The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a flagship central government scheme launched on February 15, 2024, under the aegis of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It represents the world’s largest initiative for residential rooftop solar power, aiming to drive India’s transition toward sustainable, clean energy while reducing the financial burden of electricity consumption on households.
Core Objectives and Targets
The primary objective of the scheme is to provide free electricity to households by promoting the adoption of rooftop solar (RTS) systems.
- Target: To facilitate the installation of solar panels in 1 crore households across India by March 2027.
- Solar Capacity: The scheme aims to add 30 GW of solar capacity through the residential sector.
- Economic Impact: It is expected to save the government approximately ₹75,000 crore annually in electricity costs while enabling citizens to earn income by selling surplus power to DISCOMs.
- Sustainability: Over a 25-year lifetime, the installations are projected to generate 1,000 billion units (BUs) of electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 720 million tonnes.
Subsidy and Financial Structure
The government provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to eligible households. The subsidy is structured based on the capacity of the installed solar plant:
| Solar Plant Capacity | Subsidy Amount |
| Up to 2 kW | ₹30,000 per kW |
| Additional capacity up to 3 kW | ₹18,000 per kW |
| Above 3 kW (Capped) | ₹78,000 (Total) |
- Group Housing/RWA: Resident Welfare Associations and Group Housing Societies can receive a subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW for common facilities (including EV charging) up to 500 kW.
- Financing: To ensure accessibility, the scheme provides collateral-free, low-interest loans (around 7% interest) for systems up to 3 kW, processed digitally via the JanSamarth Portal.
Eligibility Criteria
To avail the benefits of the scheme, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Citizenship: The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- Ownership: Must own a residential property with a roof suitable for solar panel installation.
- Connection: A valid, grid-connected electricity connection must be active.
- Exclusivity: The household must not have availed of any other central or state-level subsidy for solar panels previously.
Strategic Components and Implementation
The scheme incorporates several innovative features to ensure long-term sustainability and widespread adoption.
Model Solar Village
The scheme mandates the development of one “Model Solar Village” in every district of India. The objective is to establish these villages as benchmarks for energy self-reliance and renewable energy adoption in rural areas. An allocation of ₹800 crore has been designated for this purpose, with each selected village eligible for ₹1 crore in financial support.
Skill Development and Job Creation
A significant focus is placed on creating a skilled workforce to manage the solar ecosystem.
- Capacity Building: The initiative aims to create approximately 17 lakh direct jobs in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, installation, and maintenance.
- Training: MNRE facilitates comprehensive training for technicians, installers, and engineers to ensure the quality and long-term viability of solar installations.
Operational Guidelines
- Portal Integration: All applications, feasibility approvals, and subsidy disbursements are managed through the official national portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in).
- Quality Standards: To qualify for the subsidy, the solar panels must be sourced from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) and comply with Domestic Content Requirements (DCR).
- Net Metering: Installation includes net meters, which allow consumers to measure the surplus electricity exported to the grid, enabling them to generate revenue from their rooftop installations.