One Year Of PM Surya Ghar Yojana: How India’s Ambitious Rooftop Solar Plan Is Progressing

Amid India's push for wider adoption of rooftop solar energy, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is set to completes its first year on Thursday (13 February).

Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 February 2024, the scheme aims to provide free electricity to households by subsidizing solar panel installations.

With an ambitious goal of covering one crore households by 2027, the program has seen notable progress.

What Has Been Achieved So Far?

According to official data, 8.46 lakh households have installed rooftop solar systems under the scheme as of 27 January 2025. The rate of installations has increased tenfold, now averaging 70,000 per month.

This growth suggests that awareness and adoption are steadily rising.

A key driver of this expansion has been the subsidy structure, which covers up to 40 per cent of installation costs.

So far, the government has disbursed Rs 4,308.66 crore in subsidies to 5.54 lakh residential consumers, with an average subsidy of Rs 77,800 per household.

In practical terms, this has helped many middle-class and lower-income families reduce their energy expenses.

Where Is Adoption the Strongest?

States with high solar potential—such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh—are among the leaders in rooftop solar adoption.

Meanwhile, urban areas with high electricity tariffs have also shown interest in the scheme, as homeowners look for ways to reduce power bills.

For many beneficiaries, the savings have been significant. Government estimates indicate that 45 per cent of households using the scheme now receive zero electricity bills, depending on their consumption and solar power generation.

Financial and Environmental Impact

Beyond individual savings, the scheme has broader economic and environmental implications.

From an environmental perspective, the transition to solar energy under this scheme will help lower carbon emissions, supporting India's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Model Solar Villages: Expanding Renewable Energy to Rural India

A unique feature of the initiative is the Model Solar Village program, which seeks to establish one solar-powered village per district. The government has allocated ₹800 crore, with ₹1 crore granted to the village in each district that achieves the highest distributed renewable energy capacity.

To qualify, a village must have a minimum population of 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states) and demonstrate its solar adoption levels over a six-month evaluation period. If implemented effectively, this could serve as a model for rural energy self-reliance.

What Are The Targets Ahead?

Looking ahead, the government has set an aggressive timeline:

• 10 lakh installations by March 2025

To meet these targets, installations would need to scale up significantly.

In its first year, the PM Surya Ghar Yojana has made measurable progress in promoting solar energy for households.

While the initiative has helped many consumers reduce their electricity costs, further improvements in implementation efficiency, financing accessibility, and public awareness will be crucial for meeting its long-term goals.

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