New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) – The Indian government’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is set to revolutionize the country’s energy sector, aiming to install rooftop solar panels in one crore households by March 2027. The initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024, has a budget outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and seeks to provide free electricity to households across India.
Milestones and Expected Installations
Union Minister Shripad Naik, while speaking at the third Discom Conclave 2025 organized by industry body PHDCCI, highlighted key installation targets under the scheme. According to him:
- 10 lakh rooftop solar installations are expected to be completed by March 2025.
- The numbers will double to 20 lakh by October 2025.
- By March 2026, installations will reach 40 lakh.
- The ultimate target of one crore installations will be achieved by March 2027.
Role of DISCOMs in Implementation
To ensure the success of the scheme, DISCOMs (Distribution Companies) have been designated as State Implementation Agencies (SIAs). Their responsibilities include:
- Ensuring availability of net meters.
- Conducting timely inspections.
- Overseeing the commissioning of rooftop solar installations.
As part of the scheme, a financial provision of Rs 4,950 crore has been allocated under the ‘Incentives to DISCOMs’ component, which replaces the previous funding under the Grid Connected Roof Top Solar (GCRT) Phase II programme.
Current Progress and Registration Data
The national portal for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has recorded significant progress in terms of registrations and applications. As of December 2024:
- 1.45 crore households have registered.
- 26.38 lakh applications have been submitted.
- 6.34 lakh rooftop solar installations have already been completed.
The initiative is being hailed as the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar program, with the potential to transform India’s energy landscape by shifting towards renewable power sources. With steady progress and strong government backing, the scheme is set to meet its ambitious targets in the coming years.