Bhubaneswar: Odisha is rapidly strengthening its position in India’s renewable energy sector, emerging as one of the country’s fastest-growing markets for rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The state has moved up from 13th to 7th position nationally, reflecting a significant increase in household adoption of rooftop solar power.
According to data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Odisha has recorded around 1.74 lakh rooftop solar installations, while applications under the scheme have crossed 3.12 lakh.
Applications and Installations Rise Sharply
The state has witnessed substantial growth in both applications and completed installations.
Applications have increased from 1,95,513 to 3,12,527, while installations have jumped from 72,538 to 1.74 lakh.
The improvement is also visible in the conversion rate. The proportion of applications that resulted in installations has increased from 37.1% to 53.4%, indicating stronger implementation and growing consumer participation.
The rising adoption comes as households increasingly look towards rooftop solar as a way to generate clean electricity and reduce their dependence on conventional power sources.
State Assistance Adds to Central Subsidy
The growth in Odisha has also been supported by additional financial assistance provided by the state government, apart from the central subsidy available under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
According to Tata Power, which operates four electricity distribution companies in Odisha, eligible residential consumers can receive combined financial assistance of up to Rs 1.38 lakh for a 3 kWp rooftop solar system, subject to applicable government guidelines.
The additional support is expected to make rooftop solar systems more accessible to households and encourage greater participation in the scheme.
Odisha Targets 3 Lakh Installations by 2027
The state government has set an ambitious target of achieving three lakh rooftop solar installations by 2027.
With installations already reaching 1.74 lakh, Odisha has made significant progress towards its target. Continued growth in applications and improving conversion rates could further accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar across residential areas.
Four Discoms Drive Solar Scheme
Implementation of the PM Surya Ghar scheme in Odisha is being led by four distribution companies:
- TPCODL
- TPWODL
- TPNODL
- TPSODL
These distribution companies are responsible for several key aspects of the programme, including net metering, site inspections, commissioning, vendor coordination and consumer awareness initiatives.
Their role is particularly important in ensuring that households completing the application process can move smoothly towards installation and grid connectivity.
Rooftop Solar Capacity Reaches 410 MWp
The rapid increase in installations has also translated into substantial growth in Odisha’s rooftop solar generation capacity.
According to Tata Power, the state has now reached approximately 410 MWp of rooftop solar capacity.
Gajanan Kale, Chief of Odisha Distribution Business at Tata Power, said Odisha’s rise to seventh position nationally and its crossing of the 1.5-lakh installation mark reflected increasing consumer confidence in clean energy.
The growth represents an important step in Odisha’s transition towards renewable energy and distributed power generation.
Clean Energy Push Gains Momentum
The expansion of rooftop solar is expected to provide multiple benefits, including greater use of renewable energy, increased household participation in electricity generation and reduced dependence on conventional sources.
With more than three lakh applications already recorded and the state targeting three lakh installations by 2027, Odisha’s rooftop solar sector is poised for further expansion in the coming years.
The state’s rise from 13th to 7th nationally under the PM Surya Ghar scheme highlights the accelerating pace of solar adoption and strengthens Odisha’s position in India’s clean-energy transition.
