Solar Panels in Indian Schools: Insights from UDISE+ 2024-25 Data

Progress, Policies & Pathways to Sustainability


Introduction

In the pursuit of universal school education as enshrined in India’s Constitution and reinforced by the Right to Education Act (2009), infrastructure plays a pivotal role. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes sustainable and equitable school facilities, aligning with broader goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). A key aspect of this is the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to ensure reliable power for learning environments. Drawing from the latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024-25 data, this article analyses the availability of solar panels in schools across India, compares it with the previous year, highlights leading states, and explores government policies, incentives, and practical considerations to encourage wider adoption. As maintained on Education for All in India (educationforallinindia.com), this analysis underscores data-driven insights to advance Samagra Shiksha and NEP 2020 objectives.

State-wise Solar Panel available in schools by Managements UDISEPlus 2024-25

National Overview and Year-on-Year Progress

According to UDISE+ 2024-25, out of 1,471,473 schools in India, 159,648 (10.8%) have solar panels installed, with breakdowns by management as follows: government schools at 91,466 (9.0% of 1,013,322), government-aided at 9,517 (12.0% of 79,349), private unaided at 54,096 (15.9% of 339,583), and others at 4,569 (11.6% of 39,219). This marks an improvement from UDISE+ 2023-24, where 154,498 schools (10.5%) out of 1,471,891 had solar panels. For 2023-24, government schools showed 89,746 installations (8.8% of 1,017,660), while private unaided schools had higher adoption rates, though exact breakdowns vary slightly across sources due to reporting differences. The year-on-year increase of 5,150 schools (3.3% growth in absolute terms) and 0.3 percentage points reflects steady but incremental progress, driven by targeted initiatives under Samagra Shiksha. However, the overall low penetration – leaving nearly 89% of schools without solar power – highlights a persistent gap in achieving universal electrification. UDISE+ data from prior years (e.g., around 8.5% in 2021-22) indicates an upward trend, but acceleration is essential to meet NEP targets by 2030.

India/State/ UT Total Schools Total Schools with Solar Panels Availability Percentage of Schools with Solar Panels availability
All Managements Government Government Aided Private Unaided Others
Andhra Pradesh 61317 4265 7.0 4.5 7.8 14.1 7.5
Arunachal Pradesh 3229 421 13.0 11.6 26.4 17.7 14.3
Assam 55283 3821 6.9 7.2 3.1 7.5 3.0
Bihar 94339 9729 10.3 9.7 9.3 14.1 11.5
Chandigarh 207 177 85.5 89.0 85.7 80.5 0.0
Chhattisgarh 56802 3366 5.9 5.9 9.7 6.1 4.4
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 433 95 21.9 25.5 0.0 4.8 0.0
Delhi 5556 1844 33.2 44.4 21.0 22.9 0.0
Goa 1479 48 3.2 1.0 5.0 8.5 0.0
Gujarat 53355 4785 9.0 6.3 11.6 14.8 40.0
Haryana 23494 5586 23.8 17.6 25.0 34.1 25.1
Himachal Pradesh 17330 1206 7.0 6.1 0.0 11.9 0.0
Jammu and Kashmir 24192 3910 16.2 16.4 0.0 15.1 23.4
Jharkhand 44376 6388 14.4 14.2 10.6 21.6 14.5
Karnataka 74859 9725 13.0 10.8 13.7 18.4 60.0
Kerala 15757 2050 13.0 18.7 7.0 19.2 9.1
Ladakh 961 286 29.8 28.4 34.2 37.8 0.0
Lakshadweep 36 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Madhya Pradesh 122120 6957 5.7 4.8 5.8 8.7 7.1
Maharashtra 108250 21097 19.5 20.9 17.3 17.6 7.9
Manipur 4666 792 17.0 14.9 3.8 30.9 13.1
Meghalaya 14587 624 4.3 4.0 4.2 5.2 5.7
Mizoram 3974 98 2.5 1.6 3.4 4.3 5.3
Nagaland 2750 418 15.2 18.3 0.0 7.9 0.0
Odisha 61565 8239 13.4 13.3 13.3 14.5 11.0
Puducherry 763 49 6.4 3.3 6.1 10.6 0.0
Punjab 27281 5772 21.2 24.1 10.5 14.2 0.0
Rajasthan 106302 8430 7.9 6.2 0.0 11.7 5.3
Sikkim 1245 212 17.0 21.7 12.5 6.5 0.0
Tamil Nadu 57935 3056 5.3 4.1 3.3 10.4 4.8
Telangana 43154 2689 6.2 6.0 5.5 6.8 2.3
Tripura 4943 221 4.5 3.7 2.4 11.5 3.9
Uttar Pradesh 262358 36592 13.9 7.7 16.0 21.9 15.4
Uttarakhand 22452 1851 8.2 7.0 10.7 11.8 6.0
West Bengal 93715 4835 5.2 5.1 5.4 3.7 8.3
India, 2024-25 1471473 159648 10.8 9.0 12.0 15.9 11.6
India, 2023-24 1471891 154498 10.5 8.8 11.3 15.3 11.5

