo (UPEX) 2026, scheduled to be held in Varanasi from December 4 to 6 at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul.
During an interactive session, participants raised questions about subsidy disbursement, bank loans, net metering and installation timelines. Officials and industry representatives responded to their queries and explained the procedures involved.
The upcoming expo will feature discussions and specialised sessions on solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), vendor training under the Suryagurukul initiative, grid modernisation, energy storage, PM-KUSUM, electric mobility and clean energy solutions for MSMEs and institutions.
The event aims to promote investment, technical collaboration, skill development and wider adoption of renewable energy across Uttar Pradesh.
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