Rooftop solar scheme for middle-income families; Central govt launches Rs 2.3 crore project

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Energy announced the launch of a new Startup Innovation Challenge to accelerate the use of rooftop solar panels and renewable energy. The Rs 2.3 crore startup project aims to identify and support ways to use renewable energy.

The project, which will be implemented under the aegis of the Ministry of Power, will be jointly implemented by the National Institute of Solar Energy and the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The Technologies Innovative Projects Startup Challenge on Rooftop Solar (RTS) and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) was launched during a national conference on skill development for renewable energy workers, the statement said.

The startup challenge aims to achieve India's solar energy goal by providing the necessary technologies and facilities. India has crossed a major milestone by crossing 100 GW in national solar power capacity, Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi had earlier announced. The project welcomes innovators to step up with ideas to provide rooftop solar at an affordable cost to middle-income families.

Rs one crore worth of money is waiting for the winners of the project. The best innovators will also get a chance to be under the mentorship of domain experts. The last date of application is August 20, 2025.

Solar energy contributed half of the country's renewable energy in November 2024. It was the government's stern determination in adopting various projects in the renewable energy sector that contributed to this result.