A new report by the environment think tank iFOREST has estimated that Assam holds the potential to produce up to 13,428 megawatts of electricity through rooftop solar installations. This solar power capacity, if fully utilised, could generate approximately 1.8 lakh direct jobs in the state, particularly in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance roles.
Released on 20 June at an event in Guwahati, the study titled Rooftop Solar Potential in Assam presents a detailed assessment of rooftop solar capacity across districts, cities, and wards. The event, organised under the banner Sunrise Assam, was held in coordination with the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), which is the nodal body for solar rooftop implementation in the state.
The report identifies Guwahati as a major urban hub for rooftop solar power generation, with potential estimates ranging between 625 and 984 MW. Key zones include Lokhra, Garbhanga, Sarusajai, Bor Sojai and Sawkuchi. Ward-level analysis shows Gorchuk, Betkuchi, Jalukbari, Kahilipara and Machkhowa as having the highest potential. Across the state, about 95 percent of total rooftop solar capacity lies in residential and mixed-use buildings.
The research, which combined satellite imagery, policy review, and stakeholder consultations, notes that Assam’s total rooftop solar potential is more than ten times the current target of 1,900 MW set under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2025. With Assam’s total built-up area of 737.1 square kilometres—most of it in rural areas—the study sees rooftop solar as a viable land-neutral option for expanding clean energy access.
Addressing the gathering, Hirdesh Mishra, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Climate Change) and CEO of the Assam Climate Change Management Society, described the state’s clean energy transition as urgent, given its vulnerability to climate change. He noted that while fossil fuel use will continue in the near term, decentralised solar power represents an important shift. He added that the viability of solar rooftops will improve as installation costs decline.
Baishali Talukdar, Deputy Manager in APDCL’s New and Renewable Energy Division, shared that around 20,000 rooftop solar installations have been completed in Assam under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, accounting for nearly 60 MW in capacity. However, challenges persist, including limited awareness among consumers, a shortage of qualified vendors, upfront cost burdens, and delays in securing loans. She stated that APDCL is addressing these issues through digital platforms, vendor empanelment, and awareness campaigns.
iFOREST Programme Director Mandvi Singh explained that rooftop solar presents a more feasible solution for Assam than large-scale renewable energy projects, due to land constraints and acquisition difficulties. She said that the state’s unused rooftop space offers a significant opportunity for expanding energy access sustainably and quickly, provided that appropriate incentives and policies are in place.
The report highlights a range of structural and financial barriers that need to be addressed. These include limited credit access for commercial and industrial users, inconsistencies in metering and subsidy regulations, voltage fluctuations, and quality concerns amid rapid market growth. It also notes that there is a need for stronger workforce training and vendor accreditation to ensure standardised installations.
Among its key recommendations, the study calls for greater focus on high-potential areas such as Guwahati’s mixed-use zones and the Barak Valley. It suggests implementing the PM Surya Ghar Yojana in a mission mode at the district level, expanding local solar manufacturing capacity to lower costs and boost job creation, and finalising regulatory reforms such as virtual net metering. Other suggestions include mandating rooftop solar in new buildings, promoting models like APDCL’s Utility-Based CAPEX scheme to support lower-income households, and enabling access to concessional finance and storage solutions through targeted incentives.
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