Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Eight districts in the Marathwada region have collectively installed 93,251 rooftop solar systems under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, achieving a combined capacity of 341 megawatts. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district leads the tally with 37,487 installations, according to official data.
Strong Response Across Districts
Following an enthusiastic response from all eight districts, MSEDCL joint managing director for Marathwada, Aditya Jiwane, has urged more consumers to take advantage of the scheme. The program offers subsidies of up to Rs 78,000. "Switching to renewable energy through this scheme is highly beneficial for consumers. The attractive subsidies and simplified online services provided by MSEDCL have made the process easy and accessible," Jiwane said.
District-Wise Installations
Among the other districts, Latur has recorded 14,313 rooftop solar installations, followed by Nanded (9,657), Jalna (9,458), Beed (7,774), Parbhani (7,554), Dharashiv (3,815), and Hingoli (3,193), as per official data.
Scheme Details and Benefits
The central government launched the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in February 2024 to provide free electricity to households consuming up to 300 units per month. The scheme also enables consumers to earn income by selling surplus electricity generated from rooftop solar systems. Residential users can generate approximately 120 to 360 units of electricity per month using solar systems with capacities ranging from 1 to 3 kW.
"To further promote its adoption, concessional loans are being offered by banks, with a simplified application process. Additionally, incentive funds will be provided to gram panchayats that actively encourage rural households to participate in the scheme," Jiwane added.
Subsidy Structure
The central government provides direct subsidies for rooftop solar installations: Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for a 2 kW system, and up to Rs 78,000 for systems of 3 kW or higher capacity. For more information, consumers can visit the official website: https://www.pmsuryaghar.gov.in.
