SYLLABUS

GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Context: A total of 23,96,497 households, which is around 23.96 per cent of the target, have been installed with rooftop solar systems, against the target of covering one crore households in the residential sector under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY), by FY 2026-27.

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• The PMSG: MBY is demand driven scheme, wherein all residential consumers in the country having grid connected electricity connection of the local DISCOM can avail the benefits of the scheme by applying on the National Portal of the scheme.
• A total of 53,54,099 applications has been submitted through the National Portal.
• A total of 19,17,698 rooftop solar systems has been installed across the country.
• The scheme sets a target to cover 35 lakh households in FY 2025–26, thereby accelerating its implementation.

Key highlights of the Scheme

• The scheme claims to provide 300 units of “free electricity” every month to one crore households.
• Scheme provides central financial assistance of:  
• Rs 30,000 subsidy for 1 kW system.
• Rs 60,000 for 2 kW systems
• Rs 78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher
• Systems of higher wattage will not be eligible for Central subsidy.
• Households will apply for subsidy through national portal and can select suitable vendor for installing rooftop solar.
• Households can access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 7% at present for installation.
• Model Solar Village will be developed in each district to act as role model for adoption of rooftop solar in rural areas.

Significance of the Scheme

• Households will be able to save electricity bills.
• Households can earn additional income through sale of surplus power to DISCOMs.
• It will result in addition of 30 GW of solar capacity through rooftop solar in the residential sector.
• Guided by the Panchamrit Policy, as announced at COP26, Scheme helps to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and helps to meet fifty percent of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030. 
• Scheme will create around 17 lakh direct jobs in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, soles, installation, O&M and other services

Source
Pib
Surya Ghar
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