India’s ₹75,000-crore PM Surya Ghar targets 1 crore rooftop solar installations by 2026. Despite 8.5 lakh installations, delays persist due to rains and awareness gaps. Subsidies (60% for 2 kW) aim to cut bills and emissions. Challenges include coordination and affordability. Success could boost renewable capacity and energy security.
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Picture Courtesy:The Hindu
PM Surya Ghar drives solar growth with 8.5 lakh rooftop installs, targeting 1 crore homes.
Objective: The PM Surya Ghar scheme aims to install rooftop solar systems in one crore households across India.
Budget: The scheme has a budget of ₹75,000 crore.
Launch Date: Officially launched on February 15, 2024, after being announced in January 2024 following the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Subsidy Structure:
Subsidy Amounts:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy noted the “slow pace” of installations, as of October 2024, only five lakh installations were completed out of 20 lakh applications made on the Surya Ghar portal.
The Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy told the committee that there were “rain-related delays” but the government was on track to ensure that 12 lakh households were covered in the financial year 2024-2025. He explained that daily installations have increased from 3,000 to 9,000 per day.
As of January 2025, 8.5 lakh households have installed rooftop solar connections. The scheme aims to cover one crore households.
Rooftop solar systems provide decentralized energy solutions, reducing strain on the grid.
Suitable for both urban and rural areas, making it a versatile solution.
Reduces electricity bills and provides long-term financial benefits.
Contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
Enhances energy security by diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Slow Pace of Installations, Only 8.5% of the target has been achieved in the first year.
Rain-related delays have slowed down installations.
Many households may not be aware of the scheme or its benefits.
Coordination between stakeholders, including manufacturers, installers, and government agencies, can be challenging.
Despite subsidies, some households may still find the initial cost prohibitive.
India’s installed renewable energy capacity has increased by 200%, from 75.52 GW in 2014 to 220 GW in 2024.
India plans to add 50 GW of new renewable capacity annually in the coming years.
The tariff for grid-connected solar power plants has decreased by 80%, from ₹10.95 per unit in 2010-11 to ₹2.15 per unit in 2024.
India is becoming a leader in affordable renewable energy, making solar power accessible to a larger population.
Conduct widespread campaigns to educate households about the scheme’s benefits and application process.
Simplify application and installation procedures to reduce delays.
Consider increasing subsidies or offering financing options to make installations more affordable.
Strengthen collaboration between government agencies, manufacturers, and installers to ensure timely execution.
Use digital platforms for real-time monitoring and faster approvals.
Plan installations to minimize delays caused by adverse weather conditions.
By addressing the challenges and accelerating implementation, the PM Surya Ghar scheme can play a pivotal role in India’s transition to clean energy and achieving its renewable energy targets.
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