Bihar: Tata Power launches Har Ghar Solar initiative, to adopt rooftop solar system in 5 lakh homes

Patna, Tata Power Renewable Energy on Thursday launched its 'Har Ghar Solar' initiative in Bihar, aiming at facilitating rooftop solar adoption in five lakh homes over the next three years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Surya Ghar Yojana in 2024.

"Har Ghar Solar, a massive initiative, is backed by the state government. Working together, we can usher in a solar revolution in the state, and make a big difference to people's lives," Tata Power CEO and MD Praveer Sinha said while addressing an event where the plan was launched.


Sinha highlighted that the Bihar cabinet recently approved an additional subsidy of Rs 10,000 per kW, under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, bringing total combined central and state solar subsidies in Bihar to Rs 40,000 for 1 kW, Rs 80,000 for 2 kW, and Rs 98,000 for 3 kW and above.

"A movement of sorts is happening across the country, but Bihar is yet to catch pace. With this initiative, as part of shared responsibility, we can take things forward," he said.

Besides Sinha, Bihar Energy Department Secretary Ajay Yadav and Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) CEO and MD Sanjay Banga were present at the event.

Banga said that Bihar lagging behind states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh in terms of solar adoption is "surprising" because the official electricity tariff prices charged by the power distribution company (DISCOM) in Bihar stand between Rs 7.5 and Rs 8 per unit.

"The question in Bihar is not of affordability, but awareness. The Har Ghar Solar initiative launched today is an effort to drive awareness. If solar power reaches every village, Bihar will never face an energy deficit. The state's rooftop solar potential is 32 GW, whereas its peak demand across residential, commercial, and industrial segments is just around 9 GW," he said.

Sinha said that the Har Ghar Solar initiative has been helping people charge electric vehicles (EVs) in states like Rajasthan and can also help mitigate climate change through clean energy in Bihar.

"People should see our initiative in terms of climate action, energy independence for consumers, and a lifelong earning opportunity," he added.

Apart from the Har Ghar Initiative, Tata Power also launched its Battery storage device, Mysine, in Bihar.

"The battery storage system addresses situations where excess solar is generated, or where DISCOM supply interruptions force the use of diesel generators. If a consumer runs a diesel generator for even one hour a day, switching to a battery storage system will recover their investment within two years," Banga claimed.

Officials of the company claimed that their integrated solar, storage and service solutions provided for a complete experience ranging from solar installation to operation and maintenance.

Chief of Solar Rooftop and EV Charging Business at Tata Power, Shivram Bikkina, said that 'Mera Gaon, Mera Solar', a subset of Har Ghar Solar initiative, provides for a CSR-funded facility for solar installation in every 100 households of a village.