New Delhi: India’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has achieved 6.3 lakh rooftop solar installations in just nine months, marking significant progress in its goal of powering one crore households with solar energy by March 2027. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024, the initiative aims to make rooftop solar systems more affordable through subsidies of up to 40 percent.
The scheme has accelerated the adoption of renewable energy across households, with installation rates increasing tenfold compared to pre-scheme levels, now averaging 70,000 installations per month. The government targets surpassing 10 lakh installations by March 2025 and scaling up to 40 lakh by March 2026, with the ultimate goal of reaching one crore installations by March 2027.
A significant aspect of the scheme is its potential to reduce government electricity expenses. Officials estimate an annual saving of ₹75,000 crore as more households transition to solar power. Beyond financial savings, the program is expected to significantly cut carbon emissions, aligning with India’s climate commitments and fostering sustainable development.
To promote solar energy in rural areas, the scheme includes the “Model Solar Village” component. Under this initiative, one revenue village per district will be converted into a solar-powered community. Villages with a population exceeding 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states) are eligible for the program. Selected villages will compete based on renewable energy capacity, with top performers receiving a ₹1 crore grant to develop solar infrastructure. An allocation of ₹800 crore has been set aside for this purpose.
The scheme represents a broader effort to transition India’s energy consumption toward renewables while addressing the country’s growing electricity demand. By empowering both urban and rural households to adopt solar energy, the program is expected to contribute significantly to the government’s energy goals and environmental targets.
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