Delhi Assembly Becomes India’s First Legislature to Run Entirely on Solar Power

The Delhi Legislative Assembly has made history by becoming the first legislature in India to be powered entirely by solar energy. The achievement comes with the commissioning of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant, marking a milestone in sustainable governance.

Alongside this green energy transition, the Assembly has also launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), paving the way for paperless legislative functioning under the Centre’s “One Nation, One Application” initiative.

Solarisation for Sustainability

The solar power plant, installed on the Assembly rooftop, is expected to reduce electricity expenses by ₹15 lakh per month, translating into annual savings of around ₹1.75 crore. These savings, according to Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, will be redirected to developmental projects across the capital.

The project also features net metering, enabling the Assembly to potentially supply surplus electricity back to the grid.

“This is not just an infrastructure upgrade, but a shift in institutional values.”

Blending Legacy with Modernisation

• The historic significance of the building, which was constructed in 1912 and once housed India’s first Parliament.
• “Virasat aur Vikaas saath chalega (Legacy and development will go together),”underscoring the balance between heritage and technological progress.

NeVA – A Paperless Legislative Future

The NeVA platform, set to be fully implemented in the upcoming Monsoon Session, will allow MLAs to work in a digitally enabled environment.

Key features include,

• Smart delegate units with microphones and voting panels.
• RFID/NFC-based secure access for members.
• Multilingual support for debates and proceedings.
• Real-time access to legislative documents on iPads.
• Automated audiovisual system with HD cameras.
• Secure, power-backed networking for uninterrupted sessions.

A successful trial run was conducted with MLAs before the official launch, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the system.

A Model for State Legislatures

With its 100% solar power operation and digital legislative process, the Delhi Assembly has set a national benchmark for combining sustainability and digital governance. The model is expected to inspire other state legislatures to adopt similar green and paperless initiatives.