PM Modi Highlights Benefits of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana During Gujarat Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his insightful experience of interacting with beneficiaries of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana during his visit to Gujarat. The scheme aims to provide free rooftop solar electricity to one crore households across India, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday recounted his interaction with beneficiaries of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana during his latest visit to Gujarat. Among them was Jagshibhai Suthar and his family, who have significantly benefited from the scheme.

In a social media post on 'X', PM Modi conveyed, "During my recent Gujarat visit, I went to the home of Jagshibhai Suthar. He and his family have benefitted from the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. I also met other beneficiaries of this scheme. Here are the highlights." The central scheme aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in the country who choose to install rooftop solar electricity units.

The Government of India sanctioned the scheme on 29th February 2024, aiming to boost solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity. With a budget of Rs 75,021 crore, the scheme will continue through FY 2026-27, managed at the national level by the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) and by State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the state level.

The scheme offers a subsidy of 60% for solar units up to 2kW capacity and 40% for systems between 2 to 3kW, capped at 3kW capacity. Current benchmark prices equate to Rs 30,000 subsidy for a 1kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2kW, and Rs 78,000 for a 3kW system or higher.

Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs or Power/Energy Departments) will act as State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the State/UT level. These agencies must implement several supportive measures to promote rooftop solar adoption in their regions, such as net meter availability, timely inspection and commissioning of installations, vendor registration and management, and interdepartmental collaboration for solarizing government buildings.

(With inputs from agencies.)