Kashmir switches to solar, but users flag gaps in on-ground system

Thousands of electricity consumers in Kashmir have, over the past several months, opted for rooftop solar systems under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which provides up to 300 units of free electricity per month, officials said.

Under this central scheme, consumers also receive subsidies after installation, significantly reducing the overall cost. According to the PM Surya Ghar national portal, 16,212 installations have been completed across the Union Territory, and the Centre has released Rs 119.2 crore in subsidies so far.

For a 3 kW rooftop solar system, the total cost is approximately Rs 1.59 lakh. Of this, the Centre provides a subsidy of Rs 85,800, while the UT government returns around Rs 9,000 to the consumer. Officials said that a 1 kW solar system generates up to 1,300 units annually.

Of the more than 16,000 installations, sources said over 8,000 are in Kashmir. Officials expect the number to rise by several thousand by the end of the current financial year. Vendors involved in installing the systems say 2025 has been a promising year for the scheme as awareness has grown and more residents are opting in.

"The awareness about the scheme has increased significantly, and many people have installed rooftop systems," said one vendor who installed more than 100 units this year. He noted that drastically lower electricity bills have been a major incentive.

Major scope for improvement

Despite the rising uptake, consumers say the scheme requires significant improvements. Mudasir Ahmad, a Srinagar resident who installed a system this year, said that while solar power helps reduce electricity bills, daytime power cuts prevent effective solar generation.

"Since it is an on-grid system, it generates electricity only when grid power is available. Power disruptions defeat the purpose. On many days, during shutdowns, there was no solar generation at all," he said.

Another resident said the government's existing billing website and app need a major overhaul, especially regarding solar-related data.

"It should provide clear, real-time details on generation, consumption, exported units and other parameters. Everything should be easily accessible," he said.

A senior official associated with the project said the administration is working to improve user experience. "Whether it is ensuring uninterrupted power during solar hours or other related issues, the department is continuously working to enhance the existing system," the official said.