From rooftop adoption to model solar villages, UP’s roadmap blends large-scale infrastructure with household-led renewables.
Big Solar Ambitions: Over 9,000 MW in the Pipeline
Uttar Pradesh is rapidly scaling up its renewable energy footprint with a solar project pipeline exceeding 9,000 megawatts (MW). This includes:
- 6,000 MW of ground-mounted solar power
- 3,410 MW via dedicated solar parks, according to Narendra Bhushan, Additional Chief Secretary for Energy
These projects form a key part of UP’s Solar Energy 2022 programme, which aims to install 22,000 MW of solar capacity across the state.
Solar Parks: Public-Private Joint Ventures in Motion
To execute its solar park plans, the state government—through UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency)—has signed joint ventures with:
- Tusco Ltd
- Bundelkhand Solar Energy Ltd
- Lucknow Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd
These collaborations aim to streamline land acquisition, power evacuation, and investor participation in solar infrastructure development.
Ground-Mounted Progress and Targets
So far, UP has commissioned 2,743 MW of ground-mounted solar projects, with another 6,000 MW currently under development.
This scale of deployment puts UP on track to become one of India’s largest solar power producers, playing a central role in the country’s renewable energy goals.
Rooftop Solar: A Household-Led Movement
Under the Solar Rooftop Scheme, the state has already added 687 MW in the domestic sector, directly benefiting nearly 195,000 households.
- On average, 1,000 homes are being fitted with solar rooftops daily, making UP the top-performing state in India in this category.
- The government is also promoting solar installation in public buildings through:
- Capex model (upfront investment by building owner)
- RESCO model, where the consumer pays only for electricity usage
Model Solar Cities and Villages
To decentralise solar adoption further:
- One village per district will be developed as a Model Solar Village
- 17 municipal corporations, including Lucknow and Ayodhya, are being developed as Model Solar Cities
- Notably, 10% of Ayodhya’s electricity demand is already met through solar energy
This approach blends urban innovation with rural transformation, driving inclusive green growth.
Floating Solar and Bioenergy Add Diversity
Beyond conventional solar, UP is:
- Exploring floating solar-power plants, ideal for reservoirs and water bodies
- Pushing forward with compressed biogas (CBG) projects under the Bioenergy Policy 2022
- UP now leads India with CBG plants generating 230 tonnes/day, supporting waste-to-energy goals
Why It Matters
Uttar Pradesh’s green energy strategy isn’t just about megawatts—it’s about creating an ecosystem:
- Enabling public-private collaboration
- Empowering households and rural areas
- Diversifying energy sources with bioenergy and floating solar
- Building future-ready solar infrastructure for cities and villages alike
