MNRE’s ₹2.3 Cr Startup Challenge Fuels India’s Clean Energy Future

In a significant push for innovation in India’s clean energy landscape, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a ₹2.3 crore Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge. Announced during the National Conference on Skill Development for Renewable Energy Workforce at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi, this national initiative is designed to catalyze creative solutions in rooftop solar (RTS) and distributed renewable energy (DRE) technologies.

This initiative reflects India’s growing commitment to meeting ambitious clean energy targets while fostering innovation and inclusivity in its energy transition.

What is the Start-Up Challenge About?

The challenge, supported by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and coordinated with Startup India (DPIIT), seeks to empower entrepreneurs and technologists to create breakthrough innovations in clean energy.

It aims to target real-world challenges across four key domains:

🔹 Affordability

Can you make rooftop solar systems accessible to low- and middle-income families?
This category seeks innovations in financing models, modular systems, and cost-effective deployment, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

🔹 Resilience

How can we make solar energy systems safer and more reliable?
Ideas enhancing grid stability, cyber security, and resilience against climate disasters in remote and disaster-prone regions are welcome.

🔹 Inclusivity

Can solar power reach every Indian home and community?
Innovations that extend solar access to marginalized groups using models like community solar, virtual net metering, and inclusive financing are sought after.

🔹 Environmental Sustainability

How can we make solar truly green?
This stream encourages ideas like solar panel recycling, land-neutral deployment, and hybrid renewable systems that integrate solar, wind, or bio-energy.

Who Can Apply?

From green-tech innovators to AI and fintech startups, the challenge is open to:

• IoT-based energy solutions

• Blockchain for energy tracking

• Smart grid and metering tech

• Waste management systems for solar recycling

• Affordable solar construction hardware

Whether you’re a student-founded startup or a scaling clean-tech company, MNRE wants your ideas.

What’s at Stake?

💰 Prize Pool: ₹2.3 Crore

• 1st Prize: ₹1 crore

• 2nd Prize: ₹50 lakh

• 3rd Prize: ₹30 lakh

• 10 Consolation Prizes: ₹5 lakh each

🌱 Additional Support

Winners will receive:

• Incubation support from top green-tech hubs

• Pilot implementation opportunities across India

• Mentorship from renewable energy experts and investors

All of this will be facilitated through MNRE and NISE’s institutional networks.

Important Dates & How to Apply

• Last Date to Apply: 20th August 2025

• Results Announcement: 10th September 2025

📌 Apply Now via Startup India Portal:
Click here to apply

Why This Matters

India has set a goal of 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030. However, rooftop solar still lags behind ground-mounted systems. The real bottlenecks? Affordability, accessibility, and last-mile innovation.

By encouraging homegrown talent to solve these gaps, this challenge doesn’t just offer funding—it cultivates India’s next generation of energy leaders.

If your startup can simplify solar, strengthen systems, or safeguard the environment, this is your call to shine.