Lucknow: In a significant push towards its solar energy goals, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to train 30,000 young individuals as “Surya Mitras” to help achieve the ambitious target of installing solar panels on every rooftop in the state.
Following the launch of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana in February last year, which aims to install one crore solar rooftops across India, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has already installed over 25 lakh solar panels in Uttar Pradesh. However, to meet the goal of having solar panels on every household, the state recognizes the urgent need for skilled workers in the solar energy sector.
A senior official from the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) stated that the agency has set a target of training 30,000 Surya Mitras at district centers and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state. This initiative is part of a broader plan under the National Solar Energy Mission to develop a skilled workforce that can rapidly contribute to the expansion of solar energy infrastructure.
To date, over 3,000 youngsters in Uttar Pradesh have completed training for solar projects. The three-month Surya Mitra program includes 600 hours of comprehensive training, combining classroom instruction, practical lab work, exposure to solar photovoltaic technology plants, on-the-job training, and soft skills and entrepreneurship development. Candidates must have completed Class 10 and hold an ITI certification in relevant trades to qualify for the program. Upon completion, trainees are provided with job placement assistance.
UPNEDA data shows that registrations have been completed for installing solar panels on the rooftops of more than 18 lakh houses in the state, with applications pending for an additional two lakh houses. To further promote solar energy use, the government has introduced a “net billing/net metering” system. Moreover, UPNEDA has partnered with the Tata Group to install solar panels on 10 lakh rooftops across Uttar Pradesh, with the initiative recently launching in Varanasi.
This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a solar-powered future for India, with Uttar Pradesh playing a key role in this transformation.
