In a remarkable achievement underscoring India’s clean energy ambitions, Diu has emerged as a national leader in solar energy adoption, with the entire district now fulfilling its complete daytime electricity requirement using solar power. This landmark accomplishment was lauded by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Mr. Pralhad Joshi, during his official visit to the Union Territory on May 30, 2025.

India’s First Fully Solar-Powered District for Daytime Needs

Minister Joshi, addressing officials and stakeholders, declared Diu a national example in renewable energy implementation. With an installed solar capacity of 11.88 megawatts (MW)—comprising 9 MW ground-mounted systems and 2.88 MW rooftop installations—Diu is the first district in India to meet 100% of its daytime power demand through solar energy. This makes the district a trailblazer in India’s journey toward sustainable, self-reliant energy.

Review of Ongoing Projects and Future Plans

During his visit, Mr. Joshi chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Union Territory (UT) administration and reviewed the region’s solar power infrastructure. He evaluated:

• Solar generation metrics and consumption patterns.

• The effectiveness of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a central government initiative promoting free solar power for households.

• Current supply frameworks, grid management, and opportunities for future solar expansion.

Mr. Arun T., Energy Secretary of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, presented a detailed report highlighting:

• The capacity utilization of ground and rooftop installations.

• The economic and social benefits enjoyed by local households.

• The impact of reduced dependency on conventional electricity grids.

Spotlight on the 9 MW Fudam Solar Park

A key highlight of the minister’s tour was a site visit to the 9 MW Solar Park located in Fudam, a flagship project driving Diu’s solar success. According to Mr. Joshi:

• The Fudam Solar Park has substantially reduced transmission and distribution (T&D) losses.

• The project has lowered electricity tariffs, making power more affordable to residents and local businesses.

• Capital investments made over the past decade in renewable energy infrastructure have now been recouped through consistent solar power generation and sales.

This reflects the viability and long-term sustainability of solar infrastructure projects, and provides a template for replication across other Indian districts.

Administrative Vision and Clean Energy Governance

Minister Joshi praised the visionary leadership of the Administrator of the Union Territory, Mr. Praful Patel, for steering this transformative shift. Under his leadership, Diu has:

• Created a model solar ecosystem for small administrative regions.

• Built institutional mechanisms to maintain high solar efficiency.

• Strengthened community involvement in clean energy adoption through local outreach and incentives.

This collaboration between central leadership and local governance is a powerful example of cooperative federalism, demonstrating how targeted policies can yield measurable results.

PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana – A Central Pillar

Minister Joshi also assessed the implementation status of the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana, which aims to:

• Provide free or subsidized rooftop solar systems to residential homes.

• Reduce electricity bills, especially for low-income households.

• Enable energy independence at the household level.

The success of the scheme in Diu, where thousands of families now benefit from rooftop solar installations, underscores its transformative potential when deployed effectively.

Mr. Joshi urged officials to ensure the scheme’s accelerated and efficient execution, calling for:

• Wider coverage across households in both urban and rural areas.

• Streamlined subsidy delivery mechanisms.

• Training and skill development programs to support installation and maintenance.

National Implications of Diu’s Solar Milestone

Diu’s achievement carries important implications for India’s national renewable energy goals. Some of the key takeaways include:

1. Proof of Feasibility at District Scale

Diu’s transition demonstrates that:

• Even geographically small and densely populated regions can adopt solar power at scale.

• Administrative planning and efficient land use are key to solar success.

• Solar solutions can meet both residential and institutional power needs, reducing grid pressure.

2. Financial Viability and ROI

• Diu’s case shows that solar infrastructure pays for itself in under a decade through energy cost savings and power sales.

• Local governments and investors now have a proven business case for solar project investments.

3. Environmental Impact

• Diu’s solar initiative has led to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependency.

• This supports India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and reinforces its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070.

4. Public Awareness and Social Change

• The project has increased public participation in energy conservation.

• Educational campaigns have raised awareness about climate change, clean energy, and sustainability.

Road Ahead: National Replication and Policy Acceleration

As the nation looks to scale up renewable energy to meet its 2030 targets—which include 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity—Diu’s model offers a replicable framework for:

• Other Union Territories, such as Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, and Puducherry.

• Energy-scarce rural regions across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and northeastern states.

• Urban clusters, where rooftop solutions can address both energy and real estate challenges.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is expected to:

• Expand financial assistance for solar parks and distributed solar projects.

• Introduce policy incentives for districts achieving 100% clean energy during specific time blocks.

• Launch a national ranking system to encourage healthy competition among districts in renewable energy performance.

Conclusion: Diu Illuminates the Path Ahead

Diu’s remarkable transformation into India’s first district to achieve complete daytime power self-sufficiency using solar energy marks a historic moment in the country’s energy journey. With 11.88 MW of solar capacity, innovative infrastructure, and visionary governance, Diu has set a new national benchmark that others can emulate.

Under the continued leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and with strong ministerial support from leaders like Mr. Pralhad Joshi, India is steadily progressing toward a cleaner, greener, and more energy-secure future. The Diu model stands as a lighthouse of possibility, lighting the way for India’s renewable energy mission and offering real-world proof that solar energy is not just aspirational—but entirely achievable.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Victory Electric Vehicles International, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are 3B Films, N R Vandana Tex Industries, Scoda Tubes, Neptune Petrochemicals.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.