Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a frontrunner in rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and Varanasi claimed 10th position, while Lucknow is at the top nationwide.The city is now carving out a new identity in the field of green energy with rooftop solar panel installation, surpassing several major metros. A total of 39,018 rooftop solar plants have been installed in Varanasi so far.Chief development officer Prakhar Kumar Singh said a total of 62,964 applications were received under the scheme, of which approximately 39,018 installations have been completed, including all related schemes. A capacity of approximately 1,32,096.31 KWs has been installed in the district so far, placing Varanasi among leading districts of the state in green energy. Varanasi has been ranked 2nd in the state consistently after Lucknow for several months.Pradhanmantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is emerging a powerful medium of development, savings, employment and environmental conservation in Varanasi. The far-sighted policy of Modi-Yogi and state govt have effectively implemented this scheme on the ground, making it a successful public welfare initiative.UPNEDA senior project officer Shashi Gupta said that under the scheme, a subsidy amount of Rs 251.49 crore has been distributed to approximately 33,332 consumers so far. With solar panels installed on rooftops, electricity bills have reduced significantly and many families are availing the benefit of nearly free electricity. He said solar plants installed in Varanasi are generating approximately 6,60,482 units electricity per day, resulting in daily savings of approximately Rs 39.6 lakh. The savings amount to approximately Rs 144.65 crore annually.This scheme is not limited to economic benefits alone, it is also playing a major role in environmental conservation and is expected to reduce approximately 1.58 lakh metric tonnes of annual carbon dioxide emissions helping make Varanasi a clean, green and pollution-free. Additionally, the scheme has benefited in conserving approximately 660 acres agricultural land, as the rooftop solar model has reduced need for additional land for energy production, thus keeping farmers’ land free.The scheme has also created new possibilities in the field of employment. A total of 310 vendors are active in the district, while approximately 30,000 people are receiving direct employment and 3 lakh people are receiving indirect employment. Thousands of youth associated with solar equipment, installation, maintenance, transportation and technical services have found employment.
