Karnataka’s 3,600 Solarised Health Centres Deliver 80% Savings on Power Bills

Karnataka has become the first State in India to install solar power units in as many as 3,600 health centres within a year under Saura Swasthaya Scheme, achieving 80 percent to 85 percent savings in electricity bills. According to Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka now contributes nearly 18-20 percent of India’s total solar adoption in healthcare. 

Saura Swasthya scheme and CSR support

The project is being implemented under the ‘Saura Swasthya’ scheme in partnership with the SELCO Foundation.

The installation of solar power units is being supported through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, significantly reducing the financial burden on the State health department. 

The programme is expected to benefit more than three crore rural residents by enabling uninterrupted power supply to government hospitals and health centres.

Since its launch in November 2024, solar power units have been installed in around 3,000 health centres, with over 1,150 facilities fully solarised. Installation work is currently underway in nearly 1,300 sub-centres, and the health department expects to reach 3,700 centres by the end of the year. 

System capacities tailored to facility type

The capacity of solar installations is being tailored to the energy needs of each type of health facility. While sub-centres have rooftop solar units ranging from 0.25 kW to 1 kW, PHCs are being equipped with systems of 4 kW to 5 kW. 

Taluk hospitals, which have higher energy demand, are being fitted with systems of up to 10 kW capacity to support critical services and equipment.

Through the partnership, Karnataka aims to solarise 5,000 health facilities by 2026. 

These include 2,877 sub-centres, 1,971 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 28 Urban PHCs, 12 Community Health Centres (CHCs), and 112 taluk hospitals. This phased expansion is expected to make Karnataka one of the most solar-powered public healthcare networks in the country.

Financial savings and energy impact

The project, implemented at an estimated cost of INR 120 crore, has already yielded power savings of over three megawatts in the facilities covered so far. These installations have reduced electricity bills by up to 70 percent in many centres, according to department estimates. 

The health department foresees savings of about INR 50 lakh every month, amounting to over INR 100 crore in 10 years, by cutting dependence on grid electricity and diesel generator backup.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said,. “We are promoting green energy on a large scale for a safer and sustainable future. Karnataka is one of the leading adopters of solar energy in the healthcare sector, contributing about 18–20 percent of the national total,” he said.

He added that systems will be installed in 3,700 facilities by the end of this year, increasing to 5,000 facilities by the end of next year. The State expects to save around Rs 100 crore over the next 10 years, or roughly INR 10 crore annually, on electricity bills.

The solar panel installations are primarily concentrated in North Karnataka, where power connectivity continues to be a challenge, especially in rural and remote areas.