PM Modi Unveils ‘Pradhanmantri Surydaya Yojana’ to Promote Solar Energy

New Delhi, January 22, 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inspired by the consecration of the Ram idol in Ayodhya, has announced the government’s initiative, the ‘Pradhanmantri Surydaya Yojana,’ aimed at harnessing solar energy to generate electricity.

Under this scheme there will be installation of solar rooftop systems on one crore houses across India. Prime Minister Modi, sharing the decision on Twitter, expressed his resolve to provide households with their solar rooftop systems, reducing electricity bills for the poor and the middle class while promoting energy self-reliance.

The announcement came after a meeting with officials, including Minister of New and Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh, and Secretary, Bhupinder Bhalla. However, no specific timeline for the installations was provided. Despite subsidies, rooftop solar installations have been considered expensive, contributing to muted growth.

As of July 31, 2023, only 2.2 GW of rooftop installations were reported in Indian homes. The government’s ambitious target of 100 GW by 2022 includes 40 GW from rooftop solar, with about 12 GW installed in rooftops as of July 2023. Estimates suggest that there are currently less than 10 lakh households with rooftop solar installations in India. Achieving the goal of one crore households presents a significant challenge, given the existing incentive structures that favor commercial entities over individual homes.

The ‘Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana’ is expected to play a crucial role in advancing India’s solar energy agenda, enhancing accessibility, and contributing to the nation’s goal of energy self-sufficiency.The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision for promoting sustainable energy practices and reducing the carbon footprint.

By Yashasvi Raghav