PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme (PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana) is now starting a new era in Chhattisgarh. This ambitious scheme of the Central Government has now received the direct support of the Chhattisgarh State Government as well. The result is — the benefit of double subsidy and a concrete step towards free electricity from half electricity. This scheme will not only provide free electricity to homes, but will also bring an unprecedented reduction in the monthly expenditure of the common man. Along with this, a new opportunity of earning will also open up through the sale of excess electricity.
What is PM Surya Ghar Yojana
The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana is to provide clean and free energy to every household by installing solar panels on the roofs of residential buildings across the country. Since its announcement in the year 2024, this scheme is being implemented all over India. Now the Chhattisgarh government has also added its share in this scheme, under which the state government will provide financial assistance from its own side in addition to the subsidy given by the Center. The result is that consumers will get the direct benefit of double subsidy.
Benefit of double subsidy
Earlier, under this scheme, the central government used to provide subsidy of up to 60% to domestic consumers for installing solar panels. The Chhattisgarh government is now providing subsidy to consumers by adding its share to this subsidy. That is, the cost of a normal 3 kW capacity solar system is around ₹ 1.5 lakh, out of which now the consumer will have to bear only ₹ 30,000-₹ 40,000.
Easy loans and affordable EMIs
As per the agreement between the Chhattisgarh government and banking institutions, consumers will now be able to avail loan facility for 10 years at a concessional interest rate of 6.5%. This will reduce the monthly EMI drastically – so much so that it can be even less than your current monthly electricity bill. This means that instead of paying electricity bill every month, the consumer will now pay EMI for the solar system and after a few years will enjoy free electricity for life.
Extra earning opportunity
If the electricity produced from solar energy is more than the consumption of your house, then that extra electricity can be sold to the state’s discom companies through the grid. The consumer will get income from this extra sale, which will not only help him recover his investment but will also develop an additional source of income. This provision can become a means of economic self-reliance for the families of rural and semi-urban areas in a state like Chhattisgarh.
Environmental benefits
Sun energy is a clean and renewable source. Through the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, not only is the dependency on electricity being reduced, but carbon emissions are also being reduced drastically. Every house connected with this scheme can now be called a “Green Energy Hub”, which is actively contributing to fighting climate change. The Chhattisgarh government has presented a green and long-term development model in this direction.
How to get benefits
To join this scheme, common citizens can apply on the portal https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in. After the application, the electricity distribution company and the authorized dealer will inspect it. Then the solar panel will be installed and after that the subsidy amount will be deposited directly into the consumer’s account.
Although the scheme is highly effective, there are certain challenges to its complete success – such as lack of technical knowledge among people, transparency of installation agencies, and complexity of the digital application process in rural areas. The government and the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) can take steps to set up help centres at the local level, facilitation desks in panchayat offices, and field support teams as per the need, which can assist people in the process from application to installation.