PM Modi Launches Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana; Eligibility And Scheme Details, All You Need To Know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana,’ which is the installation of rooftop solar panels in one crore households across the nation. The initiative is set to provide electricity through solar energy, particularly benefiting low to middle-income households.

“All the devotees of the world always get energy from the light of Suryavanshi Lord Shri Ram. Today, on the auspicious occasion of consecration in Ayodhya, my resolution got further strengthened that the people of India should have their solar rooftop system on the roof of their houses,” the prime minister posted on social platform X.

What Is ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’?

The scheme targets equipping one crore households with rooftop solar panels, focusing on providing electricity from solar energy.

PM Modi said that the initiative will not only reduce electricity bills for the poor and middle class but also contribute to making India self-reliant in the energy sector.

The prime minister urged officials to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging residential consumers to adopt rooftop solar systems on a large scale.

Rooftop solar panels, connected to the main power supply, aim to decrease reliance on grid-connected electricity, leading to cost savings for consumers.

In a solar rooftop system, the investment is primarily upfront, with minimal maintenance costs.

Who can avail benefits of Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana?

To benefit from the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana,’ applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Permanent Residency: Applicants must be permanent residents of India.
• Income Limit: The annual income of the applicants should not exceed Rs 1 or 1.5 lakh.
• Non-Government Service:  Applicants should not be associated with any government service. 
• Documentation: All required documents must be submitted or uploaded accurately.

Current Solar Scenario in India:

As of December 2023, India’s solar power installed capacity reached approximately 73.31 GW.

Rooftop solar installed capacity stands at around 11.08 GW as of December 2023. The government’s National Rooftop Scheme provides financial assistance covering 40 per cent of the capital cost for solar rooftop projects.

In 2014, the government initiated the Rooftop Solar Programme with the aim of achieving a cumulative installed capacity of 40,000 MW (40 GW) by 2022.

PM Modi’s announcement comes on the heels of his participation in the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla in the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The move aligns with the government’s focus on promoting renewable energy and reducing the carbon footprint.