New and Renewable Energy Department has decided to open Akshay Urja Shops at 328 places in all development blocks to popularise alternative energy equipments. So far, 270 alternative energy shops have been opened from where solar streetlights, homelights, solar water heaters, solar cookers, solar lanterns, bio-mass cook stoves, mobile charger and lED bulbs are being sold. The shops have made turnover of Rs70 crore so far.
On opening of an alternative energy shops at development block level, common people are getting information about these equipment and youths have got employment opportunities. The State Government has decided to give Rs10,000 incentive as recurring grant on turnover of Rs30,000 per month to shop operators. A team of about 2000 technicians has come up in the private sector of the state for repairs and maintenance of alternative energy equipments. Energy Development Corporation has also imparted training to these technicians. Alternative energy shops are being run in Bhopal at Urja Bhavan near Bus Stop No. 5 on link Road Number 2.