DS Group, TERI Partner to Make Barota a Net-Zero Village
New Delhi, October 28, 2026: The Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group) has partnered with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to launch the ‘Powering Barota Towards Net Zero Village’ project in Barota village, Karnal district, Haryana. The initiative aims to expand rooftop solar adoption, promote clean energy and support sustainable rural development.
The project is part of DS Group’s ongoing community development programme in Barota, which focuses on education, health, the environment and livelihoods. It aims to facilitate the installation of on-grid rooftop solar systems across all eligible households in the village, with a planned capacity of at least 3 kW per household.
Barota has approximately 550 households, offering scope for wider adoption of rooftop solar energy. However, limited awareness, documentation requirements, gaps in technical guidance and upfront costs can create barriers for rural families seeking to access government-supported solar programmes.
To address these challenges, the initiative will focus on community awareness, beneficiary mobilisation, documentation assistance, technical guidance, financial support and facilitation of government subsidies.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Prabhakant Jain, General Manager, Sustainability and CSR, DS Group, said, “The project Powering Barota Towards Net Zero Village reflects DS Group’s commitment to community-centred, sustainable development. By bringing together corporate social responsibility, technical expertise and government programmes, the initiative seeks to make clean energy more accessible to rural households and support a cleaner, more energy-resilient future.”
Dr Amit Kumar Thakur, Director (Head CSR & Director), TERI, said, "Through our partnership with DS Group on the 'Powering Barota Towards Net Zero' initiative, TERI is proud to demonstrate how CSR-led interventions can accelerate India's clean energy transition at the grassroots level. By enabling rooftop solar and integrating renewable energy into community infrastructure, Barota is set to become a pioneering model for sustainable rural development. Building on the momentum of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with DS Group across broader ESG outcomes and leveraging these insights to scale impactful solutions nationwide."
The project aims to help eligible households reduce electricity expenses, adopt cleaner energy sources and contribute to lower carbon emissions by facilitating access to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and related government support.
Through the partnership, DS Group and TERI seek to encourage community participation in the clean energy transition and demonstrate an approach to renewable energy adoption at the village level. The initiative aspires to establish Barota as a replicable model for rural clean energy development, supporting energy self-reliance, environmental sustainability and India's broader climate action goals.
