Uttar Pradesh on the path to a solar revolution, ranks first in the country

Uttar Pradesh has achieved a historic milestone by securing first place in the country under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

The state has surpassed Gujarat and Maharashtra in cumulative rooftop solar installations, establishing its position at the top of the national rankings.

Speaking at a meeting here on Saturday, UP NEDA Director Ravinder Kumar said that, as of November 5, 2026, a total of 953,201 rooftop solar plants had been installed in Uttar Pradesh. In October 2026, the state also ranked first in the country, with more than 75,031 installations.

This achievement reflects growing public confidence in solar energy, effective government policies and the coordinated efforts of UPNEDA, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, all power distribution companies, banking institutions and solar vendors.

Solar energy is reaching households across the state with subsidies exceeding ₹8,450 crore from the Central and state governments. A key factor behind the scheme's success has been the extensive financial support provided by both governments.

Together, they have extended subsidies worth more than ₹8,454.5 crore, including over ₹6,254.5 crore from the Central Government and more than ₹2,200 crore from the Uttar Pradesh Government.

The Central Government's financial assistance, coupled with the additional state subsidy, has made rooftop solar systems more affordable for ordinary households. This has helped consumers save on electricity bills, achieve greater energy self-sufficiency and contribute to the expansion of clean energy.

The 3,167.57 MW of rooftop solar capacity installed in the state is estimated to generate approximately 14.2 million units of clean electricity every day.

At an assumed electricity rate of ₹6.50 per unit, this generation has an estimated economic value of around ₹92.6 million per day, or approximately ₹3,380 crore annually. This reduces dependence on conventional electricity, provides economic benefits to consumers and helps protect the environment through the use of clean energy.

One of the biggest advantages of rooftop solar is that electricity is generated on the rooftops of homes, reducing the need to develop large-scale solar parks. Based on Uttar Pradesh's installed rooftop solar capacity of 3,167.57 MW, a ground-mounted solar plant of equivalent capacity would require approximately 12,670 acres of land.

Rooftop solar therefore helps avoid the need for such large-scale land use, reducing pressure on agricultural land and natural resources. In addition, clean electricity generated through rooftop solar is making a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions associated with conventional grid electricity. The current installed capacity is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 3.5 million metric tonnes annually.

The PM Surya Ghar Yojana has also created new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the state. More than 8,700 state-listed solar vendors are operating in Uttar Pradesh, and the sector has generated over 100,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Business activity is growing rapidly across sectors such as solar modules, inverters, batteries, mounting structures, electrical equipment, installation, logistics, warehousing, distribution and maintenance. The entire value chain is estimated to generate business opportunities worth approximately ₹45-50 crore per day in the state.

Uttar Pradesh's geographical location and rapidly developing expressway network have the potential to make it an important manufacturing and logistics hub for northern, central and eastern India.

The Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Gorakhpur Link Expressway and Ganga Expressway are improving connectivity to various industrial and commercial centres across the state.

The success of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has made it clear that rooftop solar is not merely a means of reducing electricity bills; it can also become a key pillar of industrial development, job creation, local entrepreneurship, investment attraction and energy self-sufficiency.

Uttar Pradesh is not only the country's leading state in rooftop solar installations but is also poised to emerge as a major hub for India's growing green-energy economy, encompassing manufacturing, investment, employment and energy entrepreneurship.