Varanasi Set To Embrace 25,000 Solar Rooftops In Two Months

ADB Approves Support for Rooftop Solar Systems in India

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch an ambitious campaign to install solar rooftops on 25,000 households in Varanasi city. This gigantic initiative for the holy and world’s most ancient city, scheduled to be completed within two months, seeks to promote green and sustainable energy practices in Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The solar rooftop on-grid system, a government-subsidized project, involves installing solar panels on building rooftops to harness sunlight and convert it into electricity, connecting to the main electrical grid.

The initiative follows a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to the Uttar Pradesh state government, urging action in Varanasi. The project, funded through subsidies, is anticipated to cost ₹150 crore from the central government and ₹75 crore from the state government, benefiting 25,000 households investing in solar panels.

The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has devised a comprehensive strategy to achieve the ambitious goal within the stipulated two months, responding to the PMO’s desire. UPNEDA Director Anupam Shukla has confirmed that the project will commence shortly.

Ever since the Modi Government decided to turn Varanasi into India’s First Truly Green City 2017 onwards, a slew of activities have been underway in Varanasi to rejuvenate the city regarding clean energy, a cleaner environment and reduced carbon footprints.

The rooftop solar program has been weak in Uttar Pradesh, just like its total solar energy program. Considering the large geographical expanse hosting one-fifth of the population of India, the state does very meager when it comes to adopting rooftop solar systems. As per the MNRE data on installed capacity State/UT-wise under the Grid connected Solar Rooftop Programme in Uttar Pradesh is a mere 176 MW as of December 2023. This is far less than states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra and even smaller than states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, which have either small sizes or lesser resources.

The new rooftop campaign in Varanasi is now expected to give some uplift to UP’s tally in the national quest for solarisation of rooftops. The Uttar Pradesh government recently launched “Har Ghar Solar Abhiyan” in Varanasi to transform it into a solar city.