As part of its clean energy goals, the Delhi government is intensifying efforts to expand rooftop solar installations across village areas under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The initiative aims to use the vast roof space in rural Delhi to boost renewable energy generation.
Women Lead Awareness Effort Through ‘Solar Sakhi’ Campaign
In support of this drive, Tata Power has rolled out the Solar Sakhi campaign in north Delhi, training about 100 women as community educators. These “Solar Sakhis” visit villages, explain the benefits of solar energy, and help residents access government subsidies. BSES is running similar outreach programmes across its own service areas.
Subsidies Make Solar Affordable
The PM Surya Ghar scheme offers strong financial incentives, ₹78,000 from the central government and another ₹30,000 from the Delhi government for rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW. The goal is to make solar power both accessible and affordable for households.
Reaching Villages and Building Capacity
According to Tata Power officials, the Solar Sakhi campaign now covers over 75 villages within its distribution zone. So far, Tata Power-DDL has achieved 117 MWp of rooftop solar capacity through more than 6,300 installations, including domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers.
Meanwhile, BSES has activated over 11,100 rooftop solar systems, adding 228 MW of clean energy to Delhi’s grid as of September 2025.
Rural Delhi Joins the Solar Shift
Officials credit much of this growth to the PM Surya Ghar scheme. In BSES areas alone, over 2,500 households have adopted solar panels under the programme, generating more than 20 MW of power. Notably, rural parts of Delhi are catching up fast, with nearly 500 homes already producing solar energy.
Plans for 2025–26 and Beyond
BSES plans to add 52,000 new rooftop solar connections in the next financial year, contributing roughly 61 MW of capacity. About 44,000 of these will fall under the PM Surya Ghar programme.
Expanding Awareness and Community Involvement
To encourage more adoption, BSES is stepping up outreach through awareness camps, Surya Rath roadshows, solar melas, meetings with Resident Welfare Associations, street plays, and door-to-door campaigns. Social media efforts are also being scaled up. The company is developing Model Solar Villages to showcase successful rooftop installations and inspire nearby communities to follow suit.
