Nagpur: Maharashtra has achieved a major breakthrough in India’s renewable energy landscape by securing the second position nationally in the implementation of the Central Government’s flagship ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’. Strengthening the state’s achievement, Nagpur district has emerged as the top performer in Maharashtra, marking a significant step forward in rooftop solar adoption.

The milestone was celebrated at the ‘Khasdar Industrial Festival’ in Nagpur, where senior officials of Mahavitaran and various partner organizations were felicitated for their exceptional contribution. The event was organized by the All India Renewable Energy Association (AIREA) in collaboration with the Association for Industrial Development (AID) under the guidance of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Chief Minister Fadnavis Honours Mahavitaran Officials

The ceremony witnessed the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with senior representatives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), REC Limited, Mahavitaran, and Jan Samarth.

Top-performing officials who played a pivotal role in accelerating rooftop solar installations were awarded the ‘AIREA Renewable Energy Jewels’ honor. Awardees included:

• Sachin Talewar, Director (Operations/Projects)
• Prasad Reshme, Executive Director (Project)
• Dilip Dodke, Chief Engineer (Nagpur Zone)
• Pankaj Tagadpalliwar, Chief Engineer (Special Projects)
• Rahul Sontakke, Executive Engineer

The awards were presented by veteran industrialist Girdhari Mantri and Mahavitaran Independent Director Vishwas Pathak.

Nagpur Leads; Amravati and Buldhana Also in Top 10

The PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which promotes rooftop solar installations with subsidized clean energy, has seen rapid adoption across Maharashtra. While Nagpur ranked first in the state, Amravati and Buldhana from the Vidarbha region also secured spots in the top ten solar-performing districts.

During the event, MNRE Director Aditya Pratap Singh revealed that over 6,500 rooftop solar systems are being installed daily across India. He highlighted the scheme’s contribution to India’s clean energy transition.

Mahavitaran’s Director Sachin Talewar emphasized that a fully digital and automated system has streamlined approvals and subsidies, improving efficiency and transparency for consumers.

Training Camp and Solar Pavilion Draw Large Participation

A special training camp for registered solar vendors was also held and streamed live on the global YouTube channel ‘Solar Is My Passion’, attracting a wide audience.

Additionally, MNRE, REC, and Mahavitaran jointly set up a grievance-redressal stall at the Solar Pavilion during the Advantage Vidarbha Festival, where both vendors and consumers received on-the-spot assistance.

Maharashtra Aims for No. 1 Rank in India

Dignitaries expressed optimism that with rising awareness, streamlined processes, and rapid adoption of rooftop solar systems, Maharashtra is on track to claim the No. 1 position nationally in the coming months.

Photo Caption: Senior Mahavitaran officials being honored at the ‘Khasdar Industrial Festival’ by the All India Renewable Energy Association.