Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, welcomed West Bengal's decision to provide an additional state-level subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, calling it a step that will make rooftop solar more affordable for households across the state.

Context

In a post on X, Joshi said the state government's move 'complementing the Centre's assistance, will make rooftop solar more affordable,' enabling more households to 'reduce electricity bills and move towards zero electricity bills.' He framed the development as part of the broader momentum behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship clean-energy scheme, which he described as continuing 'to inspire greater adoption of rooftop solar across the country.'

The minister also linked the development to India's ongoing #CleanEnergy transition, signalling that state-level top-ups are now being seen as a critical lever in accelerating national renewable energy targets.

Policy Backdrop

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was launched in February 2024 by the Central Government to provide financial assistance for household rooftop solar installations, with the stated aim of delivering up to 300 units of free electricity per month to beneficiary families. The scheme forms part of India's broader solar push, which traces its lineage to the National Solar Mission launched in 2010.

India has set an ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. Rooftop solar for residential consumers is considered one of the most direct pathways to democratising clean energy access, reducing household energy costs while contributing to grid decarbonisation.

Stakeholders and Impact

West Bengal's decision to layer an additional state subsidy on top of the central scheme follows a pattern seen in several other states, where regional governments have used fiscal top-ups to improve scheme penetration and drive adoption among lower- and middle-income households. The federal model — central subsidy anchored by state incentives — effectively lowers the upfront capital cost that has historically been the primary barrier to rooftop solar adoption.

For households in West Bengal, the combined central and state subsidy is expected to reduce the effective cost of rooftop solar installation, potentially bringing the technology within reach of a larger segment of the population. The long-term benefit is a reduction in monthly electricity expenditure, with the scheme's design targeting eventual zero-bill outcomes for qualifying beneficiaries.

What's Next

Analysts and policymakers will watch whether other state governments follow West Bengal's lead in announcing complementary subsidies, particularly as the 2030 renewable capacity deadline draws closer. Quarterly progress reports on rooftop solar installations under the central scheme, as well as upcoming state budget announcements, will be key indicators of how effectively the layered incentive model is translating into on-ground adoption. Joshi's public endorsement of the state's move also signals that the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is actively encouraging such cooperative federalism in the clean-energy space.