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Uttar Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone by exceeding the 1-gigawatt mark in residential rooftop solar installations under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana. This accomplishment makes it the third state in India, following Gujarat and Maharashtra, to reach this noteworthy benchmark.
The state has successfully installed solar systems on approximately 2.90 lakh homes, contributing a total rooftop capacity of 1,003.64 MW. Currently, around 2.93 lakh families are enjoying affordable or free monthly electricity. In the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) alone, Uttar Pradesh added nearly 640 MW of residential rooftop systems, indicating widespread adoption across various districts.
Uttar Pradesh has received over 9.7 lakh applications under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar scheme. The central government has provided ₹1,999 crore in subsidies, while the state has allocated nearly ₹600 crore. Consumers benefit from a subsidy of ₹15,000 per kW for systems up to 2 kW, as well as a total subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh for 3 kW systems. The payback period for a 3-kW installation in UP is remarkably low at just 20 months, compared to the national average of 30 months, and 54 months without subsidies.
The adoption of rooftop solar has resulted in saving nearly 4,000 acres of land by reducing reliance on large solar parks. Households can receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month. Rural homes save between ₹800 to ₹1,500 monthly, while urban homes enjoy savings ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500. This model not only supports agriculture through reliable daytime power but also strengthens small urban enterprises.
Uttar Pradesh has reached a total of 1,003.64 MW in residential rooftop solar capacity. It stands as the third state after Gujarat (1.82 GW) and Maharashtra (1.32 GW) to cross the 1 GW threshold. The subsidy for 3 kW systems totals ₹1.08 lakh, with an impressive payback period of 20 months. Over 9.7 lakh applications have been recorded under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
The rollout of this scheme has led to a remarkable increase in registered vendors, growing from 81 to 4,200. This expansion has generated an estimated 50,000 jobs in technical and service sectors. Uttar Pradesh’s flourishing rooftop solar ecosystem serves as a national model for clean energy adoption, economic empowerment, and grassroots-level energy transition.
Q1. What is the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana?
Answer: The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana is an initiative aimed at promoting residential rooftop solar installations, providing subsidies to households for affordable electricity.
Q2. How much solar capacity has Uttar Pradesh installed?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh has installed a total of 1,003.64 MW of residential rooftop solar capacity, making it the third state to achieve this milestone in India.
Q3. What is the payback period for solar installations in Uttar Pradesh?
Answer: The payback period for a 3 kW solar installation in Uttar Pradesh is approximately 20 months, which is significantly lower than the national average.
Q4. How many applications have been received under the solar scheme?
Answer: Over 9.7 lakh applications have been submitted under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar scheme in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting strong public interest.
Q5. What are the economic benefits of rooftop solar in UP?
Answer: Rooftop solar installations in UP have led to significant savings on electricity bills and job creation, boosting local economies and supporting small businesses.
Question 1: What is the total solar capacity achieved by Uttar Pradesh?
A) 500 MW
B) 1,003.64 MW
C) 2,000 MW
D) 640 MW
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How long is the payback period for a 3 kW solar system in UP?
A) 30 months
B) 54 months
C) 20 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: C
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