Despite intense heat and high humidity, people's homes actively used air conditioners, coolers, fans, and refrigerators. Although these electrical appliances provided relief to people, they also raised concerns about increasing electricity bills. However, some families who installed solar panels on their home roofs under the central government's Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna scheme benefited. Over 1.9 million such homes received zero electricity bills, even after active use of air conditioners and refrigerators.
Program Launch and Goals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna in February 2024, and it has proven to be a significant support measure for the country's population. The government aims to install solar panels on the roofs of 100 million homes by 2027. According to official data, more than 50 million homes in the country are already illuminated by this scheme as of August 2026.
Program Benefits: Free Energy and Subsidies
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna scheme, the central government provides 300 units of free electricity. Additionally, a substantial subsidy of up to 78,000 rupees is provided for installing solar panels on the roof of a house. In addition to subsidies from the Modi government, many states offer extra benefits. For example, Uttar Pradesh offers an additional subsidy of 30,000 rupees for the cost of installing solar panels under PM Surya Ghar, increasing the total benefit to 1.08 lakh rupees.
Financial Benefit for Households
According to the government, the number of beneficiaries of the PM Surya Ghar Yojna is constantly growing. The total amount of subsidies disbursed by the state so far has reached 28,024 crore rupees. Thanks to this free energy program, about 1.9 million families have zero electricity bills, significantly reducing their financial burden. Moreover, in the financial year, 25 million savings were achieved by over 12 lakh families through the sale of surplus electricity to the government, generating revenue of 421 crore rupees.
Long-Term Solution to Billing Issues
With PM Surya Ghar Yojna, one can eliminate electricity bill payment problems for up to 25 years with just one investment. This is because the lifespan of solar panels installed under this government program is typically around 25 years. For consumption from 0 to 150 units, solar panels with a capacity of 1-2 kilowatts are suitable, while for consumption from 150 to 300 units, panels with a capacity of 2-3 kilowatts are required.
Application Process
Applying for the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojna program is very simple. You need to visit the website https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in and select the 'Apply for Rooftop Solar' option. Then, you must choose the state's electricity distribution company and enter your consumer number, mobile number, and email address. After opening a new page, you need to log in using your consumer number and mobile number and apply for the RTS panel according to instructions. After receiving feasibility approval, you can install the solar panels through a contractor registered with the DISCOM. After installation, you must apply for a net meter with installation details. After the meter installation and verification by the DISCOM, a commissioning certificate will be issued. Then, you need to provide bank account details and a cancelled cheque through the portal, to which the government subsidy will be credited.