State targets solar empowerment with model villages, Rs 52-cr subsidy disbursed

Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi today chaired a State-Level Coordination Committee meeting to review the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme aims to promote solar energy adoption, provide clean energy access to households and achieve self-reliance in villages.

Solar push

- 45.90 MW capacity installed via 9,609 rooftop systems

- Rs 52.54 crore in subsidies disbursed to encourage adoption

- Model Solar Villages planned in all districts for showcasing renewable energy's potential

- ITIs have trained 2,700 students and 100 master trainers for solar installations

During the meeting, it was reported that 9,609 rooftop solar systems with a combined capacity of 45.90 MW have been installed across the state. To encourage adoption, the state government has disbursed Rs 52.54 crore in subsidies to beneficiaries.

The state is now prioritising solar installations on government buildings. The Public Works Department (PWD) is developing a centralised portal to manage data on government properties. Site surveys for 3,011 buildings have already been completed, identifying a solar generation potential of 91.78 MW. Additionally, the Department of New and Renewable Energy (NRE) has invited bids for an 8.4 MW grid-connected rooftop solar project under the CAPEX model.

To further promote renewable energy, the government plans to establish Model Solar Villages in each district under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidelines. These villages will demonstrate the transformative impact of solar power through installations like solar-based home lighting systems, solar-powered water systems, agricultural pumps and solar streetlights.

Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi emphasised the critical role of banks in facilitating the scheme, urging officials to actively engage with banks to ensure seamless loan distribution to beneficiaries.

“Haryana is making significant strides in solar energy adoption. Active collaboration between stakeholders, including financial institutions, will be key to the success of this initiative,” Joshi stated.

Haryana has also trained over 2,700 ITI students with industry-focused curricula for the installation of solar systems. Additionally, 100 ITI master trainers have been prepared to expedite the ground-level execution of solar installations.

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana targets providing free electricity to 1 crore households across India. Under the scheme, Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is offered to domestic electricity consumers, while the Haryana Government provides State Financial Assistance (SFA) to Antyodaya families on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This scheme not only reduces electricity bills but also fosters green and clean energy access in villages, empowering communities to meet their energy needs independently,” said Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, AK Singh.