Varanasi Embraces Green Energy: Over 28,000 Sign Up for ‘Har Ghar Solar’ in Record Time

In a significant push towards renewable energy and sustainable development, Varanasi has emerged as a leading city under the “Har Ghar Solar Yojana,” with registrations for solar rooftop grid systems soaring past initial targets. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024, the scheme has rapidly gained popularity, amassing over 28,000 registrations within just two and a half months, surpassing the goal of 25,000 connections.

The Chief Development Officer of Varanasi, Mr. Himanshu Nagpal, lauded the city’s enthusiastic response to the scheme, positioning it as Uttar Pradesh’s frontrunner in solar energy adoption. With the scheme’s success, the target has been ambitiously adjusted to nearly 72,000 connections under the broader “PM Surya Ghar Yojana” (PM Solar Home Scheme).

To date, approximately 1,045 households in Varanasi are reaping the benefits of solar energy, marking a collective saving of over 4,702,500 units of electricity, which translates into financial savings amounting to ₹31.35 lakhs. This achievement not only underscores the financial benefits for consumers but also highlights the significant environmental impact of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

The “Har Ghar Solar Yojana” offers a subsidy covering up to 40% of the cost for installing solar panels, with the state government providing additional subsidies ranging between ₹45,000 to ₹1,08,000 for systems ranging from 1 kW to 10 kW. This initiative is a part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader strategy to enhance its solar energy capacity and promote clean energy transition across the state.

In line with this vision, Uttar Pradesh is also advancing the development of nearly 20 cities as solar cities, including Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ayodhya. These efforts aim to ensure wider accessibility to solar energy, fostering individual savings and environmental conservation, while steering the state towards a sustainable future.

The “Har Ghar Solar Yojana” represents a significant milestone in Uttar Pradesh’s journey towards clean energy adoption, setting a benchmark for other states to follow. With plans in place to meet the next target within the coming three to four months, Varanasi’s successful model offers a promising path for sustainable urban development.