New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) Today, in 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the PM Surya Ghar scheme aimed at delivering rooftop solar energy to millions of homes and promoting the adoption of clean energy throughout India.

According to the popular social media platform ‘Modi Story’, “On this day in 2024, PM Modi launched the PM Surya Ghar scheme with a clear vision to provide rooftop solar power to millions of households and enhance the uptake of clean energy across the nation.”

“This initiative sought to offer not just subsidies but also to foster a nationwide movement towards energy independence through a technology-driven approach. The Prime Minister proposed that this scheme be integrated with PM Gati Shakti to align rooftop solar planning with a broader national digital infrastructure, benefiting society as a whole,” the Modi Story noted.

Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, former Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), reflected on the program's expanded scope during its formulation.

As Bhalla recounted, “Initially, the focus was solely on Rooftop Solar deployment, but the Prime Minister’s vision of integrating it with a national technology platform significantly broadened its scope. Despite facing criticism at the time, the Prime Minister remained steadfast, convinced that mass-scale solar energy would ultimately serve the long-term interests of both the state and the nation.”

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is touted as the largest domestic rooftop solar initiative globally and aims to change India’s energy landscape with an ambitious target of providing solar power to one crore households by March 2027.

By March 2025, installations under this scheme were anticipated to exceed 10 lakh. Projections suggested that this number would double to 20 lakh by October 2025, grow to 40 lakh by March 2026, and ultimately reach the goal of one crore by March 2027.

Launched on February 13, 2024, this initiative seeks to deliver free electricity to households by facilitating the installation of rooftop solar panels. It provides a subsidy of up to 40%, making renewable energy more affordable and accessible for families.

In just nine months, 6.3 lakh installations have been completed, achieving a monthly installation rate of approximately 70,000—nearly ten times higher than the pre-scheme average.

With the aim of benefiting one crore households, the program is also expected to save the government approximately Rs 75,000 crore annually in electricity expenses. This initiative is being positioned as a significant move towards clean energy adoption, empowering millions to transition to renewable sources while reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable development and energy innovation.