Work

Solar Rooftops in Indias Smart Cities: A Pathway to Sustainable Urban Green Energy Transition

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM), encompassing 100 cities since 2015, integrates ICT with sustainable infrastructure to address rapid urbanization (projected 600 million urban dwellers by 2036; MoHUA, 2023). Solar rooftops emerge as a cornerstone of green energy, aligning with India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030 (NDC, 2022). Rapid urbanization, rising electricity demand, and ambitious national renewable energy targets have elevated rooftop solar energy as a strategic lever for sustainable urban decarbonization in India. This paper examines the role of solar rooftops within the Smart Cities Mission as an enabling pathway towards a green energy transition. Also evaluates solar rooftop deployment in Indian smart cities, focusing on techno-economic feasibility, policy efficacy, and sustainability impacts Drawing on national policy frameworks, recent deployment data, and illustrative smart-city case studies, the study analyses drivers, technical and institutional enablers, socioeconomic impacts, barriers, and practical recommendations for scaling rooftop solar across urban India. We find that grid-connected rooftop solar (RTS) can substantially contribute to urban decarbonization, energy access, and distributed energy resilience when supported by integrated city-level planning, streamlined regulatory processes, financing innovations, and capacity building. Policy synergies between central schemes (e.g., Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II, PM Surya Ghar) and city-level Smart Cities initiatives have produced promising pilot outcomes, yet persistent challenges—landlord/tenant split incentives, distribution network constraints, financing gaps, and data/monitoring shortfalls—need targeted interventions. The paper concludes with a city-action framework and policy recommendations to scale RTS in smart cities to meet both climate and urban development objectives.

Source: JOURNAL OF ADVANCE AND FUTURE RESEARCH

DOI: 10.56975/jaafr.v3i12.501603

Authors: Dr. Swati Modi, Dr. Minouti Jani

Institution: GLS University

Language: English

Topic: Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4417229383