Page 47 - Policy & Economic Report - June 2025

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

Key Objectives of the Program:

• Identify and resolve city-level barriers to RTS adoption through technical assistance.

• Develop economic models and tools to demonstrate benefits to stakeholders.

• Support targeted awareness, skill development, and outreach campaigns.

• Create and disseminate toolkits, knowledge products, and success stories.

• Advise cities on enabling policy reforms and innovative business models.

• Facilitate collaboration among city administrators, DISCOMs, and State Nodal Agencies (SNAs).

A dedicated cell has been set up at MNRE, and teams will be deployed with implementation agencies in
each city to ensure effective on-ground support and monitoring. By building solar-ready cities and creating
replicable models, the City Accelerator Program aims to transform India's urban energy landscape and
contribute meaningfully to its clean energy transition.

MNRE Launched ?2.3 Crore Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge to Accelerate Rooftop Solar and
Distributed Renewable Energy Innovations

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, launched the Innovative
Projects Start-Up Challenge on Rooftop Solar (RTS) and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE)
Technologies, during the National Conference on Skill Development for the Renewable Energy Workforce
at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi.

This unique national innovation challenge aims to identify and support breakthrough solutions for India's
rooftop solar and distributed energy ecosystem. It is being implemented under the aegis of MNRE with
support from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), and in coordination with StartUp India, DPIIT.

About the Challenge

The Start-Up Challenge seeks applications from innovators and startups in India, focusing on four key
categories to boost renewable energy adoption:

1. Affordability – Making rooftop solar affordable for low- and middle-income households using
innovative financing, modular systems, and circular economy strategies.

2. Resilience – Enhancing climate resilience, grid stability, and cybersecurity in solar infrastructure,
especially for vulnerable and remote areas.

3. Inclusivity – Expanding access to underserved communities through community solar, virtual net
metering, and inclusive financing models.

4. Environmental Sustainability – Promoting eco-friendly technologies such as solar panel recycling,
land-neutral solar deployment, and hybrid clean energy models.

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