PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana: A Game changer scheme that will save Rs 15 thousand per household
How You Can Apply for and Get Subsidy under the Roof Top Solar Scheme
What is PM Surya GharMuft BijleeYojana about?
PM Surya GharMuftBijleeYojana is a Central Scheme that aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in India, who opt to install roof top solar electricity unit. The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every month. It is an ambitious scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on February 29th, with an outlay of Rs.75,021crore.
How does PM Surya GharMuftBijleeYojanawork ?
The scheme provides for a subsidy of 60% of the solar unit cost for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40 percent of additional system cost for systems between 2 to 3 kW capacity. The subsidy has been capped at 3 kW capacity.
At current benchmark prices, this will mean Rs 30,000 subsidy for 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW systems and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher.
Who are eligible to apply for the Scheme?
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Must own a house with a roof that is suitable for installing solar panels.
- The household must have a valid electricity connection.
- The household must not have availed of any other subsidy for solar panels
How to apply for PM Surya GharMuftBijliYojana?
First, the interested consumer has to register on the national portal www.pmsuryaghar.gov.in. This has to be done by selecting the state and the electricity distribution company. The National Portal will assist the households by providing relevant information such as appropriate system sizes, benefits calculator, vendor rating etc. The consumers can choose the vendor and the make of the Roof Top Solar unit they wish to get installed.
Can a consumer avail of loan facility to finance the solar unit?
Yes. Households will be able to access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 7% at present for installation of residential RTS systems up to 3 kW. The interest rate has been pegged at 0.5% above the prevailing Repo Rate decided by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time. In the event of Repo Rate, which is 6.5% at present, getting reduced to say 5.5%, the effective interest rate for consumer will become 6% instead of the current 7%.
What is the step by step procedure for availing of subsidy?
Step 1
- Register on the portal with the following
- Select your State & Electricity Distribution Company
- Enter your Electricity Consumer Number, Mobile Number & Email.
Step 2
- Login with Consumer Number & Mobile Number
- Apply for the Rooftop Solar as per the form
Step 3
- Once you get the feasibility approval, get the plant installed by any of the registered vendors
Step 4
- Once installation is completed, submit the plant details and apply for net meter.
Step 5
- Commissioning certificate will be generated from the portal, after installation of net meter and inspection by DISCOM.
Step 6
- Once you get the commissioning report. Submit the bank account details and a cancelled cheque through the portal. You will receive your subsidy in your bank account within 30 days.
Why should a household opt for the Roof Top Solar Scheme?
Simple economics. The households will be able to save electricity bills as well as earn additional income through sale of surplus power to DISCOMs.
PM Surya GharMuftBijleeYojana promises an assured saving of approximately Rs 15,000 in a year for a household consuming up to 300 units a month, by installing Roof Top Solar unit of 3 kW capacity. Such a household, by generating its own electricity will save on electricity bill approximately Rs 1,800 – Rs 1875.
Even after deducting the EMI of Rs 610 on the loan availed for financing the solar unit, the saving would be around Rs 1,265 per month or approximately Rs 15,000 in a year. The savings for the households not availing of loan will be even higher. Furthermore, by opting for renewable energy, it is an opportunity to contribute towards a greener planet.
Courtesy: Issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
