UP Government to Train 30,000 Youths as Surya Mitras for Solar Panel Installation

Lucknow, August 5, 2024: In a significant push towards renewable energy, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to train over 30,000 youths as Surya Mitras under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of solar panels in every household.

Official sources revealed that 3,000 youths have already completed their training. The National Solar Energy Mission has developed a strategy to foster skilled manpower for the solar sector, creating a workforce of artisans proficient in solar projects. This initiative is a part of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, launched in February 2023, which targets the installation of 1 crore solar rooftops nationwide. The Yogi government has committed to contributing 25 lakh solar rooftops to this national goal.

Registration has been completed for installing solar rooftops on over 18 lakh houses in the state, with additional applications for approximately two lakh houses. So far, solar rooftops have been installed on more than 10,000 homes.

To promote solar energy usage, the government has introduced a net billing or net metering system. UPNEDA has partnered with the Tata Group to install solar rooftops on 10 lakh houses across the state, with the project commencing in Varanasi.

Given the scale of solar rooftop installations, there is a substantial need for skilled workers in the sector. UPNEDA has set a target of training 30,000 Surya Mitras through district training centers and ITI institutes. The Surya Mitra training program spans three months, covering 600 hours of comprehensive training that includes classroom instruction, practical laboratory work, exposure to SPV plants, on-the-job training, and soft skills and entrepreneurship development.

Eligible candidates must have passed the 10th standard and hold an ITI certification in electrician, wireman, electronic mechanic, fitter, or sheet metal. After completing the training, trainees receive assistance in securing employment, ensuring a skilled and employable workforce to meet the demands of the solar energy sector.