India Achieves 6.34 Lakh Rooftop Solar Installations Under PM Surya Ghar Program

India has achieved a significant milestone under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY), with 6,34,442 rooftop solar installations completed as of November, 2024. This information was revealed in a response by the Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power, Shripad Yesso Naik, to a question raised by Lahar Singh Siroya in the Rajya Sabha.

The Minister of New and Renewable Energy was asked in the Rajya Sabha about the progress and challenges of the PM Surya Ghar Program. The inquiry sought State-wise information on the total number of rooftop solar installations under the program and whether the Ministry has set a deadline to achieve the target of 10 million rooftop solar projects nationwide. It also inquired if any incentives have been rolled out to State Governments or Panchayati Raj Institutions to promote rooftop solar installations in rural areas. The query further addressed challenges in the scheme’s implementation, particularly regarding subsidy disbursements and other potential issues.

Naik further pointed out that the scheme, which aims to empower residential households to generate their electricity through solar energy, has set an ambitious target of one crore installations by FY 2026-27. It is  supported by an allocation of INR 75,021 crore. Gujarat leads the nation with 2,86,545 installations, followed by Maharashtra with 1,26,344 and Kerala with 52,693. Other states like Uttar Pradesh (53,423), Tamil Nadu (20,151), and Rajasthan (18,697) have also contributed significantly, though some regions, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland, reported minimal progress.

The Minister detailed the government’s strategy to promote rooftop solar adoption, including operational guidelines issued on July 18, 2024, under the 'Incentives to Local Bodies' component of the scheme. With a financial outlay of INR 1,000 crore, this initiative provides INR 1,000 per installation to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to enhance grassroots-level deployment and awareness.

He noted that despite challenges such as delays in subsidy disbursement and coordination among stakeholders, the scheme has garnered 1.45 crore registrations and 26.38 lakh applications on the National Portal. Subsidies have been disbursed to 3.66 lakh applicants within 15-21 days, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to streamlining processes.

Naik emphasised the government’s focus on resolving these issues to ensure the scheme’s success, underscoring its critical role in advancing renewable energy adoption and fostering self-reliance in the residential energy sector.