India soon to have 50L rooftop solar systems: Joshi
Aiming to achieve the one crore rooftops mark across the country
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Over 20 lakh households have got rooftop solar systems installed across the country under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and very soon another 30 lakh will be added, New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday.
The minister, however, did not give any specific timeframe for achieving the halfway mark of the target to install rooftop solar equipment for one crore beneficiaries under the scheme across the country.
Addressing the inaugural of the states’ review meeting of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM schemes, Joshi said, “Now (rooftop installation at) 20 lakh (households) is completed and very shortly we will be adding another 30 lakh. Overall, our target is one crore households (under the scheme).”
He further informed that he has approved a utility-led model for all those people who don’t have a roof over their heads. “Some states have planned to do it (install rooftop solar) at a very fast pace. One of such states is Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister had also met me and given me the presentation. Some of the states had sent us a demand to implement this utility-led model. We have approved it,” he added.
He also stated that the scheme is demand-driven and the benefits will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. He asked the states to be proactive to get maximum benefit under the two schemes.
“Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, we have already seen that nearly half the beneficiaries are receiving zero electricity bills. This demonstrates a model of providing meaningful relief to citizens while ensuring long-term sustainability. I urge all states to adopt and actively promote such approaches,” he said.
He also stated that there are issues in compliance in various schemes, grid connectivity and license and asked states to be more proactive. About the 550GW renewable energy target by 2030, he said, “We have achieved nearly 251.5 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based capacity. We need to get another 248GW in another five years. It is both a challenge and an opportunity. That is why I have called a meeting of all state agencies.”
