Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government plans to install rooftop solar systems at 800 offices under its Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Farmers’ Welfare and Cooperation Department during the 2026–27 financial year, with projected annual electricity bill savings of approximately ₹2.5 crore.
Letters of Intent (LoIs) for the installations were issued to implementing agencies through the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) at a programme in Gandhinagar on Friday. Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani chaired the programme, which was also attended by Minister of State for Agriculture Ramesh Katara.
The installations are expected to add 2.5 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar capacity and generate approximately 31.94 lakh units of electricity annually, equivalent to around 8,750 units a day. The initiative is intended to reduce electricity expenditure at government facilities and expand the use of renewable energy.
800 Government Facilities to Get Rooftop Solar
The project will cover a range of facilities operated by the department and its associated institutions, including:
- Agricultural research centres and training centres
- Agricultural universities
- Veterinary disease investigation centres
- Veterinary hospitals
- Nurseries
- Other government institutions under the department
The planned installations will distribute solar capacity across these facilities rather than concentrating it at a single site.
Additional Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Solanki, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, said the proposed 2.5 MW capacity would cover institutions including research and training centres, universities and veterinary facilities.
Agriculture Department to Become First in State With Solar Coverage Across All Units
Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said the department would become the first in Gujarat to equip all its offices and units with rooftop solar panels.
He said the government intended to extend the approach to other departments in phases, with the longer-term objective of installing rooftop solar systems across state government offices.
The initiative is part of Gujarat’s broader efforts to expand renewable energy use in public buildings and reduce the electricity costs borne by government departments.
Solar Panels Also Planned for Agricultural Marketing Yards
The state government is also considering solar installations at warehouses, sheds, domes and storage facilities in agricultural marketing yards across Gujarat.
According to the announcement, solar generation at these sites could help reduce electricity expenses associated with their operations.
The proposal would extend the use of rooftop and structure-mounted solar systems beyond departmental offices to facilities connected with agricultural marketing and storage.
Minister Urges Wider Adoption of Rooftop Solar
Vaghani also appealed to cooperative institutions, departmental officials and employees to install rooftop solar systems at their homes and encourage at least five other people to adopt the technology.
The appeal is intended to encourage broader participation in renewable energy adoption alongside the government’s plans for public-sector buildings.
With implementation planned for the 2026–27 financial year, the 800-office project is expected to add 2.5 MW of rooftop solar capacity and reduce the department’s annual electricity expenditure by an estimated ₹2.5 crore.
Read Also: Gujarat Steps Up Japan Outreach Ahead of 75 Years of India-Japan Diplomatic Ties
