By: Aditya Ahuja
The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Launched on February 13, this ambitious scheme, with a total budget of Rs.75,021 crore, aims to install rooftop solar panels in one crore households, providing free electricity for up to 300 units per month.
Central Financial Assistance
Under this groundbreaking initiative, residential rooftop solar installations receive substantial support. The scheme offers a 60% Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for 2 kW systems, with an additional 40% for systems ranging from 2 to 3 kW. The CFA is capped at 3 kW, translating to substantial subsidies, such as Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW, and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW or higher systems.
Households can apply for subsidies through the National Portal, streamlining the process and aiding in vendor selection. Collateral-free, low-interest loans at around 7% are also available for residential solar systems up to 3 kW.
Model Solar Villages
Beyond individual households, the scheme envisions the development of a Model Solar Village in each district, acting as a beacon for rural rooftop solar adoption. Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions stand to gain incentives for promoting rooftop solar installations in their respective areas.
The scheme also allocates funds for payment security in Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) models and supports innovative rooftop solar projects.
Outcomes and Impact
PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana promises substantial benefits for households. Apart from saving on electricity bills, households can earn additional income by selling surplus power to DISCOMs. A 3 kW system is estimated to generate over 300 units monthly, providing a substantial renewable energy source.
The scheme’s impact is not limited to individual households. It is expected to add 30 GW of solar capacity through residential rooftop installations, generating 1000 BUs of electricity and reducing CO2 equivalent emissions by 720 million tonnes over the 25-year lifetime of rooftop systems.
Furthermore, the initiative is anticipated to create around 17 lakh direct jobs, spanning manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales, installation, and maintenance services.
Availing Benefits of PM-Surya Ghar
The government has kickstarted an extensive awareness campaign since the launch of the scheme. Interested households can register on [pmsuryaghar.gov.in](https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in) to access the array of benefits offered by this transformative initiative.