Operational Guidelines And Incentives For Discoms Under The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched on 29th February 2024, aims to boost rooftop solar installations across India with a total budget of ₹75,021 crore. This initiative targets installing solar panels in one crore households by FY 2026-27. Managed by a National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) at the national level, the scheme delegates operational responsibilities to Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs) or Power/Energy Departments as State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) in each state.

The DISCOMs are crucial in facilitating the scheme’s success. They are tasked with ensuring net meters are available, timely inspections and commissioning of installations, vendor management, and coordinating with various departments for solarizing government buildings. The scheme also promotes the adoption of rooftop solar in commercial and industrial sectors within DISCOM areas.

A key component of the scheme is the provision of incentives to DISCOMs. These incentives aim to motivate the DISCOMs by supporting activities related to Information, Education, and Communication (IEC), creating regulatory mechanisms, and achieving implementation targets. DISCOMs are responsible for setting up dedicated rooftop solar (RTS) teams, integrating ERP systems with the national portal, providing timely services to consumers, and managing online databases of commissioned capacities. The incentives also cover consumer awareness and capacity building for DISCOM officers and staff.

A unique aspect of this scheme is the rewards system for DISCOM officials. At least 10% of the incentives received (up to ₹1 crore) must be used to reward field-level staff who contribute significantly to rooftop solar deployment. A quarterly ranking system will be established to recognize top-performing subdivisions and their officials, with cash awards given to encourage further efforts.

To ensure transparency, DISCOMs must submit detailed fund utilization plans and reports, including receipts and expense records. Non-compliance could lead to the rejection of incentive claims, and any unutilized amounts cannot be included in the DISCOMs’ balance sheets until all conditions are met.

Overall, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is designed to significantly increase rooftop solar adoption in India. By providing financial incentives, regulatory support, and a structured rewards system, the scheme aims to make substantial progress in residential solar energy use.