Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (January 22) announced ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’, a government scheme under which one crore families will get rooftop solar power systems.
India’s Push for Rooftop Solar Power
In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana,’ a government initiative aimed at providing rooftop solar power systems to one crore (ten million) households. This move follows earlier efforts, such as the 2014 Rooftop Solar Programme, which aimed to achieve a cumulative installed capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) or 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2022. However, the deadline was extended to 2026 as the initial target was not met.
Understanding Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
The new scheme focuses on installing solar power systems on residential rooftops. Prime Minister Modi emphasized its potential to not only reduce electricity bills for the “poor and middle class” but also contribute to India’s energy self-reliance.
Current Solar Capacity in India
As of December 2023, India’s solar power installed capacity is projected to reach around 73.31 GW, with rooftop solar accounting for approximately 11.08 GW. Rajasthan leads in total solar capacity with 18.7 GW, while Gujarat tops the list for rooftop solar capacity with 2.8 GW.
The Importance of Solar Energy Expansion in India
Expanding solar energy is crucial for India, especially considering projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA), indicating that the country will experience the largest energy demand growth globally over the next 30 years. To address this demand and reduce dependence on coal, India aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Rooftop Solar Program and Its Impact
The Rooftop Solar Program, initiated in 2014, incentivizes the installation of rooftop solar systems in the residential sector. It provides financial assistance and incentives to distribution companies (DISCOMs) and consumers. The program, currently in its second phase, has seen rooftop solar capacity increase from 1.8 GW in March 2019 to 10.4 GW by November 2023.
Consumers can participate through projects tendered by DISCOMs or the national portal (www.solarrooftop.gov.in). The DISCOM’s role includes technical feasibility approval, net-meter installation, and system inspection. Subsidies are transferred directly to consumers’ bank accounts, and surplus solar power can be exported to the grid for monetary benefits.
Looking Ahead
With India’s commitment to expanding solar energy capacity, initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana aim to accelerate progress toward sustainable and self-reliant energy systems.
