Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): A growing number of households in Odisha are moving towards clean and self-reliant energy use, with nearly 11,000 consumers in western Odisha reporting zero electricity bills in March 2026 after adopting rooftop solar systems, officials said.
The development comes under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which promotes installation of rooftop solar panels in residential households to reduce dependence on grid electricity and lower monthly power costs.
According to officials, a total of 18,830 consumers in western Odisha had installed rooftop solar systems as of March 2026, reflecting a steady rise in adoption of renewable energy solutions across the region.
The initiative is increasingly being seen as a major step toward sustainable and decentralised energy generation, allowing households to generate their own electricity and, in many cases, eliminate monthly power bills entirely.
Shift Towards Energy Self-Reliance
Power sector officials said the scheme is encouraging greater awareness about renewable energy, especially in semi-urban and rural areas where sunlight availability is high and rooftop installation is feasible.
Apart from reducing electricity expenses, the adoption of solar systems is also helping reduce pressure on conventional power grids and supporting India’s broader clean energy transition goals.
Experts noted that rooftop solar adoption is expected to grow further as installation costs reduce, subsidies continue, and financing options become more accessible for households.
The government has been promoting the scheme to expand solar penetration at the household level, with an emphasis on long-term energy savings, environmental benefits, and energy security.
Officials added that the trend in western Odisha highlights the potential for large-scale adoption of rooftop solar systems across the state, contributing to greener and more resilient energy infrastructure in the coming years.
