Pune: Maharashtra is making significant progress in adopting sustainable solar energy, with the sector creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth in rural areas, said Gopal Kabra, chairman and managing director of GK Energy.“Reducing dependence on conventional energy sources, increasing the use of renewable energy and promoting environmentally sustainable development are the need of the hour. Wider adoption of solar energy in rural areas can not only help conserve energy but also promote skill development and self-employment at the local level,” Kabra said.He was speaking at the conclusion of ‘Saur Samvad 2026’, a solar energy awareness initiative jointly organised by the Gopal Kabra Foundation and GK Energy. The week-long campaign concluded on Sunday at Mayfield Estate in Kharadi, Pune, after covering 14 districts across Maharashtra between October 12 and 18.The journey began in Ahilyanagar and covered Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Dhule, Buldhana, Amravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Washim, Nanded, Latur, Solapur and Kolhapur before culminating in Pune.The initiative aimed to raise awareness about solar energy adoption, highlight business and employment opportunities in the sector, and familiarise citizens, farmers, entrepreneurs and local businesses with solar technologies.“Solar energy is not merely an alternative for electricity generation; it is also an effective means of strengthening the rural economy and creating employment opportunities. There is a need to take information about the technology and its benefits to the wider public to accelerate its adoption,” Kabra said, adding that the campaign received an encouraging response across the districts.The campaign also focused on enabling more than 1,000 entrepreneurs in the coming years by providing practical guidance on business opportunities across the solar energy value chain.These include rooftop solar systems for residential properties, commercial solar projects, solar agricultural pumps, energy storage solutions, installation and maintenance services and distribution. Participants were also given guidance on establishing local businesses in sales, servicing and technical support.The initiative sought to encourage local entrepreneurship by connecting the growing demand for solar energy with opportunities for skilled workers, service providers and small businesses in rural and semi-urban areas.
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