The adoption of rooftop solar plants in the national capital is gaining momentum under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna, with more than 17,000 installations completed through a joint initiative of the Delhi government and local power distribution companies (discoms), officials announced on Friday. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in an open letter to residents, urged households to embrace solar energy to support the city’s clean energy goals. Under the scheme, the Delhi government provides a capital subsidy of Rs 30,000 for solar plants up to 3 KW capacity. Banks are offering loans at rates between 6.5 and 7 per cent for rooftop solar installations. A 3 KW system attracts a total subsidy of Rs 1.08 lakh — Rs 78,000 from the central government and Rs 30,000 from the Delhi government. Consumers using up to 500 units of electricity per month can expect zero power bills after installing a 3 KW rooftop plant. Additionally, they receive a generation-based incentive (GBI) of Rs 900 per month for five years, translating into savings of roughly Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,200 per month, depending on power purchase adjustment charges by the discoms. According to BSES officials, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) have energised 11,100 rooftop solar connections so far, covering individuals, educational institutions, industries, and commercial users. These installations have collectively added over 228 MW of clean power capacity to Delhi’s grid, helping reduce emissions and electricity costs for consumers. The BSES discoms have expanded awareness through community-centric initiatives such as solar camps, mobile ‘Surya Rath’ roadshows, ‘Solar Melas’, local MLA and MP events, resident welfare association (RWA) meetings under the ‘BSES Apke Dwar’ programme, street plays, door-to-door campaigns, and social media outreach. A spokesperson for Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) reported that the company has surpassed 100 MW in cumulative rooftop solar capacity within its distribution area. Over 6,300 rooftop systems have been energised, including 4,680 domestic connections, 1,616 commercial and industrial users, and 42 systems under virtual and group net metering schemes. Under these metering schemes, surplus power generated by consumers is transferred to the main grid, for which users receive credit or incentives on their electricity bills. Officials highlighted that each new rooftop installation strengthens Delhi’s renewable energy ecosystem, empowering citizens to generate clean energy and contributing to the broader goal of a sustainable, pollution-free city.