Key Highlights
- The plan: Rooftop solar on 15,000 more government buildings in 2026–27, adding about 65 MW.
- So far: 6,014 government buildings had rooftop solar by March 2026, with 95 MW capacity.
- Budget: ₹314 crore allocated, with 100% capital cost funded by the state.
- Smart monitoring: A new IIoT system tracks performance every 15 minutes.
- State ranking: Gujarat has overtaken Rajasthan as India's top state in renewable energy capacity, at 47,178 MW.
Gujarat plans to install rooftop solar systems on 15,000 more government buildings during 2026–27. The expansion is expected to add about 65 MW, taking the programme's total capacity beyond 160 MW.
"The biggest expansion of installation of rooftop solar systems on government buildings is taking place this year," said Climate Change Minister Arjun Modhwadia.
Where the Programme Stands
The programme, run by the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) under the Climate Change Department, began in 2011–12. By March 2026, 6,014 government buildings had grid-connected rooftop solar, with 95 MW of capacity. In 2025–26 alone, 1,377 buildings were added, contributing 17.1 MW.
Why It Matters: A Huge Jump in Scale
The numbers show how dramatically the programme is scaling up. In about 14 years, the scheme covered just over 6,000 buildings. This single year aims to cover 15,000, more than twice the total achieved so far.
The data also reveals a shift in the type of buildings. So far, the average installation has been about 16 kW per building. The new target works out to roughly 4 kW per building, suggesting the expansion is reaching many smaller offices and facilities, not just large government complexes. That widens the scheme's reach across the state.
| Buildings | Capacity | Avg. per building* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total till March 2026 | 6,014 | 95 MW | ~16 kW |
| Added in 2025–26 | 1,377 | 17.1 MW | ~12 kW |
| Planned for 2026–27 | 15,000 | ~65 MW | ~4 kW |
Calculated from official figures.
How It's Funded
The state has earmarked ₹314 crore for 2026–27:
- ₹278 crore for general government buildings
- ₹33 crore for Tribal Development Department buildings
- ₹3 crore for Social Justice and Empowerment Department buildings
The state covers 100% of the capital cost. The installations are expected to cut electricity bills for government offices and reduce pollution from conventional power.
Watching Every 15 Minutes
Gujarat has also introduced an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-based monitoring system. It uses smart meters, sensors and IoT gateways to capture performance data every 15 minutes, up to 96 readings a day, and sends automatic alerts. It currently monitors 142.5 MW of solar and 68.3 MW of wind capacity.
Gujarat Overtakes Rajasthan
According to the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Gujarat now has 47,178 MW of installed renewable capacity and has overtaken Rajasthan as India's leading state in renewable energy. Solar and wind make up most of it.
The Bottom Line
By planning to cover more government rooftops in one year than in the previous 14 combined, Gujarat is turning its public buildings into a network of small power plants, and strengthening its new position at the top of India's renewable energy rankings.
With inputs from IANS.