Leh, May 15: In a major push towards clean energy and sustainable development, the Union Territory of Ladakh on Thursday launched the Solar Rooftop City Accelerator Program (CAP) in Leh to speed up rooftop solar adoption under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The programme was launched at the NIELIT Conference Room in Leh in the presence of officials from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD), vendors and other stakeholders. The initiative is being coordinated by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation along with Ernst & Young LLP.
The City Accelerator Program aims to support rooftop solar implementation across 100 cities in India through technical assistance, institutional capacity building, citizen awareness and innovative business models. Officials said the programme builds on successful models developed in 50 leading cities and seeks to create scalable solutions for urban solar deployment.
Addressing the gathering, P. T. Rudra Goud, Secretary, Power Development Department, UT Ladakh, called for an aggressive expansion of rooftop solar infrastructure in Leh and urged stakeholders to work towards achieving a target of 2,000 rooftop solar installations every month.
He also stressed the need to reach 10,000 rooftop solar installations in Leh through the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, under which local vendors would work alongside the selected implementation agency to accelerate installations under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
Officials said ward-level targets are likely to be introduced to strengthen implementation at the grassroots level. The administration is also considering recognition for top-performing Solar Ambassadors to encourage greater public participation and awareness regarding rooftop solar adoption.
The initiative is being seen as a major opportunity for Ladakh to adopt a UT-supported and institution-led model of clean energy expansion suited to the region’s unique climatic and geographical conditions.
Authorities said the programme would improve the preparedness of the Ladakh Power Development Department and urban local bodies while making rooftop solar solutions more accessible to residents through targeted awareness campaigns.
The launch of the City Accelerator Program is expected to significantly boost renewable energy adoption in Ladakh and further strengthen the Union Territory’s vision of sustainable and green energy-led development.
