PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
The Government of India launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on 29th February 2024 with the objective of promoting rooftop solar adoption and enabling residential households to generate their own electricity. With a total budget outlay of ₹75,021 crore, the scheme will be implemented until the financial year 2026–27. It aims to significantly increase the share of solar rooftop capacity across the country while reducing dependency on conventional energy sources. The program is executed at the national level by a National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) and at the state level by State Implementation Agencies (SIAs), which are typically the respective DISCOMs or Power/Energy Departments.
Under this scheme, DISCOMs play a crucial role in ensuring smooth implementation by facilitating key processes such as the availability of net meters, timely inspection and commissioning of rooftop solar installations, vendor registration, and coordination between departments for solarizing government buildings. These measures are designed to simplify the adoption of rooftop solar systems and encourage more households to participate.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana offers attractive financial incentives to make solar installations affordable. It provides a 60% subsidy on the cost of solar systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40% subsidy on the additional cost for systems between 2 kW and 3 kW. The subsidy is capped at 3 kW capacity. Based on current benchmark prices, this translates to approximately ₹30,000 subsidy for a 1 kW system, ₹60,000 for a 2 kW system, and up to ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW or higher capacity. This structured subsidy significantly reduces the upfront cost, making solar energy accessible to a wider population.
To be eligible for this scheme, the applicant must be an Indian citizen and must own a residential property with a roof suitable for installing solar panels. Additionally, the household must have a valid electricity connection and should not have previously availed any other government subsidy for solar panel installation. By fulfilling these criteria, households can benefit from reduced electricity bills, increased energy independence, and a contribution towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
How to apply for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
To begin the process, interested consumers must first register on the National Portal for Rooftop Solar by selecting their respective state and electricity distribution company (DISCOM). This initial step is simple and user-friendly, ensuring that households across India can easily access the benefits of the scheme. Once registered, the portal serves as a comprehensive guide, offering valuable information to help users make informed decisions about installing a rooftop solar system.
The National Portal provides useful tools such as system size recommendations based on electricity consumption, a benefits calculator to estimate savings, and vendor ratings to help consumers choose reliable service providers. This ensures transparency and builds confidence among users while selecting the right solar solution.
After reviewing the available information, consumers can select their preferred vendor and decide on the make and specifications of the rooftop solar system they wish to install. This flexibility allows individuals to choose systems that best match their energy needs, budget, and quality expectations. Overall, the portal simplifies the entire process—from registration to vendor selection—making rooftop solar adoption more accessible, efficient, and convenient for residential users.
Scheme Capacity & Limited Availability
The Uttarakhand government has set a target of achieving 250 MW solar capacity under the Mukhyamantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana (MSSY), which means the scheme will be available only for a limited period. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early, as project allocations are made on a “first-come, first-served” basis, increasing the chances of approval for those who act quickly.
This scheme is specifically designed for permanent residents of Uttarakhand who are 18 years of age or older. To ensure fair distribution of benefits, only one member per family is eligible to set up a solar plant under MSSY. This allows more households to participate and benefit from the initiative.
For setting up a solar power plant ranging from 20 kW to 200 kW, applicants must have access to sufficient land. Typically, a space of approximately 240 to 3000 square metres is required, depending on the plant capacity. This makes the scheme especially suitable for individuals who own or can lease unused, barren, or hilly land. Overall, MSSY provides a valuable opportunity to generate stable income while promoting clean energy.