PM SURYA GHAR MUFT BIJLI YOJANA
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a government initiative launched to provide free electricity to households in India through the installation of rooftop solar panels.
BASICS OF THE SCHEME:
- Launched in February, 2024
- The scheme aims to make India’s households energy-independent and reduce the financial burden on the government by promoting the use of solar energy.
PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME
- As of December 2024, 1.45 crore registrations have been received under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with 6.34 lakh rooftop solar installations already completed.
- The scheme aims to achieve 1 crore rooftop solar installations in the residential sector by FY 2026-27 with a total budget of Rs 75,021 crore.
- Out of the total registrations, 26.38 lakh applications have been processed, and 3.66 lakh applicants have received subsidies.
- The subsidy is being released regularly within 15-21 days to eligible applicants.
TOP PERFORMING STATES
- Gujarat has seen the highest number of installations, with 2,86,545 solar systems installed.
- Maharashtra follows with 1,26,344 installations, and Uttar Pradesh has 53,423
KEY FEATURES
- Subsidy for Solar Panel Installation:
- Households can receive a subsidy that covers up to 40% of the cost of installing solar panels on their roofs.
- Free Electricity:
- Eligible families can get up to 300 units of free electricity per month, saving up to Rs 18,000 annually.
- Government Savings:
- The scheme is estimated to help the government save Rs 75,000 crore per year in electricity costs.
- Financial Outlay:
- The total financial outlay for the scheme is Rs 75,021 crore, and it is expected to be implemented until FY 2026-27.
BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME
- Free electricity for eligible households.
- Lower electricity costs for the government, as more households shift to solar power.
- Promotion of renewable energy through increased use of solar power.
- Reduction in carbon emissions, supporting India’s environmental goals.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- The household must be an Indian citizen.
- The household must own a house with a roof suitable for installing solar panels.
- The household must have a valid electricity connection.
- The household should not have previously received any other subsidy for solar panels.
ROLE OF DISCOMs
- DISCOMs (Distribution Companies) are designated as State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) responsible for various activities related to the scheme, such as:
- Ensuring net meter availability.
- Conducting timely inspections.
- Commissioning installations.
- Incentives for DISCOMs: DISCOMs will receive financial incentives based on their success in installing additional grid-connected rooftop solar systems beyond a baseline level.
- The total financial outlay for this incentive component is Rs 4,950 crore.
CONCLUSION
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a significant step towards energy independence, promoting sustainable energy, and offering financial relief to households across India. With an ambitious goal of installing 1 crore rooftop solar systems, the scheme not only aims to benefit millions of families but also helps the country reduce its dependency on conventional energy sources and lower its carbon footprint.
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