Bhubaneswar, Dec 13: Tata Power–led electricity distribution companies in Odisha have witnessed a sharp acceleration in rooftop solar adoption under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, with total rooftop solar connections crossing 2100 across the state. Early consumer outcomes indicate that 70% of participating households recorded 90% reduction in bills with 300 consumers getting zero electricity bills within the first month of implementation, underscoring the immediate financial impact of the initiative.
Launched exclusively in Odisha under the guidance of the Government of Odisha, the ULA model represents a structural shift in the delivery of residential rooftop solar. Now, the payable entry cost has been further brought down from ₹5,000 earlier to ₹1,875, significantly lowering adoption barriers by reducing the consumer’s upfront contribution by 62.5%. This reduction in upfront cost will be central to enabling widespread participation across urban, semi-urban and rural areas of the state.
A key enabler of the ULA model’s success has been the integration of rooftop solar systems with smart meters, which allows consumers to seamlessly export surplus power back to the grid. This integration ensures accurate energy accounting, faster settlement and improved consumer confidence, while also strengthening grid efficiency and supporting decentralised power generation.
The discom-led aggregation approach simplifies the entire rooftop solar journey by centralising vendor selection, installation, quality assurance and maintenance. This has addressed long-standing concerns related to cost, complexity and service reliability, resulting in strong consumer response within a short period of launch.
The expansion of rooftop solar under the ULA framework aligns closely with the vision of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which seeks to empower households through decentralised solar energy, reduce electricity expenditure and promote sustainable consumption.
Commenting on the milestone, Gajanan Kale, Chief- Odisha Distribution, Tata Power & CEO, TPNODL said, “The Utility-Led Aggregation model reflects a strong partnership between Tata Power led Odisha discoms and the Government of Odisha to make rooftop solar affordable, reliable and accessible. The encouraging response of the ULA Model demonstrates the growing confidence of consumers in
DISCOM-led clean energy solutions. Early zero-bill outcomes clearly show how rooftop solar can deliver direct financial benefits while supporting Odisha’s transition to sustainable energy.”
Among the four utilities, TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL) has emerged as the leading DISCOM in rooftop solar adoption, while TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited, TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited and TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited have also reported steady growth, collectively strengthening Odisha’s transition towards a clean, consumer-centric and future-ready power ecosystem.
