BHUBANESWAR: Odisha has emerged as one of the country’s leading performers in rooftop solar energy adoption, securing top honours at the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Awards instituted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The recognition came for the state’s outstanding performance during the “Month of Solar” campaign conducted in May 2026 under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Odisha registered a clean sweep in major award categories, securing first place for maximum consumer applications, first place for maximum solar installations, and first place for maximum DISCOM inspections. The state also secured third place for maximum vendor registrations, underscoring its rapid progress in expanding rooftop solar infrastructure.
The awards were presented by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, and other MNRE officials. The honours were received by Energy Department Additional Secretary Saidutta Biplab Keshari Pradhan, along with officers from the state’s power distribution companies.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo hailed the achievement, attributing it to strong coordination among departments and the efforts of field-level officials across the state.
“Odisha is setting a shining example for the entire country in solar energy adoption. This recognition reinforces our commitment to environment-friendly development and lays the foundation for a self-reliant, energy-secure Odisha,” Singh Deo said.
The state government said its performance has been driven by policy support and dedicated budgetary allocations for rooftop solar projects. Officials also highlighted the Utility-Led Aggregation model, which has helped reduce entry barriers for residential consumers and enabled thousands of households to benefit from rooftop solar installations.
As part of its clean energy roadmap, Odisha aims to bring three lakh families under the rooftop solar programme by 2027. The state is also focusing on expanding infrastructure, strengthening vendor networks, and ensuring transparent inspection mechanisms to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
The latest recognition positions Odisha among the frontrunners in India’s renewable energy mission and highlights the state’s growing role in advancing sustainable and energy-secure development.
