The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has announced 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana' under which 1 crore households will get rooftop solar.
PM Modi said "today, on the auspicious occasion of the consecration of life in Ayodhya, my resolve has been further strengthened that the people of India should have their own solar roof top system on the roof of their houses.
The first decision I have taken after returning from Ayodhya is that our government will launch “Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana” with the target of installing rooftop solar on 1 crore houses.
In news, why?
A government initiative called the "Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana" will provide rooftop solar power systems to one crore families, according to PM Modi.
Prior initiatives to support rooftop solar systems
Regarding
2014 saw the introduction of the Rooftop Solar Program by the government.
By 2022, this was supposed to reach a total installed capacity of forty thousand megawatts, or forty gigawatts.
One Joule per second is the amount of energy consumed over time to calculate a watt, which is a unit of power.
Through incentives and Central Financial Assistance, the initiative aims to increase India's installed rooftop solar capacity in the residential sector by giving distribution firms, or DISCOMs, more support.
Success
Nevertheless, it was not possible to meet this goal. However, rooftop solar energy generation was only 11 GW by the end of 2023.
And just around 5% of total energy came from residential sources.
The administration decided to extend the deadline from 2022 to 2026 as a result.
Features
Through DISCOM-tender projects or the National Portal, consumers can take advantage of the scheme's benefits (solarrooftop.gov.in)
The only responsibilities of the DISCOM are to approve the technical feasibility, install the net meter, and conduct system inspections.
Owners of solar energy systems are billed for the electricity they contribute to the grid through a billing method called net metering.
The rooftop solar plant's excess solar power units can be exported to the grid.
In accordance with current legislation, the consumer may be compensated monetarily for the excess power they export.
Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
This program is a fresh effort to contribute to the 40 GW rooftop solar capacity goal.
Residential customers will need to have solar power systems installed on their rooftops.
The program would advance India's objective of achieving energy self-sufficiency by assisting the middle class and impoverished in lowering their electricity costs.
India's present solar power capacity
Capacity installed
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy estimates that as of December 2023, India's installed solar power capacity amounted to approximately 73.31 GW.
As of December 2023, rooftop solar installed capacity is approximately 11.08 GW.
The nation currently has about 180 GW of renewable energy capacity, of which solar power accounts for a significant portion.
states with high performance levels
Rajasthan has the highest overall solar capacity (18.7 GW). Gujarat, at 10.5 GW, is in second place.
Gujarat leads the way with 2.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity, followed by Maharashtra with 1.7 GW.
India needs to increase its use of solar energy
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released its most recent World Energy Outlook, which predicts that over the next 30 years, India's energy demand would increase more than that of any other nation or area worldwide.
An intergovernmental body called IEA offers information, analysis, and policy recommendations about the world's energy market.
The IEA works with nations to ensure that everyone has access to secure and sustainable energy.
The nation would require a dependable energy source—coal plants alone would not be sufficient to supply this demand.
Even though it has increased its coal output recently, India still wants to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Key details of the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
One crore low- and middle-class homes will receive rooftop solar panels as part of the programme, which will aid in the production of electricity from solar energy. Modi said that any household with a roof may use the sun's energy to save costs on electricity and achieve true electricity independence.
The prime minister also ordered the launch of a big nationwide campaign to encourage homeowners to install rooftop solar panels in large numbers.
Rooftop panels: what are they?
To provide electricity, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are installed above building rooftops. The energy produced by the rooftop solar system can be exported to the electrical grid, utilized to power buildings as needed, or used to charge batteries. In addition to solar PV panels, additional parts of a rooftop solar system include an inverter, a mounting structure for the modules, wires and connections, safety and monitoring systems, meters, and more.
Rooftop solar system benefits
lowering the cost of your electricity bill
Using the available empty roof space
short gestation time
No further need for distribution and transmission lines
lowers T&D losses since power generation and consumption are combined
System congestion is decreased and tail-end grid voltages are improved.
Long-term ecological and energy security through carbon emission reduction
As of February 28, 2023, approximately 3,377 megawatts of capacity under the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II had been assigned to various state implementing agencies for the residential sector, against the goal capacity of 4,000 MW, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Under the scheme, a sum of Rs 2917.59 crore has been made available to them. Additionally, 4.3 lakh people were said to have benefited from Phase II of the Rooftop Solar Program.
For whom is the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana open to applications?
The program is designed for households with low and moderate incomes.
In order to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, what documents are required?
Similar to other government-run programs, applicants must provide documentation of their identification, address, income, and date of birth while registering for the program.
To apply for the plan, provide the necessary paperwork:
Voter ID card Aadhaar Ration card
Utility bills Proof of income
Passbook for bank accounts
Conclusion
the announcement of the "Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a significant step towards achieving the goal of expanding rooftop solar capacity in India. This initiative aims to provide rooftop solar power systems to one crore low- and middle-class households, fostering energy self-sufficiency and reducing electricity costs for citizens.
India has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, particularly solar power, as highlighted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's data on the country's installed capacity. Despite challenges in meeting previous goals, the government's commitment is evident through initiatives like the Rooftop Solar Program and the extended deadline for capacity expansion.
The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana builds upon previous efforts, emphasizing the importance of rooftop solar systems in achieving sustainability, reducing electricity bills, and contributing to environmental goals. The call for a nationwide campaign to encourage homeowners to adopt rooftop solar panels further underscores the government's commitment to popularizing this renewable energy source.
As India grapples with increasing energy demand, the International Energy Agency's insights emphasize the critical role renewable energy, particularly solar power, plays in meeting the country's future energy needs. The success of the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana will not only benefit individual households but also contribute to India's broader vision of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Overall, the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana represents a strategic move towards sustainable energy practices, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and ensuring a cleaner, more secure energy future for India.
Note for UPSC Aspirants: For UPSC aspirants interested in exploring further, here are some keywords to guide your research:Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, rooftop solar, Narendra Modi, renewable energy, solar capacity, residential sector, DISCOM, net metering, energy self-sufficiency, 500 GW by 2030,energy security, carbon emission reduction, Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Comments