CREST Targets 1,600 CHB Homes in Chandigarh for Rooftop Solar Adoption.

After near-saturation of solar installations on government buildings, Chandigarh shifts focus to residential consumers under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.

Chandigarh is accelerating its rooftop solar push by targeting nearly 1,600 independent Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) houses under the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The initiative comes after the UT administration achieved near-saturation of solar installations across feasible government buildings. The Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has launched a focused outreach campaign to encourage residential solar adoption. Camps organised over the weekend attracted around 400 residents, who received information on government subsidies, financing options and the benefits of installing rooftop solar systems. Representatives from CREST, Chandigarh Power Distribution Ltd (CPDL) and banks were present to address residents’ queries and explain both loan and non-loan installation models. The sector-wise identification of independent CHB houses is expected to support targeted outreach. With the focus now shifting towards private residences, the initiative aims to reduce electricity bills, promote clean energy and increase rooftop solar adoption across Chandigarh.