Conduct campaigns to promote PM Surya Ghar Scheme at panchayat level: Shimla ADC

Shimla Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Abhishek Verma has directed officials to conduct extensive awareness and promotional campaigns at the panchayat level to ensure maximum participation in the PM Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme across the district. He issued these directions while chairing a review meeting on the scheme held in Shimla today.

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Verma revealed that only 475 applications have been received under the scheme in the district so far, highlighting the urgent need for increased promotion and public engagement. He emphasised that the scheme has the potential to significantly empower households by encouraging solar energy adoption.

The PM Surya Ghar, approved by the Central Government on February 29, 2024, aims to increase solar rooftop capacity and enable residential households to generate their own electricity. The scheme provides a 60% subsidy on the cost of solar units up to 2 kW and a 40% subsidy on additional capacity between 2 kW and 3 kW, with the subsidy capped at 3 kW.

The scheme is operated by HIMURJA (Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency) and implemented through the state electricity department.

Outlining the eligibility criteria, the ADC stated applicants must be Indian citizens and own a house with a suitable rooftop for solar panel installation. The house must also have a valid electricity connection, and the applicant’s family should not have availed of any other subsidy for solar panels in the past.

To encourage participation, Verma announced that panchayats will receive a one-time incentive of Rs 1,000 per solar rooftop installation. He urged panchayat representatives to actively spread awareness among residents, not only to enhance adoption but also to secure financial incentives for the panchayats.

As part of the Model Solar Village component, four villages — Tyawal, Chhakrail, Nerwa, and Sunda Bhoura — have been shortlisted in the Shimla district. One village will be selected based on the number of rooftop solar installations completed in the next two months. The final selection will be made by a district-level committee in the first week of September 2025.

The selected model village will be awarded Rs 1 crore to recognise its contribution to solar energy promotion. “This initiative is aimed at fostering energy self-reliance in rural communities and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy,” the ADC said.