The Yogi Adityanath-led government is leveraging eco-friendly solar energy not only to brighten homes but also to enrich lives by fostering widespread employment opportunities. With an ambitious vision to transform Uttar Pradesh—especially underdeveloped regions like Bundelkhand, Vindhya, and their surrounding areas—into a thriving center for solar energy, the state government is taking robust, policy-driven measures to accelerate this green energy movement.
The Uttar Pradesh government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Smart Energy Council of Australia and the Hinduja Group. The state has committed to an ambitious goal: generating 500 gigawatts of solar energy by the year 2030.
As solar energy capacity continues to grow, so too will employment across various sectors—from manufacturing of solar panels to their installation, upkeep, grid synchronization, and power transmission. To prepare a skilled workforce for this expansion, the state has launched the ‘Solar Mitra Yojana.’
When Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assumed office in 2017, solar power generation in Uttar Pradesh stood at a mere 288 megawatts. Since then, it has witnessed a tenfold increase, and the progress continues to gain momentum. According to the Solar Energy Policy 2022, a short-term target of achieving 2,200 megawatts has already been set.
To realize this renewable energy vision, the government plans to develop solar parks in all municipal corporations. Solar grids are to be installed alongside expressways and railway lines, while street lighting systems will increasingly be powered by solar energy. Simultaneously, the government will enhance transmission infrastructure, particularly in regions like Bundelkhand.
Ayodhya is being developed into a model solar city, paying homage to the legacy of Suryavanshi Lord Shri Ram. The transformation doesn’t stop there—Noida and all of the remaining 16 municipal corporations are also being developed in phases as solar cities.
Major solar parks are being planned in districts such as Jhansi, Jalaun, Chitrakoot, Lalitpur, Kanpur City, and Kanpur Dehat. Importantly, the Bundelkhand Expressway is poised to become India’s first solar-powered expressway, representing a major leap in sustainable infrastructure development.
The state is also pushing aggressively for widespread adoption of rooftop solar systems through the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. The installation target for rooftop solar panels in the 2025–26 financial year has been increased to 2.65 lakh units.
To further incentivize adoption, a new policy now makes rooftop solar panels mandatory for buildings with a built-up area greater than 5,000 square meters. If this criterion is not met, building approvals will be canceled. The rooftop installation target for the fiscal year 2026–27 has been raised to 8 lakh units, with generous subsidies being made available. Additionally, many private firms are now offering long-term EMI plans with zero upfront cost, making solar energy accessible for a broader population.
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs and Food, Pralhad Joshi, recently visited Lucknow and praised the state’s dynamic solar energy initiatives. He stated, “Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visionary leadership, Uttar Pradesh is quickly becoming a national role model in meeting the surging demand for clean and renewable energy. The development work being done in Ayodhya and Varanasi stands as a shining example.”