* Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, 4,727 solar plants have been installed in Sonbhadra against a target of 8,256
* Preparations for the Varanasi edition of 'UP Energy Expo 2026' gain momentum; focus placed on integrating MSMEs and institutions—alongside households—into solar energy adoption
TIL Desk Sonbhadra:ЁЯСЙ Sonbhadra, which plays a pivotal role in meeting the state's energy requirements, is now moving toward establishing a new identity in the realm of clean and renewable energy. To facilitate the widespread expansion of rooftop solar, ensure the effective implementation of the 'Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' (PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme), and integrate MSMEs and institutions—in addition to residential consumers—into solar energy adoption, the local administration, the banking sector, and the industrial community have collaborated to devise a concrete action plan.
To this end, an awareness and consultative program was held on Thursday at the Vikas Bhawan in Sonbhadra. The event was organized by the Uttar Pradesh State Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and 'Firstview,' in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).
The chief guest, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Jagriti Awasthi (IAS), noted that Sonbhadra has long made a significant contribution to fulfilling the state's energy needs. She emphasized that it is now time to integrate local families, entrepreneurs, and institutions into clean energy production. She highlighted that rooftop solar is not merely a means to reduce electricity costs, but also a crucial step toward energy self-reliance and environmental conservation. She directed the relevant departments, banks, and solar vendors to work in coordination and provide timely support to eligible beneficiaries—from the application process through to the final installation of the solar plants. She further shared that, under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, 4,727 solar plants have been installed in the district so far, against a target of 8,256. District Development Officer Hemant Singh stated that Sonbhadra has a vast geographical area. Given this, ensuring that information about the scheme reaches remote blocks and rural areas must be a priority. He emphasized conducting awareness campaigns at the village and block levels to bring as many families as possible under the ambit of the scheme.
A.K. Chaudhary, General Manager of the District Industries Centre, highlighted that rooftop solar is economically beneficial for the MSME sector, as it reduces electricity costs for industries and enhances their competitiveness. Furthermore, it will create new employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth in areas such as solar panel installation, maintenance, and technical services.
Saman Bahe, Lead District Manager (LDM) from Indian Bank, affirmed that banks are committed to providing financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries. He stressed that a lack of financial resources should not hinder any eligible family from adopting clean energy. He urged beneficiaries to keep the necessary documents ready and to contact their respective bank branches.
Chandrashekhar, a Project Officer at UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency), explained the scheme’s procedures, noting that the agency provides essential guidance to both consumers and vendors—from the initial registration process to the final installation of the solar plant. He advised consumers to ensure that solar plants are installed exclusively through registered and empanelled vendors, and to strictly follow the prescribed procedures.
A special presentation titled "PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Implementation and Opportunities in the District" was delivered during the event. It provided detailed information on eligibility criteria, the application process, the subsidy structure, and the various stages involved in setting up a solar plant.
Speaking about the conference, Shailendra Srivastava of the PHDCCI UP State Chapter explained that the objective of such district-level events is to bring ordinary families, small-scale entrepreneurs, the administration, banks, and the solar industry onto a common platform. This facilitates the resolution of practical challenges that may arise during the implementation of the scheme. He added that the expansion of rooftop solar in an energy-producing district like Sonbhadra could provide fresh momentum to the state’s transition toward clean energy. This event also serves as an important part of the preparations for the Uttar Pradesh Energy Expo (UPEX) 2026, to be held in Varanasi.
During an open discussion at the event, participants raised questions regarding subsidy distribution, bank financing, net metering, and the timelines for solar plant installation. Officials and industry representatives addressed these concerns and shared essential information for the effective implementation of the schemes.
According to the organizers, the Varanasi edition of the Uttar Pradesh Energy Expo (UPEX) 2026 will be held from December 4 to 6, 2026, at the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul in Varanasi. The expo will feature dedicated sessions on topics such as solar EPC, vendor training under the 'Suryagurukul' initiative, grid modernization and energy storage, the PM-KUSUM scheme, electric mobility, and clean energy solutions for MSMEs and various institutions. The objective is to foster technical innovation, investment, skill development, and collaboration among industries, alongside the expansion of renewable energy across the state.
