Rural households switch to rooftop solar systems to meet their daily energy needs
From running tube wells to powering sewing machines, households in rural Delhi are increasingly turning to rooftop solar systems to meet their daily energy needs. Many say their electricity bills have dropped to zero.
“I opted for a 5kW rooftop solar system. Ever since the installation, my electricity bill has been nil. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made,” said Ranbir Singh from Jaunti village, calling it a move that brought both savings and environmental benefits.
Gaje Singh from Tigipur village echoed similar sentiments. “Installing a rooftop solar system has completely eliminated my electricity bill. Every month, I used to worry about the rising costs, but now I save money without compromising on usage. It’s a smart and stress-free solution,” he said.
These individual stories are part of a broader shift. According to data shared by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), 1,842 rooftop solar systems have been installed in its operational areas, contributing to a total metering capacity of 30.21 megawatts. By February 2025, these systems had generated 10.13 million units of electricity. Not only does this reduce dependence on the grid, it also ensures continuous power supply in areas like Narela, which often suffer from outages and issues like transformer theft.
TPDDL is a joint venture between the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and Tata Power Company Limited which supplies electricity in the northern and western parts of Delhi.
The solar movement is especially visible in villages such as Alipur, Bawana, Begampur, Kanjhawala, Kirari and over 50 others where panels are quietly revolutionising daily life. In many homes, women are using solar-powered sewing machines to run small businesses. Children are studying under reliable lighting and farmers are irrigating fields with solar-powered tube-wells even when the grid fails.
The adoption of rooftop solar panels has been bolstered by financial incentives. Under the Delhi Solar Capital Subsidy Scheme, households can avail of Rs 2,000 per kilowatt (up to Rs 10,000), in addition to Central Government subsidies of Rs 18,000 per kW for systems up to 3 kW, and up to Rs 78,000 for larger systems. Generation-Based Incentives (GBI) under the Delhi Solar Policy 2024 further sweeten the deal, offering per unit payouts for solar electricity fed back into the grid.
With solar panels now dotting rooftops across rural Delhi, residents are not just reducing their bills, they are inching toward greater energy self-reliance.
Delhi