New Delhi: The MoA for implementation of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems across 76 ICAR institutes was signed in the presence of Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR; Shri Sandeep Sarkar, Additional Secretary, DARE and Financial Advisor, ICAR; Shri Gyanendra D. Tripathi, IAS, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; and Shri Prince Dhawan, IAS, CEO, RECPDCL. The MoA was signed by Shri Jaspal Singh Kushwaha, General Manager, Renewable Division, RECPDCL, and Shri Kumar Rajesh, Director (GAC), ICAR.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex organisation for coordinating agricultural research and education in India under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, for the implementation of grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across 76 ICAR institutes spanning 24 States and Union Territories.

Under the agreement, rooftop solar PV systems with an aggregate capacity of 11,109.87 kW (11.1 MW) will be implemented on a turnkey basis. The project is expected to generate approximately 1.73 crore units of clean electricity annually, contributing to reduced dependence on conventional energy and promoting sustainable energy use across India’s agricultural research infrastructure.

The projects will be funded by ICAR, while RECPDCL will serve as the designated Turnkey Implementation Partner. RECPDCL will undertake end-to-end implementation through its empanelled EPC-cum-O&M agencies, covering design, engineering, supply, installation, testing and commissioning, followed by five years of comprehensive Operation & Maintenance (O&M).

The MoA was signed in the presence of Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR; Shri Sandeep Sarkar, Additional Secretary, DARE and Financial Advisor, ICAR; Shri Gyanendra D. Tripathi, IAS, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; and Shri Prince Dhawan, IAS, CEO, RECPDCL. The MoA was signed by Shri Jaspal Singh Kushwaha, General Manager, Renewable Division, RECPDCL, and Shri Kumar Rajesh, Director (GAC), ICAR.

RECPDCL’s role in the initiative stems from its designation by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as the Scheme Implementation Partner (SIP) for Government Building Solarisation under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

The initiative marks a significant step towards accelerating the adoption of renewable energy across government institutions and supporting the Government of India’s broader objectives of clean energy transition, energy efficiency and sustainable development.

REC’s Executive Director S. Jayanthi, who led the PMSGY team, urged national vendors to deploy adequate manpower and brand owners to expand their channel partner networks across the state to facilitate faster installations. Discussions also focused on increasing vendor participation, ensuring quality of rooftop solar systems, vendor rating, training and capacity building. REC assured stakeholders of necessary support to address implementation challenges faced by vendors, consumers and DISCOMs and to further accelerate rooftop solar adoption under the scheme.

Sh. Sudeep Jain, Addl. Secretary, MNRE & Sh. V.K. Singh , Director (Projects), REC along with senior officers of REC and the participating states, DISCOMs, and agencies of renewable energy of States were also present during the meeting.

The Union minister urged people to take advantage of the scheme and avail the benefit of up to 300 units of free electricity every month.

NTPC has been honoured with multiple accolades at the 15th National Safety Conclave, receiving the prestigious Kalinga Safety Excellence Awards in recognition of its outstanding commitment to workplace safety and management. NTPC Vindhyachal, NTPC Talcher Thermal, NTPC Gadarwara, NSPCL Rourkela, NTPC Lara, and NTECL Vallur were awarded in the Platinum Category, while NTPC Dadri was recognized in the Gold Category.

These awards, presented by Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, highlight NTPC’s innovative use of digital technology and reinforce its position as a leader in safety excellence across its operations.