Ghaziabad aims for 10 per cent solar energy by 2027

Ghaziabad to be UP's second 'solar city' in four years. Uttar Pradesh plans to transform Ghaziabad into the second 'solar city' in the state, following Ayodhya's example. The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) aims to meet 10 per cent of Ghaziabad's energy needs with solar power within four years.UPNEDA announced this initiative during a workshop on solar and renewable energy. The state government intends to generate 22,000 MW of solar power in Uttar Pradesh by 2027. This project, which began as a pilot in Ayodhya, will now expand to Ghaziabad.As part of the plan, UPNEDA will invest Rs 200 million over five years to install rooftop solar panels in residential, industrial, commercial, and government buildings in Ghaziabad. Solar energy offers a 30 per cent cost advantage over conventional sources, and both the central and state governments provide subsidies to encourage its adoption.For residential areas, the central government offers a subsidy of Rs 14,588 per kilowatt (kW) for solar panels, while the UP government contributes Rs 15,000 per kW, with a maximum cap of Rs 30,000 per kW. These subsidies will be directly transferred to beneficiaries.To simplify installation, 30,000 trained 'Surya Mitras' will assist, and consumers can choose from 351 government-approved vendors. The surplus solar energy can be returned to the main grid, offsetting bills through net metering.The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) will raise awareness about solar energy, and the initiative will later extend to 17 more municipalities in Uttar Pradesh. This project aims to promote sustainability and green energy across the state.