Leading States: Achievements and Lessons

State-wise variations reveal success stories that offer valuable lessons. Chandigarh tops the list with 85.5% coverage (177 out of 207 schools), driven by urban infrastructure advantages, proactive local policies, and integration with smart city initiatives. Ladakh follows at 29.8% (286 out of 961), benefiting from high solar irradiance in remote Himalayan regions and targeted off-grid solar programs under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Haryana (23.8%, 5,586 out of 23,494) and Punjab (21.2%, 5,772 out of 27,281) demonstrate strong adoption through state-level subsidies and partnerships with private solar firms.

These states achieved high coverage through:

  • Integrated Planning: Collaborating with MNRE and state education departments to prioritize solar under Samagra Shiksha’s infrastructure component.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): In Haryana, tie-ups with solar companies reduced installation costs by 30-50%.
  • Geographic Leverage: Ladakh’s remote areas, often without grid access, used off-grid solar systems to power schools, illustrating adaptability.
  • Awareness and Training: Workshops for school administrators on maintenance and benefits accelerated uptake.

Lessons for lagging states like Lakshadweep (0%) or Goa (3.2%) include replicating these models: Start with pilot projects in high-sunlight areas, leverage central funds, and build capacity through teacher training. For instance, states like Bihar (10.3%) and Uttar Pradesh (13.9%) could emulate Ladakh by focusing on rural schools, where solar can bridge electricity gaps.

Government Policies, Provisions, and Incentives

India’s solar push is anchored in the National Solar Mission (part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change) and NEP 2020, which advocate for renewable energy in educational institutions. Under Samagra Shiksha, solar installations are supported as part of school infrastructure upgrades, with provisions for funding through the “Green School” component.

Key incentives include:

  • Subsidies from MNRE: Through the Rooftop Solar Programme (Phase II), institutions like schools qualify for Central Financial Assistance (CFA). For systems up to 10 kW, subsidies cover 40% of benchmark costs for the first 3 kW and 20% for additional capacity. For larger systems (above 10 kW), group housing societies or institutions can access up to 20% subsidy.
  • State-Level Add-ons: Many states offer extra incentives; e.g., Haryana provides an additional 20-30% top-up, while Maharashtra integrates solar under its “Majhi Vasundhara” campaign.
  • Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Schools can opt for zero-upfront-cost models where solar developers install panels and sell power at discounted rates (e.g., ₹2-3 per unit vs. grid ₹5-8).
  • Tax Benefits: GST on solar equipment is 5-12%, with exemptions under Section 80IA of the Income Tax Act for renewable projects. Accelerated depreciation (40%) allows faster cost recovery.
  • Loans and Financing: Priority sector lending from banks like SBI offers loans at 7-9% interest, with repayment through energy savings.

These provisions aim to make solar viable for budget-constrained schools, aligning with India’s 500 GW renewable target by 2030.

