PM Surya Ghar Scheme: The PM Surya Ghar Scheme has been highly successful, leading to a reduction in electricity bills for around 1.9 million families. Since its launch in February 2024, over 4.8 million families have benefited from this initiative. The Lok Sabha has been briefed by the government on the advantages of this scheme.

Key points of the scheme

– 40 lakh rooftop solar systems have been installed under the scheme.

– Union Minister Prahlad Joshi disclosed that about 1.9 million families who installed solar panels on their rooftops had no electricity bills for at least one billing cycle.

– As of July 24 of this year, 4,007,355 rooftop solar systems have been set up, with a target to cover 10 million families in the current fiscal year.

Recent developments:

– The installation rate of solar panels under the scheme has surged, with one lakh solar panels set up in approximately seven days.

– Initially, there was limited interest in the scheme, but now families are swiftly adopting solar panels on their rooftops.

State-wise impact:

– Maharashtra has seen the highest number of households benefiting from the scheme, with 4.17 lakh families enjoying reduced electricity bills. Kerala follows with 1.91 lakh households, and in Chhattisgarh, 16,450 consumers have experienced zero bills in at least one billing cycle.

Subsidy details:

– The scheme offers government subsidies for installing rooftop solar panels, with Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for a 2 kW system, and Rs 78,000 for a 3 kW system. The maximum subsidy available is Rs 78,000.

– These subsidies cover 40 to 60 percent of the total installation cost. Some states like Uttar Pradesh provide an additional Rs 30,000 subsidy, further reducing the overall cost.

Cost recovery

– The total cost of installing a solar system can be recovered within a few years. For example, with a 3 kW system costing around Rs 1.8 lakh, after the central government’s subsidy of Rs 78,000, the consumer’s out-of-pocket expense comes down to Rs 1.08 lakh.

 

Calculation example:

 

– Assuming a family’s monthly electricity consumption is 900 units at Rs 8 per unit, resulting in a bill of Rs 7,200. A 3 kW solar system generates around 250-300 units per month, saving about Rs 2,200 on the electricity bill per month. This amounts to Rs 26,400 annually, covering the total cost in approximately four years.