Pune: The Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme has brought significant relief to domestic consumers in the Pune region, with the installation of 2,748 rooftop solar projects generating a combined capacity of 13.73 megawatts.
These installations are helping homeowners avail up to 360 free electricity units per month, with many consumers now paying zero electricity bills. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) reports that an additional 460 rooftop projects are currently under development.
The scheme offers domestic consumers the opportunity to generate free electricity through solar panels installed on their rooftops, with capacities ranging from 1 to 3 kilowatts. Consumers can generate between 120 to 360 units of electricity each month without any cost. For those looking to install these systems, various banks are offering loans at subsidized interest rates. MSEDCL has also streamlined the process, providing automatic approval for installations up to 10 kilowatts and facilitating the installation of solar net meters.
Chief Engineer Rajendra Pawar emphasized the importance of greater participation in the scheme, which has already seen the approval of 13,677 applications across the Pune region.
Within Pune city, 1,391 rooftop solar projects have been successfully implemented, while Pimpri-Chinchwad has 771 operational projects. The rural areas of Mulshi, Velhe, Haveli, Ambegaon, Junnar, Khed, and Maval collectively account for 586 installations.
Under the scheme, any surplus electricity generated by the solar installations is purchased by MSEDCL, with the credit being applied to the customer’s electricity bill. The central government is also providing direct subsidies for the installation of these solar systems.
Domestic consumers are eligible for financial assistance of INR 30,000 for 1-kilowatt systems, INR 60,000 for 2-kilowatt systems, and up to INR 78,000 for installations exceeding 3 kilowatts. For housing societies and electric vehicle charging stations, the subsidy extends to INR 18,000 per kilowatt for systems up to 500 kilowatts, with a maximum subsidy of INR 90 lakhs.
MSEDCL, in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Corporation and MASMA, will host an exhibition at the Rasta Peth Administrative Building on Tuesday, the 24th, starting at 11 AM. The exhibition aims to inform citizens about the benefits and details of the Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme. Citizens are encouraged to attend and gain insights into the scheme's offerings and procedures.