The Indian government is accelerating rooftop solar installations with the goal of reaching 10 lakh installations by the end of this fiscal year. This is being achieved through enhanced IT systems, reduced regulatory hurdles, and streamlined subsidy disbursements. As of now, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) has recorded 1.45 crore registrations and 6.34 lakh completed installations. The scheme aims for 1 crore installations in residential areas by FY’27, with a budget allocation of Rs 75,021 crore.
Gujarat leads with the highest number of installations at 2.87 lakh, followed by Maharashtra at 1.26 lakh, and Uttar Pradesh at 53,423. The government is collaborating with stakeholders like REC, DISCOMs, and vendors to address challenges and ensure the scheme’s success, making it the largest domestic rooftop solar program in the world.
Before the launch of the PMSGMBY in February 2024, only 8.1 lakh installations were completed over a decade, averaging 7,000 per month. Since the program’s inception, however, the installation rate has surged to an average of 70,000 per month, with 6.3 lakh installations completed in just nine months.
Key initiatives, such as reducing technical feasibility requirements for systems under 10 kW and ensuring timely inspections and subsidy releases, have expedited progress. Efforts to expand the vendor base and offer affordable financing through the Jan Samarth Portal have further accelerated installations.
The program has also simplified the consumer process by digitizing applications and reducing documentation requirements. Over Rs 3,100 crore in subsidies have been disbursed to more than 4 lakh consumers, with an average of 67,000 households receiving subsidies monthly.
The scheme’s operational efficiency is reflected in the reduced processing time for subsidies, now completed within 15 days. With a goal to reach 10 lakh installations by March 2025, the scheme aims to scale up to 1 crore installations by 2027, paving the way for increased adoption of solar energy across the country.
