Uttar Pradesh’s ambitious solar mission, under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, offers free rooftop solar panels with subsidies up to ₹78,000 for eligible households. Aiming to solarize 1 crore homes, the scheme promotes clean energy, reduces electricity bills, and supports sustainability. Over 1 crore households have registered, with UP leading in decentralized solar adoption.
Uttar Pradesh Leads India’s Rooftop Solar Revolution
Uttar Pradesh is making significant strides in India’s renewable energy landscape through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a central government initiative launched on February 15, 2024, to install rooftop solar panels in 1 crore households nationwide. The scheme, backed by a ₹75,021 crore allocation, provides subsidies of up to ₹78,000, covering 60% of costs for systems up to 2 kW and 40% for systems between 2-3 kW, capped at 3 kW. In UP, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) is spearheading the program, targeting 4,300 MW of decentralized solar capacity by 2026.
Eligible households in UP, requiring a valid electricity connection and a suitable roof, can register on the National Portal for Rooftop Solar (pmsuryaghar.gov.in). The portal streamlines the process by offering vendor selection, system size recommendations, and subsidy tracking. As of July 28, 2025, over 1 crore households have registered nationwide, with UP emerging as a key contributor despite being listed as an underperformer in rooftop solar capacity compared to states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The scheme enables households to generate up to 300 units of free electricity monthly, slashing bills and allowing surplus power to be sold to distribution companies (DISCOMs). This could save low and middle-income families up to ₹18,000 crore annually. Net metering ensures excess energy is fed into the grid, enhancing financial returns. For instance, a 3 kW system, costing around ₹1.92 lakh to ₹2.63 lakh without subsidy, becomes affordable with the ₹78,000 subsidy, offering a payback period of 3-7 years.
UP’s push aligns with India’s broader renewable energy goals, aiming for 100 GW of solar capacity by 2030, including 40 GW from rooftop systems. As of March 2024, India’s rooftop solar capacity stood at 11.87 GW, with a 2.99 GW increase in 2023-2024. The state’s efforts are bolstered by technological advancements, such as efficient photovoltaic panels and energy storage solutions, making solar systems viable even in cloudy conditions, though with reduced efficiency.
Challenges remain, including bureaucratic delays and limited awareness in rural areas. UPNEDA is addressing this through grassroots campaigns and training programs like Suryamitra, which has trained over 51,000 solar technicians nationwide by 2022. The scheme also supports job creation in installation and maintenance, boosting UP’s rural economy.
Banks like Indian Bank offer zero-processing-fee loans for solar installations, with a maximum tenure of 10 years and hypothecation of the solar system as collateral. Subsidies are credited directly to bank accounts post-installation, ensuring transparency. UP’s focus on solarizing government buildings and schools further amplifies the scheme’s impact, with plans to expand to 1,000 school rooftops in the state.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government sources, including the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, UPNEDA, and recent reports from PIB and other reliable outlets. Data is accurate as of September 2, 2025. Readers are advised to verify eligibility and subsidy details on pmsuryaghar.gov.in before applying.