PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has come up with draft guidelines for the central financial assistance and payment security mechanism for the PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana.
- The union cabinet approved the Rs 75,000 crore PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana to benefit 1 crore families in February 2024.
- The draft guidelines have been issued under the renewable energy services company (RESCO) model and utility led asset (ULA) model of the rooftop solar scheme—‘PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana’.
- Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) Model: RESCO develops and owns the rooftop solar system installed on the consumer’s rooftop for at least five years.
- The RESCO also makes all the operational expenditures required for the maintenance of the plant, as needed.
- Customers pay the RESCO for the electricity generated and receive net metering benefits on their electricity bill.
- The RESCO may enter into an arrangement with a distribution company (discom) for the sale of generated power to the grid under a power purchase agreement.
- Utility led Asset (ULA) Model: Under it, a state discom owns the rooftop solar systems for the project period of at least of five years, after which the ownership is transferred to the household.
PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana:
- It is a central scheme to promote the adoption of solar rooftop systems by providing substantial financial subsidies and ensuring ease of installation.
- It aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in India, who opt to install roof top solar electricity units.
- The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every month.
