Kolkata: Imagine a situation where you won’t have to pay electric bill for years. Also you would have the satisfaction of contribution to the process of cleaning up the environment by not contributing to the greenhouse gasses which is inevitably released when coal is burnt to generate the power you consume. Welcome to the solar panel scheme of the Centre that seeks to enable people set up solar panels on their rooftops to tap the power of the sun to light up their home and reduce or eliminate electricity bills.
The ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ is designed to help people install solar panels on the roof of their house. What’s significant is that one can even get up to 70% subsidy from the Centre. The solar panels can be chosen on the available roof area and the mount of power one needs. Let’s find out what’s required and how to apply for the scheme.
What’s needed
One needs at least 200 square feet of roof space to install solar panels for a 2 kW solar panel for which the government will offer a maximum of 70% subsidy. For installing a 3 kW solar panel, at least 300 square feet of roof is needed and the government will cough up a maximum of 60% subsidy.
The minimum roof space required for a 4 kW panel is 400 square feet and the government will offer 45%b subsidy. If the requirement is for a 5 kW panel, the installation will need 500 square feet of space and can expect a maximum of 40% subsidy from the Centre.
How to apply for solar panel scheme
Here is a step-by-step guide to apply for the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’.
ONE: Log in to the website https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/#/
TWO: You should provide the following details for registration.
Select your State
Select your Electricity Distribution Company
Type in your Electricity Consumer Number
Type in your Mobile Number
Type your Email
THREE: Login with consumer number and mobile phone number
FOUR: Apply for the Rooftop Solar by filling up the form online
FIVE: Wait for approval of feasibility from DISCOM
SIX: Once feasibility is approved, get plant installed by a registered vendor in your DISCOM
SEVEN: After installation, submit plant details and apply for net meter
EIGHT: After net meter installation and inspection by DISCOM, commissioning certificate will be generated by the portal
NINE: After commissioning, submit your bank account details and cancelled cheque
The scheme is for Indian citizens who should have a valid electricity connection. The applicant must not have applied for any other subsidy for solar panels. The applicant must own a house that has a roof suitable for the installation of solar panels. The government says that even if the user shifts residence, he/she can get the plant installed on a new rooftop since the system is easy to dismantle and reassemble at a new spot.
The ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ has recorded as many as 47.3 lakh applications till March 2025 and has disbursed a total amount of Rs 4,770 crore as subsidies to 6.13 lakh beneficiaries. Personal Finance Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
