Chhattisgarh will become the leading state in the country in the field of solar energy: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai

Chhattisgarh is rapidly moving towards energy self-sufficiency and a green future with the expansion of solar energy.

The target is to install solar panels in 5 lakh houses in the state by March 2027.

Under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, around 95,000 houses have been illuminated with solar energy so far.

Chhattisgarh aims to produce 4,000 MW of green energy and will contribute significantly to the resolution of carbon neutral India.

Solar energy is becoming a new source of employment and self-employment for women self-help groups.

MoUs worth ₹3.50 lakh crore in the energy sector, approximately 30,000 MW additional generation capacity to be developed

Chief Minister attended the closing ceremony of the two-day ‘Samvad’ programme of Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association.

Chief Minister visits stalls of solar industries, honours organisations, banks and individuals for their outstanding work

Solar energy is the energy of the future and Chhattisgarh is rapidly moving towards becoming the country’s leading state in this field. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, unprecedented work is being done to promote clean and green energy in the country. Chhattisgarh is also strengthening its resolve for energy self-reliance and environmental protection by utilizing its immense potential of solar energy. The target has been set to install solar panels in 5 lakh houses in the state by March 2027. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said this while addressing the closing ceremony of the two-day ‘Samvad’ program organized by Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in the capital Raipur today. 

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that this is the first major event of its kind in the state, bringing together industries, vendors, banking institutions, women’s self-help groups, and other stakeholders involved in the solar energy sector. This meaningful dialogue of experiences and suggestions from various sectors will give new impetus to the expansion of solar energy in Chhattisgarh.

The Chief Minister stated that energy development is a fundamental necessity today. Chhattisgarh already has a strong position in the energy sector, currently producing approximately 30,000 megawatts of electricity. The state has signed MoUs worth approximately ₹3.5 lakh crore in the energy sector, which are expected to develop approximately 30,000 megawatts of additional power generation capacity in the future. He stated that the state government’s goal is to establish Chhattisgarh among the country’s leading states in the energy sector.

Clean energy will secure the future of future generations.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is placing special emphasis on maximizing the use of green energy, including solar power. The sun provides us with a clean, renewable, and abundant source of energy from nature. Widespread use of solar energy will play a vital role in protecting the environment and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

He said that it is our responsibility to preserve natural resources for future generations. Prime Minister Shri Modi has set a goal of making India a net-zero carbon emission nation by 2070. Chhattisgarh will play a vital role in fulfilling this national commitment. The state has set a target of producing 4,000 megawatts of green energy in the coming years.

*Target to connect 5 lakh houses with solar energy by March 2027*

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has given ordinary families the opportunity to become energy producers in addition to energy consumers. The scheme is receiving an encouraging response in Chhattisgarh. So far, solar panels have been installed on the roofs of approximately 95,000 homes in the state, and this number is continuously increasing.

He stated that the goal is to install solar panels in 500,000 homes in the state by March 2027. Solar industries, vendors, banking institutions, and citizens will play a key role in achieving this goal. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their cooperation in the effective implementation of the plan.

The Chief Minister said that for setting up a 1 kilowatt solar plant, the central government provides a subsidy of ₹30,000 and the state government provides a subsidy of ₹15,000. Similarly, a subsidy of approximately ₹1.8 lakh is available for a 3 kilowatt plant. In DMF-covered areas, a provision has also been made to provide the difference in the subsidy from the DMF. This will make it easier for more families to adopt solar energy.

Solar energy empowers women financially

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the expansion of solar energy is not limited to electricity production, but is also creating new employment and self-employment opportunities. Sisters from women’s self-help groups in the state are now stepping forward as solar vendors and installing solar plants in beneficiaries’ homes.

During the program, the Chief Minister interacted with women vendors. They explained that they were personally visiting beneficiaries’ homes to install solar panels. Praising their work, the Chief Minister said this was an inspiring picture of a changing and self-reliant Chhattisgarh.

The Chief Minister said that more than 3 million women are associated with 282,000 self-help groups in the state, and more than 1.3 million women have become Lakhpati Didis. Our mothers and sisters are full of talent and entrepreneurship. By connecting them with new sectors like solar energy, new opportunities for employment, self-employment, and income growth are being created.

The Chief Minister said that the “Samvad” program has lived up to its name. Bringing together various stakeholders in the solar energy sector to share experiences and discuss future possibilities will undoubtedly provide a new direction to the sector’s development in the state.

Addressing the event, MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal said that nature has given us an infinite source of energy in the form of the sun. Dependence on traditional energy sources can be reduced by maximizing solar energy in homes, agriculture, and other sectors. Excessive use of fossil fuels like coal increases pollution, so moving towards clean energy is the need of the hour. He said that solar energy is also being widely used in the irrigation sector in Chhattisgarh, and approximately 250,000 irrigation pumps have been powered by solar energy. In the future, the use of solar energy in agriculture and irrigation should be further expanded. This will reduce energy expenditure and provide long-term benefits to farmers.
He said that with the pace at which the state is progressing under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, Chhattisgarh will establish its unique identity in the field of solar energy as well.

MLA Shri Purandar Mishra said that a strong foundation has been laid for the development of solar energy in Chhattisgarh and now, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, it is gaining new momentum. He urged citizens to take maximum advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and encourage their families and acquaintances to adopt solar energy.

Mr. Santosh Mishra, President of the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association, stated that the “Samvad” program has become an effective platform for sharing new ideas, possibilities, and resolutions in the field of solar energy. The state holds immense potential in the field of green and renewable energy. Bringing together industries, vendors, financial institutions, and women’s self-help groups will foster new investment, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities in this sector. He stated that with the commitment of “Every Home Solar, Every Home Energy Self-Reliant,” Chhattisgarh will move forward toward becoming a leader in the field of solar energy.

*Chief Minister visited the stalls of solar industries*

Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai visited various stalls set up by solar industries in the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium complex. He inquired about solar panels, equipment, new technologies, and the facilities being provided to beneficiaries and honored institutions, banks, and individuals providing outstanding services in the field of solar energy.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released the directory of the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association. The directory contains useful information on the government’s energy-related schemes, along with contact details of association officials and vendors across the state.

On this occasion, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Bhim Singh Kanwar, officials of Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association, industrialists and vendors associated with the solar energy sector, bank officials, members of women self-help groups and a large number of citizens were present.