Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Who maintains the millions of rooftop panels across 600,000 villages? Enter the suryamitras.
Since 2024, the Skill India Mission has certified over 1.5 lakh solar technicians, specifically targeting rural youth and ITI graduates. In 2026, the suryamitra has become the new ‘mobile repairman’ of the hinterland.
”It’s a dignity-first job,” says 22-year-old Rahul from Satna, who runs a solar-cleaning startup with three friends. Using specialised telescopic brushes and drones for larger installations, Rahul’s team services 40 villages.
“People used to leave for the city to work as security guards. Now, we stay in the village, wear a uniform, and carry a multimeter. We are the ‘Doctors of the Roof’,” he stresses.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) estimates that for every 1MW of rooftop solar installed, 25 direct jobs are created in maintenance and operations – making solar the largest blue-collar employer of 2026.