PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a flagship government scheme to promote rooftop solar installations for households, and it was launched in 2024.

  • Under the Ministry of  New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
  • It is a central sector scheme.
  • The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every month.

Implementation

  • National Level: Managed by the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA).
  • State Level: Managed by State Implementation Agencies (SIAs), which are the Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs) or Power/Energy Departments of the respective states or UTs.

Subsidy

  • The scheme provides subsidies to reduce the cost of installing solar rooftop systems. The subsidy is capped at 3kW.
    • 60% subsidy for solar systems up to 2kW capacity.
    • 40% subsidy for systems between 2kW to 3kW capacity.

Additional Features

  • A “Model Solar Village” will be developed in each district to serve as a demonstration project and promote rooftop solar adoption in rural areas.
  • Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions will receive incentives to promote rooftop solar installations in their respective areas.
  • Collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh at a 6.75% subsidised interest rate through 12 Public Sector Banks.

 

Fact

  • Chandigarh and Daman & Diu have achieved 100% of their rooftop solar targets for government buildings.
  • Gujarat is the top-performing state in solar rooftop installations, followed by Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Solar Potential of India

  • As per the study India has a total potential of 10,830 GW, including 4,909 GW from ground-mounted, 4,177 GW from Agri-PV, and 960 GW from rooftop solar.
  • Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka hold high potential due to large, arid landmasses and high solar irradiation.

 

Source: The  Hindu