Indian Railways Wins PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award for Rooftop Solar Achievement
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| Indian Railways Wins PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award |
Posted on 05 Nov 2026: The Ministry of Railways has received the prestigious PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award for its outstanding contribution to promoting renewable energy and expanding rooftop solar power installations across railway buildings in India.
The Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, presented the award to the Ministry of Railways at the Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The Ministry secured the top position in the category of “Maximum Buildings Solarised by Central Ministries/Departments” under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
This national recognition highlights Indian Railways' efforts to adopt clean energy, reduce dependence on conventional electricity and promote sustainable infrastructure across its extensive network.
According to the reported achievement, rooftop solar systems have already been installed in 12,495 railway buildings, representing approximately 79% of the total feasible buildings identified by the Ministry. The Railways has also commissioned 351 MW of rooftop solar capacity against its target of 424 MW.
The Ministry has set a target to solarise all remaining feasible railway buildings by March 2027.
Key Highlights of the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award 2026
Here are the major achievements of the Ministry of Railways:
Particulars Achievement
Award Received PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award
Award Presented By Vice President of India
Recipient Ministry of Railways
Total Identified Feasible Buildings 15,868
Buildings Solarised 12,495
Solarisation Progress Approximately 79%
Rooftop Solar Capacity Commissioned 351 MW
Total Capacity Target 424 MW
Remaining Capacity Target 73 MW
Completion Target March 2027
Award Category Maximum Buildings Solarised by Central Ministries/Departments
The award recognises the Railways' leadership in implementing rooftop solar projects and accelerating India's transition towards renewable energy.
Why Did the Ministry of Railways Receive This Award?
The Ministry of Railways received the award for achieving the highest number of solarised buildings among Central Ministries and Departments under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The Ministry identified 15,868 feasible railway buildings for rooftop solar installations across the country.
Out of these, 12,495 buildings have already been equipped with rooftop solar systems. This represents approximately 79% progress against the identified building target.
In addition, the Ministry has commissioned 351 MW of rooftop solar capacity against its overall target of 424 MW.
These achievements demonstrate the growing importance of renewable energy in the operation and development of India's railway infrastructure.
12,495 Railway Buildings Equipped with Rooftop Solar Systems
One of the most significant achievements is the installation of rooftop solar systems in 12,495 railway buildings across India.
Railway infrastructure includes numerous buildings that require electricity for daily operations and public services.
These may include railway offices, stations, administrative buildings, service facilities and other suitable railway premises.
Installing solar panels on suitable rooftops allows these buildings to generate electricity from sunlight.
The solarisation programme can help railway establishments:
Generate clean and renewable electricity.
Reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources.
Improve energy efficiency.
Reduce electricity expenditure over the long term.
Support India's renewable energy development goals.
Reduce the carbon footprint associated with electricity consumption.
The programme also demonstrates how large public institutions can use existing infrastructure to support clean energy production.
351 MW Rooftop Solar Capacity Commissioned by Indian Railways
Apart from solarizing thousands of buildings, the Ministry of Railways has achieved another important milestone by commissioning 351 MW of rooftop solar capacity.
The total identified capacity target is 424 MW.
The remaining capacity to be commissioned is approximately 73 MW.
The progress can be understood through the following comparison:
Solar Capacity Amount
Total Target 424 MW
Commissioned Capacity 351 MW
Remaining Capacity 73 MW
Progress Approximately 82.8%
This achievement highlights the scale of the Railways' renewable energy programme.
By installing rooftop solar systems across multiple railway establishments, the Ministry is using available rooftop space to generate electricity without requiring large additional land areas for solar farms.
National Progress Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
The Ministry of Railways' achievement is also an important contribution to the wider national effort to expand rooftop solar installations across Central Government institutions.
According to the reported figures, a total of 39,135 buildings were identified across 77 Central Ministries and Departments for solarisation.
Out of these, 25,984 buildings have already been equipped with rooftop solar systems.
This represents approximately 66% progress at the national level.
The following table provides a comparison:
Particulars National Progress
Central Ministries and Departments 77
Total Buildings Identified 39,135
Buildings Solarised 25,984
Solarization Progress Approximately 66%
The Ministry of Railways has made a significant contribution to this achievement by solarizing 12,495 buildings.
Its progress demonstrates the potential of large government organisations to accelerate renewable energy adoption through planned infrastructure investments.
What Is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a flagship rooftop solar initiative of the Government of India aimed at encouraging households to adopt solar power.
The scheme was launched in February 2024 with the objective of installing rooftop solar systems in one crore households across the country.
