The Indian government initiated the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ this year, aiming to boost rooftop solar capacity in residential areas. With a budget of Rs 75,021 crore, this scheme will operate until 2026-27, enabling households to produce their own electricity.

The initiative aims to lower electricity costs for low and middle-income families while also making India self-reliant in the energy sector.

Interestingly, the government has always supported solar power schemes. Back in 2014, they launched the Rooftop Solar Programme, aiming for 40,000 MW of capacity by 2022.

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Despite efforts, this goal wasn’t achieved, which led to an extension to 2026-27. The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana seems to be a fresh push to reach the 40 GW rooftop solar capacity target.

In her interim budget speech, finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that Rs 10,000 crore in budget allocation will be saved for 10 million houses in order to provide 300 units of free electricity and rooftop solar installation.

Explaining the scheme’s benefits, Sitharaman mentioned that households could save between Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000 annually by utilizing free solar electricity and potentially selling excess power back to distribution companies.

Current Solar Capacity of India

As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s website, India’s solar power capacity has reached approximately 84.28 GW by May 31, 2024. Specifically, rooftop solar capacity stood at about 11.08 GW as of December 2023.

How can you apply for rooftop solar?

Consumers can easily apply for rooftop solar and get benefits from the scheme by participating in DISCOM tendered projects or through the National Portal (www.solarrooftop.gov.in). Any Indian citizen is eligible for this scheme.

Here’s how to proceed:

Step 1: Registration on the portal involves selecting your State, District, and Electricity Distribution Company, and providing your Consumer Account Number and Mobile Number.

Step 2: Login using your mobile number and apply for the rooftop installation.

Step 3: Upon receiving feasibility approval, proceed with installing the plant through any registered vendor in your DISCOM.

Also Read: PM Surya Ghar Yojana: How to get 300 units free electricity

Step 4: After installing the equipment, please submit the plant details and apply for a net meter.

Step 5: Once the installation is complete and inspected by DISCOM, a commissioning certificate will be generated from the portal.

Step 6: After receiving the commissioning report, submit your bank account details and a canceled cheque through the portal. You will get your subsidy in your bank account within 1 month.

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