Saraswati Heights, a housing society in Nalasopara East, Maharashtra, has slashed its monthly electricity bills by nearly 90 per cent after installing a 25-kilowatt solar power system — offering a replicable model for residential communities grappling with rising power tariffs across urban India.

How the Decision Came About

The initiative began roughly a year ago, when society resident Pradeep Mishra and fellow members began researching solar energy options and available central government schemes online. After pooling their findings, the residents collectively resolved to pursue a solar installation rather than continue absorbing escalating grid electricity costs.

The society then evaluated multiple vendors, comparing service quality and project proposals before finalising one. From the point of vendor selection, the 25-kW system was commissioned and made operational within two to three months.

Government Subsidy Under PM SuryaGhar Scheme

A significant factor in making the project financially viable was the PM SuryaGhar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Centre's flagship rooftop solar scheme. According to Mishra, the subsidy amount was credited directly to the society's bank account within 15 days of installation — a turnaround residents described as unusually swift. An additional subsidy of approximately 30 per cent further reduced the total project outlay, lowering the upfront financial burden on members.

The Savings in Practice

Since the solar system became operational, the society has recorded a consistent drop in electricity expenditure. Monthly bills have fallen by close to 90 per cent compared to pre-installation costs, according to residents. Mishra said the savings have been steady month-on-month, providing financial predictability that the society did not have under variable grid tariffs.

This comes amid a broader national trend of rising power tariffs putting pressure on middle-class households and housing co-operatives, particularly in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region where per-unit electricity costs have climbed over successive tariff revisions.

A Call to Other Societies

Mishra and other residents are now actively encouraging neighbouring housing societies and small-scale consumers to explore the central government's solar scheme. They argue that the combination of subsidy access, falling panel costs, and quick government processing makes the economics compelling even for smaller residential complexes.

Beyond financial savings, residents also highlighted the environmental dimension — reduced dependence on coal-fired grid power translates into a measurable drop in household carbon footprint. Mishra expressed gratitude to the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the subsidy mechanism accessible and efficient.

With India targeting 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, community-level adoptions such as this one in Nalasopara represent the grassroots momentum policymakers are counting on to close the gap between installed capacity targets and on-ground deployment.