PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Features, Benefits

Context: Around 8.5 lakh households have installed rooftop solar connections under PM Surya Ghar Yojna.

About PM Surya Ghar Yojna

• Launched: February 15, 2024
• Objective: To provide free electricity to one crore households by facilitating the installation of rooftop solar electricity systems.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Implementation Agency: Rural Electrification Corporation (REC)

Key Features of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• Free Electricity: The government will provide 300 units of free electricity per month to 1 crore households, aiming to light up their homes.
• Rooftop Solar Promotion: Urban local bodies and Panchayats will be encouraged to promote rooftop solar systems in their areas. This aligns with the free electricity provision, potentially utilising solar power as the source.
• Financial Support: The government guarantees no financial burden on the beneficiaries. This will likely involve subsidies deposited directly into bank accounts and offering affordable loans to help cover any costs associated with the program.
  • Central Financial Assistance (CFA):
    • 60% subsidy for 2 kW systems
    • 40% additional subsidy for systems between 2-3 kW (capped at 3 kW)
    • This translates to:
      • ₹30,000 for a 1 kW system
      • ₹60,000 for a 2 kW system
      • ₹78,000 for 3 kW or higher systems
  • Application and Selection:
    • Apply for subsidies through a National Portal.
    • Portal provides information on system size, benefits, and vendor ratings.
    • Choose a suitable vendor for installation.

Additional Features of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

Subsidy

The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 60% of the cost of solar panels for systems up to 2 kW capacity, and 40% for systems between 2 to 3 kW capacity. The subsidy is capped at 3 kW capacity.

• Eg. ₹30,000 subsidy for a 1-kW system, ₹60,000 for 2-kW systems and ₹78,000 for 3-kW systems or higher.

Model Solar Villages

The scheme aims to create one model solar village in each district of India to promote solar energy adoption.

• Eligibility criteria for a village to be considered for Model Solar Village:
  • For normal states & UTs: must be a revenue village with a population of more than 5,000 as per the latest census.
  • For Himalayan & North-Eastern States & UTs of A & N and Lakshadweep: Revenue villages with a population size of more than 2,000 as per the latest census.

Incentives for Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions

These institutions will receive incentives to promote rooftop solar installations in their areas.

Benefits of PM Surya Ghar Bijli Yojana

The PM Surya Ghar Bijli Yojana scheme anticipates several advantages, including:

• Household Savings: Households can potentially save ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 annually through free electricity and selling surplus solar power back to the grid.
• Electric Vehicle Charging: The increased adoption of solar power could support the charging of electric vehicles, promoting a shift towards sustainable transportation.
• Job Creation: Opportunities for entrepreneurs and skilled youth are expected to arise in areas like supplying, installing, and maintaining rooftop solar systems.

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