Srinagar, March 13th: The people of Kashmir have shown their support for the government’s ambitious ‘PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ plan, which is a big step towards boosting renewable energy sources.
An impressive 33,390 potential beneficiaries from the Kashmir division have registered for the plan within the first two weeks of its debut, with 564 official applications already filed, according to the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL). The Center’s plan is to make it easier for people to utilize solar power by lowering the upfront expenses associated with the technology so that more homes can make the transition.
This decision is in line with the government’s efforts to shift towards greener and more long-term energy sources.
Beneficiaries may get a considerable subsidy of Rs 78,000 when they install solar rooftop systems with a capacity of 3KW and higher under the ‘PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ plan. This incentive greatly aids households looking to switch to solar energy financially, which has been crucial to the program’s success.
Government officials are hopeful that the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar plan will reawaken a dormant interest in solar electricity among J&K inhabitants.
When it comes to using its solar power capability, J&K is well behind the curve.
J&K has 40.63 MW of total installed solar power capacity as of April 2020.
Nevertheless, the most recent data, which spans from April 2020 to October 2023, shows a pitiful increase of just 15 MW, increasing the total capacity for solar power to 55 MW by the end of October 2023.
A stronger and faster strategy is required in J&K, according to a comparison of the state’s solar power development with that of other states.
Between April 2020 and October 2023, J&K’s solar power capacity increased by a modest 15 MW, whereas neighboring Himachal Pradesh’s capacity surged from 40 MW to 111 MW, showing a huge 71 MW increase in solar power output.
With a budget of Rs 75,021 crore, the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana will install rooftop solar panels and provide 1 crore homes with free power up to 300 units per month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the federal cabinet that authorized the project.
The prime minister unveiled the plan on February 13.
Under the program, homeowners may get 60% of the cost of a 2 kW system and 40% of any extra cost for a 2 to 3 kW system via the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for Residential Rooftop Solar program.
There would be a limit of 3 kW for the CFA.
A 1 kW system would be eligible for a 30,000 rupee subsidy, a 2 kW system for 60,000 rupees, and a 3 kW system or larger for 78,000 rupees, all based on the current benchmark rates.
The national platform would allow consumers to apply for subsidies and choose a provider for rooftop solar installations.
Households would find the national site useful since it provides information such as recommended system sizes, benefit calculators, and vendor ratings, all of which are important for making decisions.
Installing a domestic RTS system up to 3 kW is now within reach with low-interest financing solutions that do not need collateral and have an interest rate of around 7%.
Officials claim that this plan would allow homes to reduce their power costs and perhaps make some extra money by selling their excess power to DISCOMs.
The typical home may produce about 300 units per month with a 3 kW system.
With 30 GW of solar capacity added via residential rooftop solar, 1000 BUs of electricity will be generated, and 720 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions will be reduced throughout the 25-year lifespan of rooftop systems, according to the proposed proposal.
Approximately 17 lakh direct jobs in transportation, sales, installation, operations and maintenance, and other service industries will be created under the initiative.
Since the program began, the government has run a huge push to inform the public and encourage interested families to apply.
To participate in the program and get benefits, households may sign up at https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in
