REConnect Lucknow 2026 Highlights Rooftop Solar Surge, Energy Storage Push and Hydro Innovation in UP
At REConnect Lucknow 2026, policymakers, industry leaders and renewable energy experts came together to deliberate on UP’s accelerating clean energy transition. The discussion focused on the rapid rise of rooftop solar, the growing urgency around energy storage integration, and emerging opportunities in pumped storage and canal-based hydro projects.
February 21, 2026. By News Bureau
Speaking at the event, Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, Former Director General of the Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) and Former Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), emphasised that rooftop solar is particularly crucial for a large state like UP.
“For a large state like UP, where the potential for utility-scale solar is relatively limited due to moderate solar resources and land availability challenges, rooftop solar becomes extremely important,” he noted.
He added that decentralised schemes such as the Kusum solar rooftop initiative have gained momentum and are expected to accelerate further. However, he stressed that “both regulatory support and strong implementation support are essential,” even as existing gaps are gradually being addressed.
Chaturvedi also underlined that maximising rooftop deployment is the most effective way for UP to contribute meaningfully to national solar targets.
UP Tripathi, Secretary of the Solar Energy Vendors Association (SEVA), highlighted the urgency of building reliable 24/7 energy systems.
He observed that global geopolitical and economic tensions increasingly revolve around energy security, making storage integration critical. “We are very fortunate to live on a planet — and in a country — where we do not face such severe resource constraints. We receive adequate solar energy,” he said, while calling for stronger emphasis on energy storage to ensure round-the-clock supply.
Rahul Sharma, Director – Projects at Doosan Power Systems India Pvt. Ltd., traced the sector’s transition from conventional coal and large hydro projects to renewables and energy storage during the discussion.
With experience spanning companies such as Toshiba and Doosan Heavy Industries, Sharma emphasised that Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) are playing an increasingly important role in grid stability. He cited large-scale developments including 4x250 MW pumped storage projects with variable frequency drives, noting that such systems can provide six to seven hours of storage support.
While batteries are also advancing, he pointed out that gestation periods and capital costs remain high. “The Government of India has already put energy storage as a mission priority, and many corporates have taken up the challenge,” he said, expressing optimism that storage integration will significantly strengthen the national energy mix.
Sharing the state’s perspective Sanjay, SPO, UPNEDA, detailed UP’s efforts in small hydel and pumped storage development under the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).
Drawing from his early experience in small hydel projects, including two 200 kW projects in Nainital that supplied electricity to 37 villages, he highlighted the value of decentralised hydro development.
Given the state’s limited perennial water resources, UP is exploring PSP opportunities in regions such as Sonbhadra and Bundelkhand, while addressing forest and environmental clearances in line with regulatory norms.
He also spoke about a “Surface Hydro Kinetics” initiative leveraging the state’s extensive canal network of around 11,000 kilometres. Floating turbines are being proposed on major trunk canals, with one firm indicating potential development of nearly 2,000 MW under Invest UP. Pilot sites have been identified along the Upper and Lower Ganga canals, with scale-up expected upon successful implementation.
Speaking further, Upkari Nath, Independent Consultant (Supporting UPNEDA), RMI India Program, highlighted the transformative impact of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana in UP.
Since the scheme’s launch on 13 February, 2024, rooftop solar capacity in the state has reached approximately 300 MW, generating over 6 million units of electricity daily. Vendor participation has expanded from around 400 to nearly 5,000 registered vendors, including both startups and established industry players.
On average, UP is now installing 1,400–1,500 rooftop plants per day, compared to 400 earlier. The state has also recorded a national high of 2,023 installations in a single day. Daily capacity addition stands at roughly 4.5–5 MW, translating to INR 18–20 crore worth of rooftop solar business per day.
Districts such as Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Bareilly and Agra have shown strong performance, particularly where grid-connected systems benefit from reliable infrastructure and subsidy support.
However, Nath noted that hybrid systems pose financing challenges. While central assistance provides up to INR 2 lakh support for a 3 kW system, battery integration increases costs and currently lacks dedicated loan provisions. Raising the financing limit to around INR 2.5 lakh could significantly support rural hybrid adoption, he suggested.
Echoing similar sentiments, Pankaj Kumar, Managing Director, Power Group, underscored the role of vendor expansion and decentralised implementation in accelerating rooftop deployment.
He highlighted the importance of centralised monitoring combined with decentralised execution, ensuring timely net metering, banking coordination and micro-level oversight.
To expand adoption in rural areas, innovative models such as “Solar Chaupal” — where entire gram panchayats are adopted and upfront consumer costs are minimised — are being implemented in districts like Varanasi. Such models, supported by banks and local administration, are helping drive inclusive solar adoption.
The discussions at REConnect Lucknow 2026 made it clear that UP’s clean energy transition hinges on three pillars: accelerated rooftop solar deployment, scaled-up pumped storage and energy storage systems, and innovative hydro solutions leveraging existing canal infrastructure.
While financing for hybrid systems and regulatory streamlining remain key challenges, the alignment of policy support, vendor ecosystem growth and decentralised governance is positioning the state as a significant contributor to India’s renewable energy ambitions.
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