Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 16 posted on X that “over one crore households” had registered for a scheme that offers enhanced subsidies and loans to eligible households to install rooftop solar systems.
“Outstanding news! In about a month since it was launched, over one crore households have already registered themselves for the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana [PM Solar Rooftop: Free Electricity Scheme],” his post noted.
“Registrations have been pouring in from all parts of the nation. Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have seen over 5 lakh registrations,” he added, exhorting more people to sign up for the scheme. “This initiative promises substantial reductions in electricity expenses for households along with ensuring energy production.”
To be sure, all electricity produced from rooftop solar systems is free – as long as the sun shines optimally – unlike power from the grid (mostly from burning coal) that is charged based on usage.
As The Hindu reported earlier this month, the Centre has tweaked the ₹75,000-crore scheme. From an initial plan to fully subsidise the installation of 1-3 KW solar systems in one crore households via tie-ups with renewable energy service companies, the scheme will now only contribute up to 60% of the costs.
Households interested in availing the scheme’s benefits will have to pay the balance - a minimum of ₹20,000 - depending on the power capacity of the installed system though this could be defrayed by a low-interest, collateral-free loan. Only houses with a suitable roof and an existing connection to the grid would be eligible for the scheme.
Also registrations are only the first step wherein interested households express interest in the scheme. It can range from weeks to months for registrations to translate into actual installations.
Bhupinder Bhalla, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, told The Hindu earlier this month that about 40 lakh registrations had been reported in Gujarat on the dedicated portal to facilitate the implementation of the scheme.