Prerequisites, Specifications, and Installation Basics

Installing solar panels requires careful planning to ensure efficiency and longevity. Basic prerequisites include:

  • Site Assessment: Adequate rooftop space (10-15 Sq. m per kW), south-facing orientation, minimal shading, and structural strength to support 15-20 kg/Sq. m panels.
  • Sunlight Availability: At least 4-5 peak sun hours daily; tools like MNRE’s solar atlas help evaluate potential.
  • Regulatory Approvals: Net metering permission from local Discoms for grid-connected systems; off-grid for remote areas.
  • System Size: Schools typically need 5-20 kW based on load (lights, fans, computers, labs). A 10 kW system generates 12,000-15,000 units annually.

Specifications for school setups:

  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline or polycrystalline (efficiency 15-20%); bifacial for higher yield.
  • Components: Inverter (string or micro), batteries for hybrid/off-grid (lithium-ion preferred for longevity), and mounting structures.
  • Cost Breakdown: Without subsidy, ₹40,000-60,000 per kW (total ₹2-6 lakh for 5-10 kW). With 40% CFA, net cost drops to ₹24,000-36,000 per kW. Maintenance: ₹5,000-10,000 annually.
  • Installation Process: Engage empanelled vendors via MNRE’s portal; timeline 1-3 months, including DISCOM integration.

The fundamental concept: Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity via the photoelectric effect. An inverter converts it to alternating current (AC) for use, with excess fed to the grid or stored.

Benefits and Cost Savings for Schools

Solar panels offer multifaceted benefits:

  • Financial Savings: A 10 kW system can save ₹1-2 lakh annually on bills (assuming 1,200 units/month at ₹6/unit). Payback period: 3-5 years with subsidies.
  • Reliability in Power-Scarce Areas: In villages without stable grid (affecting 10-15% of schools per UDISE+), solar ensures uninterrupted power for science and computer labs, enabling experiments, digital learning, and extended hours.
  • Educational Value: Panels serve as teaching tools for STEM, fostering awareness of renewables.
  • Environmental Impact: Reduces CO2 emissions by 10-15 tons/year per 10 kW system, promoting eco-friendly campuses.
  • Operational Enhancements: Powers labs (e.g., microscopes, computers) without fuel costs, crucial for NEP’s experiential learning.

In grid-absent scenarios, hybrid systems (solar + battery) provide 4-8 hours of backup, transforming schools into community hubs.

Encouraging Adoption: A Call to Action

To boost coverage, schools should assess viability via MNRE’s online tools, apply for CFA through state nodal agencies, and explore PPPs. Policymakers must prioritize rural incentives and integrate solar metrics into UDISE+ monitoring. As NEP 2020 envisions, solar-equipped schools are key to equitable education.

Concluding Observations

The modest rise from 10.5% in 2023-24 to 10.8% in 2024-25 signals positive momentum but underscores the urgency for scaled-up interventions to realize NEP 2020’s sustainable education goals. Leading states like Chandigarh and Ladakh demonstrate that targeted policies and geographic advantages can drive adoption, offering replicable strategies for underperforming regions. By leveraging incentives and addressing barriers like initial costs, India can enhance school resilience, reduce energy poverty, and integrate environmental education. Ultimately, widespread solar integration not only powers classrooms but also empowers future generations toward a greener India. Continued data monitoring via UDISE+ will be vital to track progress and inform policy refinements.

This analysis, based on UDISE+ data, echoes the site’s commitment to data-driven reforms. For detailed state reports, visit educationforallinindia.com or UDISE+ portals.

Prof. Arun C. Mehta, formerly at NIEPA, contributes to advancing universal schooling through empirical insights.

Suggested Readings

  • [1] Ministry of Education. (2025). UDISE+ Report 2024-25. Link
  • [2] Ministry of Education. (2024). UDISE+ Report 2023-24. Link
  • [3] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. (n.d.). Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II. Link
  • [4] National Education Policy 2020. Ministry of Education. Link
  • [5] Open Government Data Platform India. (2025). State/UTs-wise Details of Schools having Solar Panel available during 2023-24. Link
  • [6] Mehta, A. C. (2025). School Education in India: Where Do We Stand? Analysis based on UDISE+ 2023-24. Link

Education for All in India