This article covers everything about the Rooftop Solar Scheme or PM Suryodaya Yojana. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the launch of the ‘Rooftop Solar Scheme’ or the ‘Pradhan Mantri (PM) Suryodaya Yojana’ in the 2024-25 budget. This scheme provides for installing rooftop solar panels for residential houses and using solar energy for electricity, which will help save money on electricity bills.
PM Suryodaya Yojana
Prime Minister announced the launch of the ‘PM Suryodaya Yojana’ after the auspicious occasion of the Ram Temple opening ceremony in Ayodhya. He stated that this scheme is a new initiative to promote the use of solar energy in the country. This Finance Minister emphasised this scheme in the Budget 2024-25.
Solar panels are installed in houses under this scheme to supply power to households and additional money for excess electricity output. This scheme will help poor and middle-class households save up to Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000 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.
Objectives of Rooftop Solar Yojana/ PM Suryodaya Yojana
Through the Rooftop Solar Yojana or the PM Suryodaya Yojana, one crore households will be able to obtain up to 300 units of free electricity every month. 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 Suryodaya Yojana
- Savings of up to Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000 annually from free solar electricity and selling the surplus power to the Discoms (Distribution Companies)
- 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
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 residence
Rooftop Solar Installation Subsidies
Under the Rooftop Solar Scheme, the government will provide subsidies for installing solar panels.
There are initial capital and maintenance costs to install solar panels, which considerable cost savings can offset. Setting up a solar rooftop ranges from Rs.2.2 lakh to Rs.3.5 lakh, based on a 3KW to 5KW installation requirement. Though the government has not announced the subsidy under the Rooftop Solar Scheme, it is expected that the subsidy may range from around Rs.9,000 to Rs.18,000 per KW for installing rooftop solar systems up to 10KW to ease the solar panel installation cost.
Rooftop Solar 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 Discoms for a reasonable amount. Thus, it substantially reduces overall electricity bills by balancing what is consumed and what is contributed.
Process of Apply for Rooftop Solar Scheme/ PM Suryodaya Yojana
The government is yet to announce the application process for PM Suryodaya Yojana or the Rooftop Solar Scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply for PM Suryodaya Yojana?
The government is yet to announce the application process for PM Suryodaya Yojana or the Rooftop Solar Scheme.
What is Rooftop Solar Scheme?
The Rooftop Solar Scheme targets to install solar panels in one crore households to supply power and earn additional money for excess electricity output. This scheme will help poor and middle-class households to save up to Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000 annually by getting free solar electricity and selling surplus power to electricity distribution companies.
Is there a government scheme for free solar panels in India?
There is no government scheme for installing solar panels for free in India. However, the government announced the Rooftop Solar Programme in 2014, which aimed to install solar panels in houses and achieve solar energy generation and usage in households. Under this programme, the government provides a subsidy to install solar panels ranging from Rs.9,000 to Rs.18,000 per KW.
What is the latest solar subsidy?
In 2014, the government launched the Rooftop Solar Programme, which aimed to install solar panels and achieve a cumulative installed capacity of 40,000 MW or 40 GW by 2022 and save electricity. Under this programme, the government provides a subsidy to install solar panels ranging from Rs.9,000 to Rs.18,000 per KW.
However, under the newly announced PM Suryodaya Yojana, the government is yet to state the solar subsidy.
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