Households across India are increasingly embracing rooftop solar power, with the number of installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana crossing a significant milestone of 25 lakh. This achievement, announced on Sunday by Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, highlights the growing momentum of India's clean energy transition.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched on February 15, 2024, aims to provide free electricity to households by promoting rooftop solar installations. The scheme offers subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for households, significantly reducing the upfront cost of installing solar panels. The program has a total outlay of ₹75,021 crore and envisions reaching one crore households by the end of the fiscal year 2026-27.
The scheme is designed to be demand-driven, allowing any residential consumer with a grid-connected electricity connection to apply for rooftop solar installation through a national portal. By December 3, 2024, the portal had already recorded 1.45 crore registrations and 26.38 lakh applications.
The benefits of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana extend beyond individual households. By reducing reliance on traditional energy sources, the scheme contributes to a cleaner environment and helps India meet its renewable energy goals. Moreover, households can save money on their electricity bills and even earn income by selling surplus power back to distribution companies (DISCOMs). The scheme aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity every month. It is estimated that families can save around ₹15,000 annually, even after loan repayments.
The government's commitment to promoting solar energy is also evident in other initiatives such as the PM-KUSUM scheme, which encourages farmers to adopt solar power for irrigation and other agricultural needs. Additionally, the Solar Park Scheme is rapidly expanding, targeting 40 GW of capacity by March 2026. As of December 2025, 53 parks with a combined capacity of nearly 39.3 GW have been approved across 13 states, with approximately 13.9 GW already operational. Furthermore, the PM JANMAN scheme focuses on providing electricity to unelectrified tribal households in remote areas through solar power.
The achievement of 25 lakh rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana marks a significant step towards a sustainable energy future for India. With continued government support and increasing public awareness, rooftop solar is poised to play a key role in meeting the nation's growing energy needs while protecting the environment.
