Gautam Budh Nagar has commissioned its first rooftop solar project in a high-rise residential society under the Centre's PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with a 500 kilowatt peak (kWp) grid-connected solar plant becoming operational at Arihant Arden Apartment Owners Association in Greater Noida West. Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) facilitated the installation and provided technical guidance and regulatory clearances. The society received Rs eight million (mn) as Central Financial Assistance within 30 days of commissioning approval.

The plant is designed to meet a substantial portion of the society's common area electricity demand, including lifts, corridor lighting, water pumping systems and club facilities, reducing reliance on conventional supply. The project is expected to benefit 1,519 apartment owners by lowering shared electricity bills. Under normal operating conditions the 500 kWp plant is expected to generate around zero point six mn to zero point seven five mn units annually, producing estimated savings of Rs four mn to Rs four point five mn every year.

Officials calculated the project will trim carbon dioxide emissions by 550-650 t annually, reinforcing the environmental rationale for community-scale renewable adoption. NPCL coordinated grid synchronisation and ensured compliance with technical standards and regulatory requirements while facilitating approvals. The installation has been described as a pioneering model for high-rise societies in the district and several other residential complexes in Greater Noida have begun similar processes, including Purvanchal Heights, Black Gold, Stellar MI Legacy and Rail Vihar.

The initiative is intended to set a benchmark across Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR and other urban centres for the technical feasibility and financial viability of rooftop solar on large residential blocks. Officials indicated that demonstration of cost savings and streamlined approval processes under the PM Surya Ghar programme should encourage wider uptake and support India’s renewable energy transition.