SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has completed 46,133 residential rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, achieving 55.24 per cent of its target of 83,500 installations by March 31, 2027, a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo was informed on Wednesday.
The progress is higher than the national achievement of 50.80 per cent, but the administration has identified bank financing, uneven vendor availability, metering and delays in execution of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) as key impediments to faster implementation.
Reviewing the programme, Dulloo directed the Power Development Department (PDD) and implementing agencies to remove these bottlenecks and ensure that eligible consumers and government departments are able to commission solar systems without avoidable delays.
The Chief Secretary specifically directed the Discoms to examine all rejected rooftop solar loan applications with the concerned banks, establish the reasons for rejection and resolve eligible cases promptly. The meeting was informed that around 75 per cent of rooftop installations in Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) areas depend on bank financing.
Of 61,566 loan applications submitted, 17,416 have been rejected, including 14,232 in KPDCL areas. A total of 38,773 cases have been sanctioned and disbursed, while 5,367 applications remain under process.
Dulloo also ordered proportionate deployment of vendors across districts to improve their availability and accelerate installations. He sought district-wise assessments from Deputy Commissioners on progress, targets and obstacles, directing coordinated intervention by the agencies concerned to address the gaps.
According to Additional Chief Secretary, PDD, Ashwani Kumar, the 46,133 residential installations comprise 17,809 systems in Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) areas, with an installed capacity of 62.69 MW, and 28,324 systems in KPDCL areas, with a capacity of 102.55 MW.
The cumulative rooftop solar capacity installed across J&K has consequently reached 165.24 MW.
The meeting was informed that 89,680 applications have been received against the target of 83,500. Of these, 82,591 applicants have selected vendors, 69,460 consumer agreements have been uploaded and 42,686 rooftop systems have been commissioned.
Central subsidies amounting to Rs 344.14 crore and UT subsidies of Rs 13 crore have so far been credited to beneficiaries.
Government buildings
The review also covered solarisation of government buildings under both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and renewable energy service company (RESCO) models.
Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Babila Rakwal said 8,850 government buildings had been solarised against a CAPEX target of 12,994 buildings, with a combined installed capacity of 95.64 MW.
Of these, 4,793 buildings with a capacity of 41.50 MW have been covered under PM Surya Ghar and hybrid projects, while another 4,057 buildings, having a combined capacity of 54.14 MW, have been solarised under the ongoing programme.
Work on the remaining buildings is at different stages. Materials have been supplied to 1,300 buildings, implementation is under way at 943 sites and surveys are being conducted for a further 1,901 buildings.
Under the RESCO model, J&K Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) has proposed solarisation of 8,000 government buildings with an aggregate capacity of 152 MW. Work orders have already been issued for 5,185 buildings.
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has separately proposed solarisation of 1,500 government buildings with a total capacity of 23 MW under the RESCO arrangement.
A PPA for 8 MW has been signed for the Health and Medical Education Department in Jammu, while surveys for solarisation of School Education Department buildings in Jammu are under way.
Dulloo directed JAKEDA to coordinate installation of meters with the respective Discoms alongside the installation of rooftop systems so that metering does not delay their commissioning.
He also directed the PDD to install smart meters at government buildings where rooftop systems have already been installed, enabling their early commissioning and operation.
The Chief Secretary further called for expeditious completion of pending PPAs, stressing that administrative procedures must progress alongside physical project execution.
Dulloo also asked JAKEDA to intensify work under the RESCO model, noting that progress under the component remained slow. He called for closer monitoring, timely resolution of implementation issues and stronger coordination among departments to ensure that the growing number of rooftop solar projects are converted into operational assets within the prescribed timelines.
