New Delhi: The cabinet has approved the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to install rooftop solar in one crore households with a total outlay of Rs. 75,021 crore.
The scheme, launched by the Prime Minister on February 13, 2024, offers central financial assistance in the form of a subsidy.
The subsidy amounts to Rs. 30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs. 60,000 for 2 kW systems, and Rs. 78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher. The initiative is part of efforts to promote solar energy and make it more accessible for households in India.
Under the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, households can apply for the subsidy through a national portal and choose a suitable vendor for installing rooftop solar.
The initiative aims to make it easier for households to access collateral-free, low-interest loans, currently at around 7%, for the installation of rooftop solar systems. Furthermore, a Model Solar Village will be developed in each district to serve as a role model for the adoption of rooftop solar in rural areas. The scheme emphasizes promoting solar energy adoption across various segments of society.
Under the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the Central Government aims to provide substantive subsidies directly to people’s bank accounts, ensuring no cost burden on the beneficiaries. The scheme will integrate all stakeholders through a National Online Portal, enhancing convenience.
To promote the scheme at the grassroots level, urban local bodies and panchayats will be incentivized to encourage the adoption of rooftop solar systems in their respective jurisdictions. This multi-pronged approach aims to accelerate the uptake of solar energy and contribute to sustainable power generation across the country.
Rooftop solar is poised to play a significant role in India’s renewable energy landscape, aligning with the country’s ambitious target of generating 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. The substantial increase in solar capacity additions from 6,510 MW in 2019-20 to 12,760 MW in 2021-22 underscores the growing momentum in solar energy generation.
Emphasizing the importance of rooftop solar, Neeraj Kuldeep, a senior program lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), highlights its positive impact on consumers, overall power costs, and energy security. The focus on rooftop solar aligns with India’s broader efforts to transition towards sustainable and clean energy sources.
#Cabinet approves PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana for installing rooftop solar in One Crore households with a total outlay of Rs.75,021 crore
— Manish Desai (@DG_PIB) February 29, 2024
Prime Minister had launched the scheme on 13th February, 2024#CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/yZsnT3Fl6o
How to apply for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:
1) Open https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in
2) Click Apply for Rooftop Solar
3) You have to register first with these details – State, Electricity Distribution Company, Electricity Consumer Number, Mobile Number, and Email.
4) Once done, login with your mobile number to proceed further.
5) You can now apply for the Rooftop scheme. You have to submit bank detail at any stage of the application.
6) Once you get the feasibility approval, get the plant installed by any of the registered vendors in your DISCOM
7) Once installation is completed , submit the plant details and apply for net meter
8) Commissioning certificate will be generated from the portal, after installation of net meter and inspection by DISCOM
9)Once you get the commissioning report. Submit the bank account details and a cancelled cheque through the portal. You will receive your subsidy in your bank account within 30 days.