Gujarat shines bright with rooftop solar revolution

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 29 : Gujarat is renowned for its bright sunlight weather, which is now powering thousands of households and businesses across the state, thanks to the burgeoning rooftop solar scheme.
As Gujarat continues its march towards renewable energy, residents and entrepreneurs are reaping the benefits of this eco-friendly initiative.
The boom in rooftop solar installations in Gujarat can be traced to the favourable policies introduced by the government. In 2019, the Gujarat government introduced a solar subsidy scheme - 'Surya Urja Rooftop Yojana-Gujarat,' and since then, the state has witnessed a significant surge in its adoption.
With the central government also offering attractive subsidies and net metering policies, installing solar panels has become increasingly cost-effective. People are able to save on their power bills and also earn money by selling excess electricity generated through the solar panels installed on their rooftops.

Under the system, the amount of electricity generated through solar panels is offset by the amount of energy consumed by a household. Residential consumers can avail of the Central Financial Assistance directly from the newly launched 'National Portal for Rooftop Solar' portal.
Jai Prakash Shivahare, MD of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited said, "At current benchmark prices, a Rs 30,000 subsidy is given for a 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for a 2 kW system, and Rs 78,000 for a 3 kW system or higher. It is a very attractive scheme. The Prime Minister recently announced a new scheme to install solar panels on one crore homes."
The scheme has not only helped individuals save on their electricity bills but has also contributed to a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions.
Many residential societies and commercial establishments have embraced rooftop solar as a sustainable and profitable venture.
Soumil Joshi, a resident in Ahmedabad said, "The biggest benefit is that my electricity bill has come down to zero. All the equipment in my home is solar-powered. I also have an EV car, a TATA, that is also charged with solar energy".
Another resident, Jwalin Desai said, "There are several benefits of solar. First of all, the electricity bill has gone down to zero. And with those savings, we can splurge on travel and eating out, and most importantly do savings. And the lifespan of these solar panels is also up to 25 years and more. So that's a long-term benefit".
The Gujarat government has played a crucial role in promoting rooftop solar by simplifying the installation process, providing technical assistance, and creating awareness about the benefits.
Additionally, several private companies have also emerged as key players in the solar market, offering competitive pricing and reliable services.
The government's schemes, loan incentives, and push for 'Make in India' have also given rise to manufacturing units across Gujarat.
Nirav Patel, Partner, Techno Energy Solutions said, "For this, the biggest credit goes to the government because the government of Gujarat took the first initiative. By giving the promotional offer of subsidy, the government provided incentives. This created awareness amongst the people. And you see, Gujarat is a state of traders. There is trade in everybody's blood. The life of the solar system is 25 years and by investing in a solar system, a person gets a payback in three years, so he will think about it immediately. So that is the reason people took the initiative here."
As Gujarat continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio, the rooftop solar scheme is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the state's clean energy goals.
With increasing awareness and favourable policies, the future looks bright for solar power in the state.