MNRE launches city accelerator program and start-up challenge to boost rooftop solar

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the City Accelerator Program during the National Conference on Skill Development for Renewable Energy Workforce at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi. The initiative, in partnership with Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), aims to speed up the adoption of rooftop solar (RTS) across Indian cities.

The City Accelerator Program is part of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), the world’s largest domestic RTS scheme. It offers technical assistance to urban local bodies (ULBs) and distribution companies (DISCOMs). The program also focuses on capacity building, institutional strengthening and city-level policy design.

In its first phase, the program will roll out in 30 cities across 10 states. Insights from this phase will guide expansion to 100 cities. A dedicated cell at MNRE will oversee implementation, with teams on the ground to monitor progress and support local stakeholders.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana seeks to solarise 1 crore households and contribute to India’s goal of 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Urban areas account for a large share of energy demand. The City Accelerator Program aims to resolve city-level barriers, develop economic models for RTS and drive policy innovation through shared learning.

Key objectives include identifying adoption barriers through technical support, creating tools that highlight RTS benefits for ULBs and DISCOMs, and running targeted awareness and skill-development campaigns. The program will also produce toolkits, knowledge products and success stories to replicate best practices.

MNRE has set up teams with implementation partners in each city. These teams will advise on policy reforms, help design new business models and facilitate collaboration among city administrators, DISCOMs and state nodal agencies (SNAs).

Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge

Additionally, MNRE launched the Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge on rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy technologies. This national innovation contest is run by MNRE with support from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and in coordination with StartUp India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The challenge invites startups to submit solutions in four categories:

1. Affordability – financing and modular systems for low- and middle-income households.
   
   
2. Resilience – enhancing climate resilience, grid stability and cybersecurity.
   
   
3. Inclusivity – expanding access through community solar and virtual net metering.
   
   
4. Environmental sustainability – solar panel recycling, land-neutral deployment and hybrid models.

Selected innovators will compete for a prize pool of Rs 23 million, including Rs 10 million for first prize, Rs 5 million for second, Rs 3 million for third and ten consolation prizes of Rs 0.5 million each. Winners will also receive incubation support, pilot implementation opportunities and mentorship from experts and investors.

The challenge closes on 20 August 2025, with results due on 10 September 2025.