Guwahati, June 4: Assam has emerged among the country’s top-performing states in the Centre’s flagship rooftop solar programme, securing top honours at the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Awards and underlining the state’s growing push towards renewable energy.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that Assam secured first position in solar vendor registrations and second positions in both consumer applications and distribution company inspections under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
“Congratulations to Team Assam on bagging top honours at the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Awards,” Sarma posted on X, adding that the recognition would further strengthen the state’s resolve to contribute towards India’s net-zero target and expand clean energy adoption.
According to the award categories announced under the programme, Assam secured the top rank in “Month of Solar – Maximum Vendor Registrations” and second positions in both “Maximum Consumer Applications” and “Maximum DISCOM Inspections (APDCL)”.
The recognition comes amid an aggressive push by the state government to expand rooftop solar adoption among households. The PM Surya Ghar scheme, launched by the Centre in 2024, seeks to promote rooftop solar systems through subsidies and net-metering support, enabling households to generate their own electricity and reduce power bills.
Over the past two years, Assam has steadily expanded its solar footprint through household rooftop installations as well as larger government-backed solar projects. The state government has also rolled out additional incentives alongside central subsidies to encourage greater participation in the programme.
In March last year, the state installed its first rooftop solar system under the PM Surya Ghar scheme at a beneficiary’s residence in Guwahati, with Sarma describing the initiative as a key step towards making clean energy accessible to ordinary households. The government has since repeatedly highlighted rooftop solar as a major component of Assam’s broader energy transition strategy.
The awards were announced following a nationwide assessment of states on parameters such as vendor mobilisation, consumer participation and implementation efficiency under the PM Surya Ghar programme. Similar recognitions were also announced for other states that recorded strong performances during the campaign.
While the latest rankings point to growing interest in rooftop solar across Assam, the focus will now shift to converting registrations and applications into completed installations, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where solar adoption remains relatively low but holds significant potential for growth.
