J&K Installs 22.5 MW of Rooftop Solar Across 6,121 Buildings

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing rapid adoption of rooftop solar energy, with over 6,100 buildings across the Union Territory now powered by clean energy. As of the latest update, a cumulative 22.51 MW of Solar Rooftop Systems (SRTs) has been commissioned, marking a significant milestone under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSMBY).

Choudhary Yasin, Managing Director of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), confirmed that 6,121 SRTs have been installed across the UT. 

Public participation has been strong as 12,206 consumers under JPDCL and 8,108 under Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) have already selected vendors, with 802 and 690 consumers respectively having made full payments for installations. 

Together, JPDCL and KPDCL have received applications with a total proposed load of over 181 MW—78.51 MW for JPDCL and 103.35 MW for KPDCL.

These developments were shared in a high-level review chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. Emphasising urgency, Dulloo instructed both discoms to accelerate vendor installations and directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to actively oversee implementation in their respective districts.

Govt Buildings to Add Over 240 MW Capacity

A major thrust of the review meeting was also on the solarisation of government buildings. Chief Secretary Dulloo called this initiative a “prestigious component” of PMSMBY and urged district administrations to ensure building-wise functionality checks and submit status reports by June 30.

PN Dhar, CEO of Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), outlined that a total of 22,494 government buildings are targeted to be covered with rooftop solar, with an estimated capacity of 245 MW. 

Of this, 70 MW will be implemented via the Capex mode, where 5,220 buildings (43.40 MW) are already under execution, and another 3,403 are set to contribute 34.39 MW once work orders are executed.

Under the RESCO mode, NHPC is tasked with solarising 1,500 buildings (35 MW), while JAKEDA will handle the installation for 8,000 buildings, targeting an additional 175 MW. Dulloo also directed JPDCL and KPDCL officers to conduct field inspections to ensure the installations meet quality and performance standards.

The progress signals a transformative shift in Jammu and Kashmir’s energy landscape, aligning with India’s broader push for decentralised clean energy adoption. The UT holds significant promise in solar energy, with the potential to play a transformative role in reshaping the region’s energy future. 

According to the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Power, India’s overall solar energy capacity is estimated at 748 gigawatt peak (GWp). Within this national potential, Jammu and Kashmir sits in the top 2, with a notable estimated capacity of 111,050 megawatt peak (MWp), second only to Rajasthan. This positions the Union Territory as a key contributor to India’s solar ambitions and offers vast opportunities for clean energy development in the region.