The PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, recently approved by the Union cabinet, is set to install rooftop solar panels in one crore households across the nation. With an impressive outlay of ₹75,021 crore, the scheme aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units monthly to these households.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur, in a briefing, stated, “Today’s cabinet meeting under the leadership of PM Modi approved ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana,’ where one crore families will receive 300 units of free electricity under this scheme.”
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, is geared towards promoting sustainable development and the well-being of citizens. PM Modi, in his social media posts, highlighted the project’s ambitious goal of illuminating one crore households with free electricity every month, backed by an investment exceeding Rs. 75,000 crores.
As part of the scheme, households can avail central financial assistance of ₹30,000 for a 1 kW system, ₹60,000 for a 2 kW system, and ₹78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher. Additionally, a Model Solar Village will be established in each district, serving as a role model for the adoption of rooftop solar in rural areas.
Benefits of the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana include potential savings on electricity bills through solar energy utilization, the opportunity to earn income by selling surplus power to DISCOMS, and the creation of around 17 lakh jobs across various sectors.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the green energy landscape, adding an additional 30 GW of solar capacity through rooftop installations in the residential sector. This move is projected to reduce 720 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions over the 25-year lifespan of rooftop systems.
Individuals interested in applying for the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana can do so through the national portal https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/. The application process includes selecting a suitable vendor for rooftop solar installation. Moreover, applicants can access collateral-free low-interest loan products at around 7% for installation.
The prime minister assured that substantive subsidies would be directly deposited into people’s bank accounts, ensuring no cost burden on the beneficiaries. The government’s commitment to green energy is further emphasized by the substantial budget allocations for solar and wind power in the coming financial year. The initiative is anticipated to drive savings, with rooftop solar installations potentially leading to annual savings of ₹15,000.
