PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Here's How to Access Free Electricity Across the Nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a visionary rooftop solar scheme aimed at illuminating households across India with free electricity. 

The project, with an investment of over INR 75,000 crores, aims to light up 1 crore households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month, announced PM Modi, emphasizing the government's unwavering commitment to sustainable development.

Key features of the scheme include substantive subsidies directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts and heavily concessional bank loans to alleviate any financial burden. The integration of all stakeholders into a National Online Portal aims to enhance convenience for participants, streamlining the process of application and implementation.

The scheme not only promises to reduce power bills for consumers but also offers significant benefits for solar manufacturers and the broader solar industry, driving economic growth and job creation.

As part of the scheme, households can avail themselves of a subsidy of INR 30,000 per kW for systems up to 2 kW, and an additional subsidy of INR 18,000 per kW for capacities up to 3 kW. For systems larger than 3 kW, the total subsidy is capped at INR 78,000. 

New Subsidy Structure

Under the revamped scheme, subsidies applicable from the date of issue of the Order i.e. January 5, 2024, on the National Solar Rooftop Portal, have been recalibrated to ensure equitable benefits for consumers. Notably, subsidies for customers opting for larger capacity systems have been rationalized, with an increased focus on optimizing resources and maximizing impact. The new subsidy difference chart highlights the revised benefits:

• For a 3 kW customer, the subsidy has increased from INR 54,000 to INR 78,000.
• Similarly, for a 4 kW customer, the subsidy has increased from INR 63,000 to INR 78,000.
• A 5 kW customer now receives a subsidy of INR 78,000, up from INR 72,000.
• However, for a 6 kW customer, the subsidy has been reduced from INR 81,000 to INR 78,000.
• Customers with capacities of 7 kW and above will see a reduction in subsidies, with a cap of INR 78,000 for a 10 kW system, down from INR 1,17,000.

Relaxations Under the Surya Ghar Scheme 

The consumers with sanctioned loads of 1 kW and 2 kW will receive an automatic upgrade of their sanctioned load to 3 kWp when availing the Surya Ghar Scheme. The government has also eliminated the feasibility requirements for capacities up to 10 kW. This automatic upgrade is designed to encourage greater participation in the scheme and facilitate the transition to solar energy for a wider range of consumers.

The revamped subsidy scheme promises multifaceted benefits for consumers, solar manufacturers, the solar industry, and the Government of India. 

Households stand to benefit from reduced electricity bills, increased income through surplus energy generation, and improved energy access, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life.

The increased demand for rooftop solar systems will stimulate production, driving economies of scale and fostering innovation in the solar manufacturing sector.

The scheme is poised to catalyze growth across the solar value chain, creating employment opportunities, particularly in installation, maintenance, and ancillary services.

By promoting clean energy adoption, the scheme contributes to India's climate goals, reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

The government's commitment to subsidizing rooftop solar installations underscores its dedication to fostering renewable energy adoption and promoting energy security.

In a call to action, Prime Minister Modi urged all residential consumers, particularly the younger generation, to support the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana by applying through the dedicated portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in. 

Here's how to apply for a rooftop solar panel under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

Step 1

• Register in the portal with the following
• Select your State
• Select your Electricity Distribution Company
• Enter your Electricity Consumer Number
• Enter Mobile Number
• Enter Email
• Please follow the directions from the portal.

Step 2- Login with Consumer Number & Mobile Number.

Apply for the Rooftop Solar as per the form.

Step 3- Wait for the feasibility approval from DISCOM. Once you get the feasibility approval install the plant by any of the registered vendors in your DISCOM.

Step 4- Once installation is over, submit the plant details and apply for a net meter.

Step 5- After installation of the net meter and inspection by DISCOM, they will generate a commissioning certificate from the portal.

Step 6- Once you get the commissioning report. Submit the bank account details and a cancelled cheque through the portal. You will receive your subsidy in your bank account within 30 days.