Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently shared what he called “outstanding news” on social media, announcing that over 1 crore households have already registered for the government’s solar rooftop scheme PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. This initiative, aimed at promoting solar energy adoption across India, has garnered significant attention and participation since its launch.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed his delight over the overwhelming response to the scheme within just a month of its launch. He emphasized that registrations have poured in from all parts of the nation, with states like Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh witnessing over 5 lakh registrations each. The Prime Minister urged those who haven’t registered yet to do so at the earliest to avail of the benefits of the program.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:
- Announcement and Objective: The rooftop solar program, initially announced in the interim Budget presented on February 1, is officially known as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide free solar electricity to households across the country, aiming to light up 1 crore households by offering up to 300 units of free electricity every month.
- Investment and Scale: With an estimated investment of over ₹75,000 crores, the PM Surya Ghar scheme represents a significant commitment to renewable energy infrastructure. The scale of the program underscores the government’s ambition to promote clean energy adoption on a massive scale.
- Incentives for Local Bodies: To encourage participation and adoption at the grassroots level, Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats will be incentivized to promote rooftop solar systems within their jurisdictions. This approach aims to leverage local governance structures to drive awareness and implementation of solar energy solutions.
- Expected Benefits: The government projects several benefits from the widespread adoption of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. These include substantial savings for households, estimated at ₹15,000-18,000 crore annually, from free solar electricity and the potential to sell surplus energy back to distribution companies. Additionally, the scheme aims to support the transition to electric vehicles, create entrepreneurship opportunities for vendors in the supply and installation of solar systems, and generate employment for youth with technical skills in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Overall, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana represents a significant step towards promoting renewable energy adoption and achieving energy security in India. By leveraging solar power and encouraging widespread participation, the government aims to not only provide access to clean and sustainable electricity but also stimulate economic growth and job creation in the renewable energy sector. As registrations continue to pour in from households across the country, the success of the program underscores the growing recognition of the importance of renewable energy in India’s development journey.
