PM Surya Ghar Yojna
The Indian government, in February 2024, launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to accelerate solar adoption in India and make the journey towards a clean future possible for millions of households. Households can register themselves on the national portal for solar plant installation in their premises. The subsidy provided for registered consumers brings down the burden of initial investment and makes solar installation easier.
This blog is aimed at giving insight into the entire process.
What is PM Surya Ghar Yojana (Muft Bijli Yojana)
The government of India, with a vision to achieve energy independence and a zero carbon footprint, initiated the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. This initiative aims to provide free electricity (300 units per month) to one crore households through facilitating the setup of rooftop solar panels.
The subsidy structure is as below:
| System Capacity | Central Subsidy Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW and above | ₹78,000 (maximum) |
Eligibility criteria
1. The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
2. Be the owner of the property.
3. Have a roof suitable for installing solar panels.
4. Have a valid electricity connection in his/her name.
5. Not have availed any other government incentives for solar.
Benefits of registering under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
Free electricity.
Under this scheme, households generate own electricity around 300 units. This is a big game-changer as households can reduce a significant amount of their spending.
Additional income
Homeowners installing rooftop solar panels can sell the extra electricity generated to the grid. The DISCOMs pay you for the energy sold, and this becomes an additional source of income for households.
Lower initial investment
Most people are discouraged by the cost of solar panel installation. But with PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the initial cost is brought down to a great extent. This facilitates more households to shift to solar and enjoy its benefits.
Helps in obtaining loans
Apart from subsidies, you can apply for solar loans by registering on the PM Surya Ghar portal to reduce your initial investment. A list of banks and financial institutions and their schemes is listed on the portal itself, making it easy for consumers.
Ease of vendor selection
PM Surya Ghar portal vendor selection becomes easy when you register here, since it contains details of registered vendors.
Documents required
Latest electricity bill
Proof of ownership of the premise where solar panels will be installed
Latest passport-size photograph
Aadhar card or any other government-issued document as proof of identity
Bank passbook copy
Salary slip, ITR copies in case of applying for a loan
Steps involved in registration for PM Surya Ghar login
1. Visit the website pmsuryaghar.gov.in
2. Select “Apply now” in the consumer page
3. Register as a consumer by providing your DISCOM details, mobile number, electricity consumer number, and email ID.
4. Save your details
5. Once registered, log in to the portal using “consumer login”
6. You can submit your registration through the “Apply for solar rooftop” tab on the portal or through vendor selection.
7. Apply by selecting your state, district, DISCOM, and consumer number
Once you have completed the registration process, your DISCOM will provide a feasibility approval. You can proceed with installation after this step. After installation is over, DISCOM will inspect your site and provide a commissioning certificate, which can be submitted on the portal along with a canceled cheque to obtain the subsidy.
PM Surya Ghar portal vendor selection
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana national portal contains details of all registered vendors, their installed capacity, the number of installations completed, and their brochure. Consumers can directly contact the solar company since their phone numbers, email addresses, and websites are provided.
The national portal is an authorized platform to compare and choose a reputed vendor for their solar installation.
Steps in vendor selection:
Once you are registered as a consumer, log in to pmsuryaghar.gov.in
Under the drop-down menu from the head ‘Consumer’, choose registered vendors
Filter your choice by your state and district
You get a list of registered vendors available in your area
You can compare various vendors and shortlist or make a final selection through this portal
Conclusion
PM Surya Ghar Yojana is an excellent initiative by the government of India. It is a platform for both vendors and consumers to register and avail benefits for solar installation. The portal also gives details of guidelines to be followed under the scheme.
Through this, more households are brought under the solar cover, thus moving closer to the greater aim of sustainability.