Chhattisgarh targets 5 lakh solar-powered homes by March 2027; government pushes clean energy, women entrepreneurship and solar irrigation
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has urged people across the state to embrace solar energy, highlighting the Sun as an abundant, clean and renewable source of power.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of a two-day dialogue organised by the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, the Chief Minister said that people could use as much energy from the Sun as possible without harming the natural resource or causing pollution.
He also emphasised the importance of conserving coal for future generations while increasing the use of renewable energy.
Solar energy to become a key pillar of Chhattisgarh’s energy strategy
Chief Minister Sai said Chhattisgarh is moving rapidly towards becoming a leading state in the field of solar energy. The state has significant potential for renewable energy and is working towards strengthening both energy self-reliance and environmental protection.
The state government has set a target of installing solar panels in 5 lakh households by March 2027.
The initiative is also aligned with India’s broader clean-energy goals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Industry, banks and women’s groups come together
The two-day dialogue brought together various stakeholders from the solar-energy ecosystem, including solar companies, vendors, banking institutions, women’s self-help groups and other industry representatives.
The Chief Minister said such a platform provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss their experiences, challenges and suggestions and could give fresh momentum to the expansion of solar energy in Chhattisgarh.
The growing solar ecosystem is no longer limited to rooftop panels. It is increasingly creating opportunities in energy generation, employment, entrepreneurship, banking and women-led businesses.
State already produces around 30,000 MW of electricity
Sai said energy is a fundamental requirement for economic and social development. Chhattisgarh already has a strong position in the power sector and currently produces around 30,000 MW of electricity.
He said MoUs worth approximately Rs 3.5 lakh crore have been signed in the energy sector. These investments could potentially create an additional electricity-generation capacity of around 30,000 MW in the coming years.
The state government aims to establish Chhattisgarh among the country’s leading energy-producing states while simultaneously increasing the share of green energy.
4,000 MW green-energy target
The Chief Minister said the Centre is focusing on increasing the use of solar and other forms of green energy, and Chhattisgarh will also contribute significantly to the national clean-energy mission.
The state has set a target of developing around 4,000 MW of green-energy generation capacity in the coming period.
Sai stressed that greater use of renewable energy could reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help conserve natural resources for future generations.
5 lakh homes targeted under rooftop solar push
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is playing an important role in expanding rooftop solar installations among households.
According to the Chief Minister, around 95,000 homes in Chhattisgarh have already installed solar panels under the programme.
The government now aims to take this number to 5 lakh households by March 2027.
The initiative is also intended to transform ordinary electricity consumers into energy producers by allowing households to generate electricity from their rooftops.
Subsidy support for households
The Chief Minister highlighted the financial assistance available for residential solar installations.
According to the details shared at the event:
- A 1 kW solar plant receives a central subsidy of Rs 30,000 and a state subsidy of Rs 15,000.
- For a 3 kW solar plant, total subsidy support is around Rs 1.08 lakh.
- In areas covered by the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), provisions have also been made to meet the differential subsidy amount through DMF resources.
The government hopes such financial support will make rooftop solar more accessible to ordinary households.
Solar energy creating new opportunities for women
Solar energy is also emerging as a new source of employment and entrepreneurship for women in Chhattisgarh.
Women associated with self-help groups are increasingly working as solar vendors and visiting beneficiaries’ homes to install solar systems.
The Chief Minister interacted with women vendors during the programme and appreciated their participation in the growing renewable-energy sector.
Chhattisgarh has around 2.82 lakh self-help groups with more than 30 lakh women associated with them, while over 13 lakh women have reportedly become Lakhpati Didis.
The government is now seeking to connect women with emerging sectors such as solar energy to create additional opportunities for income generation and self-employment.
Solar power expanding into agriculture
Rajya Sabha MP Brijmohan Agrawal highlighted the potential of solar energy in agriculture and irrigation.
He said the Sun provides an almost unlimited source of energy and that greater use of solar power in households, agriculture and other sectors could reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.
According to him, around 2.5 lakh irrigation pumps in Chhattisgarh have already been solarised.
Further expansion of solar-powered irrigation could help reduce energy costs while providing farmers with long-term benefits.
Solar energy could give Chhattisgarh a new identity
MLA Purandar Mishra said a strong foundation for solar-energy development has already been established in the state and that the sector is receiving fresh momentum under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
He appealed to citizens to make maximum use of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and encourage their families and acquaintances to adopt rooftop solar.
Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association president Santosh Mishra said the dialogue programme had emerged as an effective platform for sharing new ideas, opportunities and commitments related to solar energy.
He said bringing industries, vendors, financial institutions and women’s self-help groups together could create new opportunities for investment, employment and entrepreneurship.
Solar-sector institutions honoured
During the event, Chief Minister Sai visited stalls set up by solar companies at the auditorium and reviewed solar panels, equipment, emerging technologies and facilities being provided to beneficiaries.
Institutions, banks and individuals delivering outstanding services in the solar-energy sector were also honoured.
The Chief Minister also released the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association directory, which contains contact details of association office-bearers and vendors from across the state, along with useful information about government energy schemes.
From coal-based power to a cleaner energy future
Chhattisgarh has traditionally been one of India’s important energy-producing states, with abundant coal resources and a strong electricity-generation base. The state’s next phase of energy development, however, is increasingly expected to include solar and other forms of green energy.
The Chief Minister’s message is simple: the Sun’s energy is abundant, clean and renewable, while coal is a finite resource that should be conserved for future generations.
With a target of 5 lakh solar-powered households by March 2027, a planned 4,000 MW green-energy capacity, growing solar irrigation and increasing participation of women in the solar ecosystem, Chhattisgarh is seeking to build an energy model that combines clean power, lower dependence on fossil fuels, employment generation and greater energy self-reliance.
