The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at installing rooftop solar panels in one crore households across India. With a whopping total outlay of ₹75,021 crore, the scheme is poised to revolutionize the energy landscape of the nation.
Launched by the Prime Minister on February 13, 2024, PM-Surya Ghar offers a generous subsidy scheme, covering up to 60% of the system cost for 2 kW systems and 40% for systems ranging from 2 to 3 kW capacity. The subsidy is capped at 3 kW, providing significant financial relief to households interested in adopting rooftop solar.
Applying for the subsidy is streamlined through the National Portal, where households can access comprehensive information on system sizes, benefits, and vendor ratings. Additionally, households can avail themselves of collateral-free, low-interest loans, currently at around 7%, to facilitate the installation of residential rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW.
The scheme doesn’t just stop at individual households; it also aims to create Model Solar Villages in each district to serve as examples for rural adoption of rooftop solar. Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions will also receive incentives to promote rooftop solar installations in their respective areas.
PM-Surya Ghar includes provisions for payment security for Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO)-based models and a fund for innovative rooftop solar projects. By harnessing solar energy, households can not only save on electricity bills but also earn additional income by selling surplus power to DISCOMs.
A 3 kW rooftop solar system can generate over 300 units of electricity per month, contributing significantly to reducing carbon emissions. The scheme is projected to add 30 GW of solar capacity through rooftop installations in the residential sector, generating 1,000 BUs of electricity and reducing 720 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the systems’ 25-year lifespan.
Moreover, the scheme is anticipated to create approximately 17 lakh direct jobs in various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales, installation, and maintenance. Since its launch, the government has initiated an extensive awareness campaign to encourage households to register for the scheme. Interested households can register themselves on the dedicated portal, https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in, to avail the benefits offered under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
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