New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) As many as 18.71 lakh rooftop solar (RTS) systems were installed during 2025–26, adding a cumulative installed solar capacity of 6.7 GW and benefitting 22.71 lakh households nationwide under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the government said on Tuesday.
A total of 39,72,447 RTS systems has been installed, since the scheme’s launch in February 2024, benefitting 48,02,717 households across the country, including rural households, MoS New & Renewable Energy, Shripad Yesso Naik said in Rajya Sabha.
While the electricity bills of consumers installed RTS under the scheme have been largely reduced, over 18.93 lakh beneficiaries have been reported by DISCOMs across the country, including the rural households to receive zero electricity bill after installation of RTS systems under the scheme during at least a billing period.
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) is a demand-driven scheme wherein all residential consumers in the country including the rural households, holding a grid-connected electricity connection with the local DISCOM, can avail the benefits of the scheme.
Benefits for installation of rooftop solar systems can be availed by applying on the National Portal of the scheme.
Apart from installation of rooftop solar plants in the residential sector, the PMSG: MBY also envisages installation of RTS plants in Government and commercial buildings including educational and health institutions.
However, central financial assistance (CFA) is not provided to these categories of consumers as installation of rooftop solar plants is financially viable for them even without CFA, the minister noted.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly half of India’s additional electricity demand between now and 2030 is expected to be met through solar energy.
Another quarter is likely to come from other low-carbon sources including wind, hydroelectric and nuclear power, the report said.
—IANS
aar/pk
