Jammu and Kashmir has achieved a significant milestone in its renewable energy drive, successfully installing rooftop solar systems on 55.24 percent of its target under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Officials confirmed on Wednesday that 46,133 residential rooftops have been equipped with solar panels, moving closer to the Union Territory’s ambitious goal of 83,500 installations by March 31, 2027. This progress outpaces the national average, which stands at 50.80 percent, indicating a robust implementation of the scheme within the region.
The progress was thoroughly reviewed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo during a meeting held on Wednesday. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the initiative is gaining momentum, with substantial capacity being added to the region’s power grid through decentralized solar generation. Mehmood Ahmad Shah, the Managing Director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), provided a detailed breakdown of the installations. He reported that areas falling under the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) have seen 17,809 rooftop solar installations completed, contributing a capacity of 62.69 megawatts (MW). In parallel, the KPDCL areas have registered 28,324 installations, adding a considerable 102.55 MW to the total capacity. Cumulatively, Jammu and Kashmir has now reached an installed rooftop solar capacity of 165.24 MW, a testament to the concerted efforts in promoting solar energy adoption among residents.
The financial mechanisms supporting this transition have also seen substantial disbursement. To date, beneficiaries have received a total of Rs 344.14 crore in central subsidies, complemented by Rs 13 crore in Union Territory subsidies. These financial incentives are crucial in making rooftop solar installations more accessible and affordable for households. Despite the target of 83,500 installations, the administration has garnered a strong response, receiving 89,680 applications. Of these, a significant portion, 82,591 applicants, have proceeded to select vendors. The process further advanced with 69,460 consumer agreements uploaded and 42,686 rooftop systems successfully commissioned, demonstrating a streamlined application-to-installation pipeline.
A notable aspect of the implementation, particularly in KPDCL areas, is the reliance on bank financing for a substantial portion of the rooftop solar installations, accounting for approximately 75 percent. This highlights the role of financial institutions in facilitating the scheme’s reach. The process involved submitting 61,566 loan applications, out of which 17,416 were unfortunately rejected, with a majority of these rejections, 14,232, occurring within KPDCL areas. Nevertheless, the scheme has seen considerable success in loan processing, with 38,773 cases sanctioned and disbursed, while an additional 5,367 loan applications are currently under review, indicating ongoing financial support for the program.
Beyond residential installations, the initiative also encompasses the solarisation of government buildings. The target for this segment is to solarise 12,994 government buildings. To date, 8,850 of these buildings have been equipped with solar power systems, collectively generating a capacity of 95.64 MW. Within this governmental solarisation effort, 4,793 buildings have been covered under the PM Surya Ghar scheme and hybrid projects, contributing 41.50 MW. An additional 4,057 buildings have been solarised through the ongoing program, adding 54.14 MW. The remaining projects are in various stages of development, with materials delivered to 1,300 buildings, ongoing work at 943 sites, and surveys underway for another 1,901 buildings, ensuring continuous progress in public infrastructure solarisation.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.