PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

This Finance Minister announced a new rooftop solar scheme in the Budget 2024-25. Subsequently,
the Prime Minister launched the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ on 15 February 2024. Solar panels
are installed in houses under this scheme to supply power to households and additional money
for excess electricity output.

The Central Government will provide substantive subsidies directly to people’s bank accounts and
heavily concessional bank loans to ensure that there is no cost burden on the people. The
government subsidy will cover up to 40% of the cost of installation of the solar panels.

This scheme will help poor and middle-class households save up to Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000 crores
annually by getting free solar electricity and selling surplus power to electricity distribution companies.
Under this scheme, the government aims to install solar panels in one crore homes throughout the
country. This scheme will help the government save around Rs. 75,000 crore per year for electricity
costs.

Objectives of Rooftop Solar Yojana/PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

The Rooftop Solar Yojana, or the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, aims to provide 300 units of free
electricity every month to light up one crore households. The objective of this scheme is
to reduce the electricity costs of the house by installing rooftop solar panels and using solar energy.

This scheme aims to decrease dependency on traditional energy sources by installing rooftop solar
panels in houses and moving towards sustainable energy practices. It pushes for clean and
sustainable energy.

Benefits of Rooftop Solar Scheme/PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

 Savings of up to Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000 crores annually from free solar electricity and selling
the surplus power to the distribution companies for charging electric vehicles

 Charging of electric vehicles

 Entrepreneurship opportunities for many vendors for the supply and installation of solar panels
 Employment opportunities for the youth with technical skills in the installation, manufacturing
and maintenance of solar panels

 Reduction of electricity costs for the government.

 Increased use of renewable energy.

 Reduction in carbon emissions.

Eligibility Criteria for Rooftop Solar Scheme

 Applicants should be residents of India

 Applicants should belong to poor and middle-income households

 Applicants should have their own residence with a roof suitable for installing solar panels.

 Applicants must have a valid electricity connection.

 Applicants should not have availed of any other subsidy for solar panels.

Rooftop Solar/PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Installation Subsidies

Under the Rooftop Solar Scheme, the government will provide the below subsidies for installing solar
panels:

 For up to 2 kW - Rs. 30,000 per kW

 For additional capacity up to 3 kW - Rs. 18,000 per kW

 Total subsidy for systems larger than 3 kW - Maximum Rs. 78,000

The suitable rooftop solar plant capacity for households is as follows:

Average Monthly Suitable Rooftop Solar Plant Capacity Subsidy

Electricity Consumption (units)

0-150 1-2 kW Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000

 150-300 2-3 kW Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 78,000

>300 Above 3 kW Rs. 78,000

The subsidy for Group Housing Society (GHS)/ Resident Welfare Association (RWA) is Rs.
18,000 per kW for common facilities, including EV charging up to 500kW capacity at Rs.3 per kW per
house. The upper limit includes individual rooftop plants installed by individual residents in the GHS or
RWA.

Rooftop Solar/PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Installation Process

Photovoltaic panels, also known as rooftop solar panels, are installed on the roofs of houses or
buildings and connected to the central power supply unit. This installation decreases reliance on
grid-connected electricity, leading to cost savings.

The entire process is more financially sound via Net Metering, where any surplus energy or electricity
generated by the solar panels is sold to the electricity distribution companies for a reasonable
amount. Thus, it substantially reduces overall electricity bills by balancing what is consumed and what
is contributed.

How to Apply for Rooftop Solar Scheme/PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

Below are the steps to apply for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:

Step 1: Visit the official website of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Apply for Rooftop Solar’ button available on the left-hand side of the homepage.

Step 3: Select the state, district, and electricity distribution company, enter your customer account
number, and click on ‘Next’.
Step 4: Enter your mobile number and email and follow the instructions to complete the registration.

Step 5: Log in with your customer account number and mobile number.

Step 6: Apply for the ‘Rooftop Solar’ as per the form.

Step 7: After applying for Rooftop Solar, wait for the feasibility approval from DISCOM. Once the
feasibility approval gets approved, install the plant through a registered vendor in your DISCOM. You
can find the registered vendor near your house by clicking here and entering your state on the search
bar of the page.

Step 8: Submit the plant details and apply for a net meter after the installation is over.

Step 9: After the installation of the net meter and DISCOM inspection, they will generate a
commissioning certificate from the portal.

Step 10: Once you get the commissioning report, submit your bank account details and a cancelled
cheque by logging into the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana portal. You will receive the subsidy in
your bank account within 30 days.

Documents Required for Rooftop Solar Scheme

 Proof of identity

 Proof of address

 Electricity bill

 Roof ownership certificate

Rooftop Solar/PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Customer Care Number

You can call the rooftop solar scheme toll-free number to resolve all your queries regarding the
scheme - 15555