Odisha’s Ganjam Leads by Example in Solar Adoption; 2,943 Consumers Report Zero Electricity Bills
By Prakash Panigrahi
Berhampur (Odisha), June 20: The growing adoption of rooftop solar systems is transforming household energy consumption in Odisha’s Ganjam district, where nearly 3,000 consumers recorded zero electricity bills in May 2026 under the Centre’s flagship PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
According to official data, 2,943 consumers in the district paid no electricity charges during the month after installing rooftop solar systems, highlighting the tangible benefits of renewable energy adoption. The achievement has positioned Ganjam as one of Odisha’s leading districts in the transition towards clean and sustainable energy.
The momentum behind solar adoption continues to gather pace. So far, 7,085 rooftop solar systems have been installed in Ganjam under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. In addition, 4,102 rooftop solar systems have been commissioned through TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited’s (TPSODL) Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Model, taking the total number of installations in the district to 11,187.
The district has also witnessed a strong response from consumers, with 16,760 applications already received under the scheme, reflecting increasing public interest in renewable energy solutions and long-term savings on electricity expenses.
Across Southern Odisha, TPSODL has facilitated the installation of 16,756 rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Through its ULA Model, the utility has further accelerated solar adoption by enabling rooftop solar installations at highly affordable rates, making clean energy accessible to a larger section of domestic consumers.
The benefits of the initiative are increasingly visible in households that are now generating their own electricity and significantly reducing their monthly power expenditure.
Sharing his experience, Trilochan Mallick of Belaguntha in Bhanjanagar said he installed a 3 kW rooftop solar system under the scheme with support from TPSODL. “Earlier, my monthly electricity bill ranged between Rs 600 and Rs 800. After installing the solar system, my electricity bill has come down to zero. It has been a great benefit for my family,” he said.
Commenting on the achievement, Amit Kumar Garg, CEO of TPSODL, said the fact that nearly 3,000 consumers in Ganjam received zero electricity bills in a single month demonstrates the real economic benefits of rooftop solar adoption.
“The enthusiastic response from consumers reflects the success of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and growing confidence in clean energy solutions. We remain committed to enabling more households to harness solar power and contribute to a sustainable and energy-secure future for Odisha,” he said.