Its major objective is to promote household-level solar electricity generation and help eligible households reduce their electricity bills through rooftop solar installations.
The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of Central Financial Assistance to eligible residential consumers according to the applicable guidelines.
Although the main focus of PM Surya Ghar is residential rooftop solar adoption, the excellence award category recognises the solarisation achievements of Central Ministries and Departments.
The Railways' recognition reflects the broader importance of renewable energy adoption in public infrastructure.
How Rooftop Solar Energy Can Benefit Indian Railways
Electricity is essential for the smooth functioning of railway infrastructure.
Railway buildings require power for lighting, computers, administrative equipment, passenger facilities and various operational requirements.
Rooftop solar installations can support these electricity needs by generating renewable power at the point of consumption.
The major expected benefits include:
1. Reduction in Electricity Costs
Solar power generation can help reduce the amount of electricity purchased from conventional sources, depending on consumption patterns, system design and applicable electricity tariffs.
Over the operational life of a solar installation, this may provide long-term savings.
2. Promotion of Clean Energy
Solar power generates electricity without direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
Greater adoption of rooftop solar can help reduce the carbon intensity of electricity used by railway establishments.
3. Better Utilisation of Railway Buildings
Many railway buildings have rooftop areas that may be suitable for solar installations.
Using these spaces for electricity generation can increase the productive use of existing railway infrastructure.
4. Support for Sustainable Railway Operations
The adoption of renewable energy is an important part of making railway infrastructure more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible.
5. Contribution to India's Renewable Energy Goals
By expanding solar installations across railway buildings, the Ministry is supporting India's broader efforts to increase renewable energy generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Indian Railways Targets 100% Solarisation of Feasible Buildings by March 2027
The Ministry of Railways has expressed its commitment to solarizing all remaining feasible railway buildings by March 2027.
With 12,495 buildings already solarized out of 15,868 identified feasible buildings, approximately 3,373 buildings remain to be equipped under the reported target.
The remaining work will be important for achieving the Ministry's objective of expanding rooftop solar installations throughout its railway infrastructure.
Similarly, the Ministry will need to commission the remaining 73 MW of rooftop solar capacity to meet its 424 MW target.
Achieving these targets would further strengthen the Railways' contribution to renewable energy adoption in India.
Vice President Presents PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award at Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026
The award was presented by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, during the Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The recognition places the Ministry of Railways among the leading Central Government organisations promoting rooftop solar energy.
The award is significant because it recognises measurable progress in the number of buildings solarised rather than simply announcing a future renewable energy commitment.
The achievement also highlights the importance of cooperation between government departments and renewable energy stakeholders in expanding clean energy infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which Ministry received the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award 2026?
The Ministry of Railways received the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award for its achievement in solarizing the maximum number of buildings among Central Ministries and Departments.
Q2. Who presented the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award?
The award was presented by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan.
Q3. Where was the award presented?
The award was presented at the Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Q4. How many railway buildings have been equipped with rooftop solar systems?
A total of 12,495 railway buildings have been equipped with rooftop solar systems.
Q5. How many railway buildings have been identified for solar installation?
The Ministry of Railways has identified 15,868 feasible buildings for rooftop solar installations.
Q6. What is the percentage of railway buildings solarised so far?
Approximately 79% of the identified feasible railway buildings have been solarised.
Q7. How much rooftop solar capacity has Indian Railways commissioned?
The Ministry has commissioned 351 MW of rooftop solar capacity against its target of 424 MW.
Q8. What is the remaining rooftop solar capacity target?
Approximately 73 MW remains to meet the total target of 424 MW.
Q9. What is the target date for completing the remaining solar installations?
The Ministry of Railways aims to solarize all remaining feasible buildings by March 2027.
Q10. How many buildings have been solarized across Central Ministries and Departments?
According to the reported figures, 25,984 out of 39,135 identified buildings across 77 Central Ministries and Departments have been solarized.
Conclusion
The PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award is an important recognition of the Ministry of Railways' contribution to India's renewable energy movement.
With 12,495 railway buildings equipped with rooftop solar systems and 351 MW of commissioned solar capacity, Indian Railways has demonstrated significant progress in adopting clean energy across its infrastructure.
The Ministry's commitment to completing the solarisation of all remaining feasible buildings by March 2027 further strengthens its focus on sustainable development.
This achievement also provides an example for other government departments and public institutions to make better use of available rooftop spaces for renewable electricity generation.
As India continues to expand its clean energy infrastructure, the contribution of major public organisations such as Indian Railways will remain important in building a more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable future.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared for general informational and educational purposes based on the supplied announcement. Readers should consult official government publications for further details and updates.
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