The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has allocated Rs 800 crore to develop model solar villages across the country. Introduced on Monday, this initiative aims to provide a template for other small towns to adopt solar energy and become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs.
The scheme, known as the ‘Model Solar Village’ initiative, falls under the broader PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which was officially introduced on 15 February 2024, by PM Narendra Modi. The ministry released the guidelines for the scheme on 9 August, with a focus on promoting renewable energy and empowering village communities.
According to the ministry's statement, a model solar village is intended to showcase the potential of solar energy, encouraging other villages to embrace green power. Under this initiative, one village in each district with the highest renewable energy capacity will receive a central financial assistance grant of Rs 1 crore.
The PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a significant effort to transform India's energy sector by providing free electricity to households. The scheme offers households a substantial subsidy, covering up to 40 per cent of the cost of installing rooftop solar panels. This initiative is expected to benefit around 1 crore households nationwide, encouraging the widespread adoption of solar power.
The government anticipates saving approximately Rs 75,000 crores annually in electricity costs through this scheme. So far, the program has seen widespread interest, with 28 crore registrations and 14.84 lakh applications already received.
Households interested in the subsidy can apply through the National Portal, where they can also select a suitable vendor for installing the rooftop solar systems. The portal offers various tools to assist in decision-making, including information on system sizes, a benefits calculator, vendor ratings, and other relevant details.
In addition to the subsidy, households can access collateral-free, low-interest loans at around 7 per cent interest for installing residential rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW. These systems are projected to add 30 GW of solar capacity to the residential sector, significantly contributing to India's renewable energy goals.
The scheme also has potential financial benefits for households. In addition to saving on electricity bills, homeowners can earn extra income by selling surplus power generated by their rooftop solar systems to distribution companies.
Over the expected 25-year lifespan of these rooftop systems, the scheme is projected to generate 1,000 billion units of electricity while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 720 million tonnes, making a notable impact on the environment.
This ambitious initiative marks a significant step forward in India's journey towards sustainable energy and could serve as a model for other nations aiming to adopt green energy solutions.
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