08 June 2026 at 06:12 pm IST
India’s flagship rooftop solar initiative, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, has surpassed 41 lakh solar-powered households, marking a major milestone in the country’s push toward decentralized clean energy. Union New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government is confident of reaching 75 lakh households by December 2026, driven by strong public participation and rapid installation growth. Launched in February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore, the scheme aims to provide rooftop solar systems to one crore households, enabling families to receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month. To encourage adoption, the government offers substantial subsidies, including up to ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW and above. According to Joshi, more than 65 lakh applications are already in the pipeline, reflecting strong demand across the country. The minister highlighted that rooftop solar installations have surged from roughly 7,000 per month before the scheme’s launch to more than 3 lakh per month today, demonstrating the rapid pace of adoption. The program is also delivering tangible economic benefits. Over 17 lakh households have recorded zero electricity bills, while participating families have collectively earned more than ₹421 crore by selling surplus power back to the grid. Government support has remained significant, with more than ₹22,750 crore in subsidies disbursed so far. Progress is also being made in the public sector. Around 53,874 government buildings have been solarized, representing 855 MW of installed capacity and nearly 80% of the targeted installations. With record deployment levels—including 3.16 lakh rooftop installations in May 2026 alone—the scheme is emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing clean energy programs, strengthening household energy security while advancing the country’s renewable energy ambitions.
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