Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 5 (ANI): Gujarat is expanding its clean-energy programme by installing grid-connected rooftop solar systems across government buildings, with the state targeting 15,000 additional buildings during the current financial year, Climate Change Minister Arjun Modhwadia said.
The programme, implemented by the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) under the Climate Change Department since 2011-12, aims to increase renewable energy adoption, reduce dependence on conventional sources of electricity and lower power expenditure for government offices.
According to the state government, 1,377 government buildings were equipped with rooftop solar systems during 2025-26, adding 17.1 MW of renewable energy capacity. With this expansion, the cumulative number of government buildings covered under the initiative reached 6,014 by March 2026, with total installed capacity touching 95 MW.
“The biggest expansion of installation of rooftop solar systems on government buildings is taking place this year as we plan to install on 15,000 government buildings. The proposed expansion is expected to add around 65 MW of solar capacity, further strengthening the use of renewable energy across the state’s public infrastructure,” Modhwadia said.
The programme is being expanded under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with the government seeking to increase the use of solar power across public infrastructure.
The state government said the rooftop installations are expected to help reduce conventional electricity consumption and power expenditure in government offices, while also contributing to lower pollution associated with conventional power generation.
“The solar installations are expected to generate multiple environmental and economic benefits, including reduced consumption of conventional electricity, lower electricity expenditure for government offices and a reduction in pollution associated with conventional power generation,” Minister of State for Climate Change Pravin Mali said.
For 2026-27, the state has earmarked a budget provision of Rs 314 crore for the programme. Of this, Rs 278 crore has been allocated for general government buildings, Rs 3 crore for buildings under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department and Rs 33 crore for buildings managed by the Tribal Development Department, GEDA Director Dharmendra Patel said.
Under the scheme, rooftop solar systems are being installed on government buildings under the jurisdiction of the Gujarat government, with the projects receiving 100 per cent capital-cost support from the annual budget allocation of the Climate Change Department.
The state government has also introduced an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-based Renewable Energy Monitoring System this year to digitally monitor renewable energy installations on government buildings.
The system integrates smart meters, sensors and IoT gateways connected through GPRS, 4G and Ethernet networks. According to Modhwadia, the system provides automated remote alerts and records performance data at 15-minute intervals, generating up to 96 readings a day.
“The system’s robust infrastructure integrates smart meters, sensors, and IoT gateways connected via GPRS, 4G, and Ethernet. It delivers automated remote alerts and captures performance data every 15 minutes, generating up to 96 daily readings,” Modhwadia said.
The monitoring interface currently tracks significant renewable energy capacities, including 142.5 MW of solar and 68.3 MW of wind generation, according to the state government.
The rooftop solar programme forms part of Gujarat’s wider push towards renewable energy adoption. According to the latest data cited by the state government from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Gujarat has an installed renewable energy capacity of 47,178 MW and has emerged as the leading state nationally in renewable energy capacity.
Solar and wind power constitute a major share of Gujarat’s renewable energy portfolio, with the state continuing to expand clean-energy generation and infrastructure.
The government has said the expansion of rooftop solar on public buildings, combined with digital monitoring of renewable energy assets, is aimed at improving energy efficiency and strengthening Gujarat’s transition towards a cleaner energy system. (ANI)
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