In the capital city of New Delhi, the government greenlit a groundbreaking initiative on Thursday: the rooftop solar endeavor known as PM-Surya Ghar: Mufti Bijli Yojna, boasting a substantial allocation of Rs 75,021 crore. This scheme aims to bestow a subsidy of up to Rs 78,000 for the establishment of solar facilities and a complimentary monthly power quota of 300 units for one crore households. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, elucidated the details during a media briefing subsequent to the Union Cabinet meeting, disclosing the go-ahead for this novel initiative focused on rooftop solar implementation and the provision of gratis electricity for a significant number of households.
According to an official statement, the Union Cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted approval for PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, delineating a comprehensive financial plan of Rs 75,021 crore to facilitate rooftop solar installation and supply free electricity of up to 300 units per month for a staggering one crore households. The official inauguration of the scheme took place on the 13th of February 2024.
This scheme encompasses a central financial assistance (CFA) structure, entailing 60 percent coverage of the system cost for 2 kW systems and 40 percent for additional system capacities ranging from 2 kW to 3 kW. The CFA is capped at 3 kW, translating to a subsidy of 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, based on prevailing benchmark prices.
To partake in the subsidy, households will engage the National Portal, enabling them to select an appropriate vendor for the installation of rooftop solar. The National Portal aims to aid households in their decision-making process by furnishing pertinent information such as recommended system sizes, a benefits calculator, vendor ratings, and more.
Apart from the subsidy, households can access unsecured, low-interest loan products, currently hovering around 7 percent, for the installation of residential rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW. One noteworthy facet of the initiative is the establishment of a Model Solar Village in each district, serving as a paradigm for the integration of rooftop solar in rural settings.
Furthermore, Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions stand to gain incentives for fostering rooftop solar installations in their jurisdictions. The initiative also earmarks a segment for payment security in renewable energy service company (RESCO)-based models and allocates funds for innovative projects in rooftop solar.
This groundbreaking scheme not only promises reductions in electricity bills but also provides an avenue for households to earn supplementary income by selling surplus power to DISCOMs. A 3 kW system is anticipated to generate over 300 units per month on average for a household. The envisaged impact of the scheme includes the addition of 30 GW of solar capacity through rooftop solar in the residential sector, producing 1000 BUs of electricity and curbing 720 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the 25-year lifespan of rooftop systems.
Projections suggest the creation of approximately 17 lakh direct jobs across manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales, installation, operation, and maintenance, among other services. To avail the benefits of PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, households can register on https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in, marking the initiation of a widespread campaign aimed at raising awareness and garnering applications from interested households.