Solar energy is a definite solution to the increasing energy needs of our times. This is evident from solar rooftop installations growing at a rate of over 18% in 2017. In a recent document published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), it has been established that India today receives more than 5000 trillion kWh/year of solar radiation, which is far more than its total annual energy requirement. Indian cities and towns are experiencing rapid growth in their peak electricity demand. The local governments and the electricity utilities are finding it difficult to cope with this rapid rise in demand. As a result, most of the cities/towns are facing electricity shortages. In this context, the ‘Development of Solar Cities’ programme is designed to support/encourage urban local bodies to prepare a roadmap to guide their cities in becoming ‘solar cities’. The government has already initiated various programmes in the urban sector for promoting solar water heating systems in homes, hotels, hostels, hospitals and industry; deployment of Solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems/ devices in urban areas for demonstration and awareness creation; establishment of ‘Akshya Urja shops’; design of solar buildings; and urban and industrial waste-/biomass-to-energy projects. The solar city programme aims to consolidate all the efforts of the Ministry in the Urban Sector and address the energy problem of urban areas in a holistic manner.