Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij on Thursday announced that the state government is developing a new scheme to extend rooftop solar power systems to domestic consumers with a connected load of 1 kW. This initiative aims to simplify access and boost solar adoption across households.
Key Features of the Proposed Scheme
The most notable aspect of the proposed scheme is that beneficiaries will not need to approach banks for loans or guarantees. Instead, departmental officials will visit consumers' homes, complete the necessary paperwork, and facilitate the installation of rooftop solar systems. As a result, electricity bills for these consumers are expected to drop to nearly zero, Vij stated.
He further noted that over 700,000 consumers in Haryana have electricity connections with loads of up to 1 kW and stand to benefit from this initiative.
Extension to Higher Load Consumers
Responding to media queries, Vij indicated that a similar arrangement is being considered for consumers with loads up to 5 kW who regularly pay their electricity bills. Under this plan, apart from the government subsidy, the remaining cost would be recovered from consumers through easy installments, with no requirement for bank loans.
Solar Plants on Unused Farmland
Vij also revealed that he recently submitted a proposal to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, suggesting that farmers with unused land and family members living outside the village be allowed to set up solar plants on their land at their own expense. The government would purchase the generated electricity at predetermined rates, providing farmers with an additional income stream while promoting clean energy.
National Recognition and Targets
Vij informed that Haryana is set to receive three national awards for the successful implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He emphasized that these awards are based on performance, not recommendations, and that governments always recognize those who deliver results.
He added that the central government has identified Haryana as a leading state in solar energy adoption. The state government plans to intensify efforts to make Haryana self-reliant in solar energy.
Vij also noted that Haryana has received the highest number of applications under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The state has set a target of installing 220,000 rooftop solar systems in the current financial year and is working to achieve this ahead of schedule.
