Gujarat govt to deploy 10 lakh solar panels via PM scheme

After the announcement of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojna by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering free solar power through a rooftop scheme to 10 million homes in the country on the day of the dedication of the Lord Ram temple at Ayodhya, the Gujarat government set an ambitious target of providing rooftop solar facilities to ten lakh homes during the 2024 calendar year. The Solar Rooftop Scheme, known as the Surya-Gujarat Scheme, was launched by the state government on August 5, 2019, with the purpose of providing relief in electricity bills to residential consumers in the state and boosting green energy generation. According to a key officer at Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL), Gujarat stands at the first position in the country for the installation of solar rooftop. Gujarat contributes 81% of India?s total solar rooftop installations under MNRE's Phase?II programme, citing MNRE?s report dated December 12, 2023. MNRE circulated Gujarat?s model on awareness activities to all states. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojna, valued at over Rs 750 billion, aims to light up 10 million households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity. The scheme offers substantive subsidies and heavily concessional bank loans. The central government will ensure that there is no cost burden on the people, the official further added.