As solar power expands across India, the demand for trained workers who can install and maintain solar systems is growing alongside it. From rooftop installations in residential buildings to large-scale solar power plants, the sector requires skilled professionals who understand the technology and its practical applications.
The Suryamitra Skill Development Programme seeks to address this need by training eligible youth for technical roles in the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector. In Uttar Pradesh, the initiative aligns with the state’s broader efforts to expand solar energy capacity while developing a workforce equipped to support the transition.
Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the programme is implemented through the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram, and its selected training centres. It is designed to build technical capacity for India’s growing solar energy industry.
WHAT IS THE SURYAMITRA PROGRAMME?
Suryamitra provides specialised training in solar PV technology, preparing participants for work related to the installation, operation and maintenance of solar power systems.
According to MNRE, the prescribed training programme runs for three months, covering 600 hours of instruction and practical learning. The curriculum includes classroom sessions, laboratory work, exposure to solar PV plants, on-the-job training, soft skills and entrepreneurship development.
The combination of technical instruction and practical exposure is intended to familiarise trainees with the equipment, procedures and workplace requirements involved in solar energy projects.
The programme’s stated minimum eligibility criteria include a Class 10 qualification and an ITI qualification in a relevant trade. These may include electrician, wireman, electronics mechanic, fitter and sheet metal, subject to the applicable training guidelines.
Assessment and certification are conducted by the Skill Council for Green Jobs or other institutions approved by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as applicable under programme guidelines.
UTTAR PRADESH’S PUSH TO DEVELOP SOLAR SKILLS
Uttar Pradesh has identified skill development as part of its broader solar energy expansion strategy. The Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022 sets a target of training 30,000 youth as Suryamitras through training centres associated with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) over five years.
This is a policy target, not a figure representing the number of candidates who have already completed training.
UPNEDA serves as the state’s nodal agency for solar energy initiatives. As the state encourages solar power projects and residential rooftop installations, the need for trained personnel capable of installing and maintaining these systems becomes increasingly important.
The Suryamitra programme supports this objective by developing technical skills relevant to the solar industry. Training is delivered through approved centres, with the availability of courses and active batches depending on the programme’s implementation arrangements.
The policy target reflects the state’s intention to develop a workforce alongside its renewable energy infrastructure. Actual progress will depend on the number of trainees enrolled, trained and certified, as well as the availability of opportunities in the sector.
SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Beyond technical knowledge, the Suryamitra programme incorporates soft skills and entrepreneurship training to help participants prepare for the workplace.
The technical component covers skills associated with solar PV installation, equipment handling, system operation and maintenance. Practical exposure helps trainees understand how these systems function and the requirements involved in working on solar projects.
The training can open pathways to employment with solar companies, installation agencies and other businesses operating in the renewable energy sector. Participants may also explore self-employment opportunities, depending on their qualifications, practical experience and local market demand.
However, completing the programme does not guarantee employment. Job opportunities depend on factors including industry demand, employer requirements, individual skills and the availability of work in a particular location. Employment facilitation through training institutions should not be confused with a guaranteed placement for every trainee.
BUILDING THE WORKFORCE FOR A CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION
The expansion of solar energy depends on more than equipment, financing and government incentives. It also requires a workforce capable of installing systems correctly, maintaining their performance and addressing technical problems.
By providing specialised training to eligible youth, Suryamitra seeks to develop this workforce and support the operational requirements of India’s renewable energy sector.
In Uttar Pradesh, the target of training 30,000 Suryamitras under the state’s solar policy links skill development with the expansion of solar power infrastructure. The programme offers a route for eligible candidates to acquire industry-relevant technical skills while helping address the sector’s workforce needs.
Its longer-term contribution will depend on effective training, certification, employment opportunities and the continued growth of solar installations across the state. As Uttar Pradesh pursues its renewable energy ambitions, developing a skilled technical workforce will remain an important part of translating policy targets into functioning solar power systems.
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