THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JUNE 17, 2026
In a significant step
towards women empowerment and the promotion of renewable energy, Odisha’s first
batch of Solar Didis has successfully completed training under the Solar Didi Initiative of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The
programme, implemented through a collaborative effort involving government agencies
and industry partners, aims to create a cadre of trained women leaders who will
champion rooftop solar adoption at the grassroots level while generating
sustainable livelihood opportunities.
TP
Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), a joint
venture of Tata Power and the
Government of Odisha, celebrated the successful completion of the state’s first
Solar Helper Training batch at the Tata Power Skill Development Institute
(TPSDI), Cuttack.
The Solar Didi
Initiative is a joint programme of the Ministry
of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of
India, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban
Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).
A total of 29 women
representatives from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NULM, identified by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC),
successfully completed the training programme. The participants were equipped
with technical knowledge on rooftop solar systems, including installation processes,
operation and maintenance, consumer awareness, and the promotion of solar
energy adoption.
The initiative was
facilitated by the City Accelerator
Program (CAP) Team, supported by MNRE, with the Tata Power Skill
Development Institute (TPSDI) serving as the training partner for the Solar
Didi programme.
The successful
completion of the first batch marks an important milestone in empowering women
as Solar Didis and strengthening grassroots participation in the implementation
of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
In collaboration with TPCODL, the trained Solar Didis will be engaged in
promoting the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model and the PM Surya Ghar scheme
across Cuttack city. They will support citizen outreach, beneficiary
mobilisation, and facilitate rooftop solar adoption at the community level.
Speaking on the occasion, TPCODL CEO Gajanan S. Kale said, “The successful completion of Odisha’s first Solar Didi training batch is a significant step towards empowering women and accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar energy. By equipping women with technical knowledge and community engagement skills, we are creating local champions who can drive awareness and facilitate the benefits of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana at the grassroots level. TPCODL is proud to collaborate in this transformative initiative that combines sustainable livelihoods with clean energy adoption.”
The initiative is expected to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women while accelerating the transition towards clean and renewable energy in urban areas. It reflects a collective commitment to women’s empowerment, skill development, and the promotion of sustainable energy solutions for a greener and more energy-secure future.
