Bengaluru: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana promises 20 years of free electricity for households

The Government of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and BESCOM, has launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a scheme aimed at making solar energy affordable and accessible to households across the country. The initiative encourages residential consumers and housing complexes to install rooftop solar panels, offering attractive subsidies and easy financing options.

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Subsidies of up to ₹78,000 

Under the scheme, domestic consumers installing rooftop solar systems will benefit from subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for systems up to 3 kW. Housing complexes can avail a subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW for installations up to 500 kW in common areas. The scheme highlights a payback period of just five years, after which households can enjoy over 20 years of free electricity.

For example, a 1 kW solar plant costs around ₹60,000 to ₹80,000, with a subsidy of ₹30,000. This can result in yearly electricity bill savings of approximately ₹9,600. Larger systems, such as 3 kW, can save households up to ₹36,000 annually.

The plan offers a 25-year lifespan, includes five years of free maintenance, and provides financing support through bank loans at 7% interest for up to 10 years. Additionally, households can pay EMIs directly from savings on electricity bills, making the investment cost-effective.

With a focus on sustainability, the government expects the scheme to significantly reduce household power costs while promoting renewable energy adoption nationwide.