Over 10 Million Homes Sign Up for PM-Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme
In a remarkable response from across the country, more than 10 million households have already registered for the government's solar rooftop scheme, PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared this exciting update, highlighting the overwhelming participation since the scheme's launch about a month ago.
"Fantastic news! Within just a month of its launch, over 10 million households have already joined the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Registrations are pouring in from every corner of the nation," PM Modi announced.
Several states including Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh have witnessed more than 500,000 registrations each, indicating widespread interest and acceptance of the initiative.
PM Modi urged those who haven't yet signed up to do so promptly, emphasizing the importance of seizing this opportunity.
The rooftop solar program, now officially named PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, was introduced in the interim Budget presented on February 1. With an investment exceeding Rs 75,000 crores, the scheme aims to provide free electricity of up to 300 units per month to one crore households.
To ensure the scheme's success at the grassroots level, Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats will receive incentives to promote rooftop solar systems within their jurisdictions.
The government anticipates numerous benefits from this solar initiative, including annual savings of Rs 15,000-18,000 crore for households through free solar electricity, opportunities for electric vehicle charging, entrepreneurship avenues for vendors involved in supply and installation, and employment prospects for youth skilled in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
India, a significant consumer of coal-fired electricity, views this solar rooftop program as a means to reduce reliance on conventional power sources. At the COP26 summit in 2021, India pledged an ambitious "Panchamrit" commitment, aiming to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generate half of its energy from renewables, and cut emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
Additionally, India targets a 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP and aims for net-zero emissions by 2070. The country currently derives about 44% of its energy from non-fossil sources, a figure projected to rise to 65% by 2030, surpassing its COP26 commitments, according to Union Minister RK Singh, responsible for power and renewable energy portfolios.
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