Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana

Source: PIB
GS III: Economics; GS III: Environment & Ecology

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Solar Energy Potential
3. Steps Taken by India 

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister has announced the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana under which 1 crore households will get rooftop solar.

News in Brief

• The government will launch the Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana to install rooftop solar on 1 crore houses.
• This will not only reduce the electricity bill of the poor and middle class but will also make India self-reliant in the field of energy.

Pradhan Mantri Suryoday Scheme 2024

• The Pradhanmantri Suryoday Yojana, initiated by the Honorable Prime Minister, aims to provide rooftop solar systems to individuals from the poor and middle-class sections.
• This initiative is designed not only to decrease electricity bills but also to promote self-sufficiency in the field of energy.
• Primary objective: 
  • To illuminate every household in India.
• Pradhanmantri Suryoday Yojana Eligibility:
  • Applicants are required to be permanent residents of India.
  • The annual income of applicants should not surpass Rs 1 or 1.5 lakh.
  • All necessary documents must be submitted accurately.
  • Applicants should not be engaged in government service.
• Benefits:
  • Approximately one crore households will receive solar rooftop systems installed on their residences.
  • The scheme specifically targets assisting those who are economically disadvantaged, including citizens below the poverty line, with their electricity expenses and other issues related to lighting.
  • Participants in the scheme will have solar-powered lights installed in their homes, ensuring a continuous 24-hour supply of electricity.
  • It is envisioned as a lasting solution, offering citizens a permanent and reliable source of electricity. 

About Solar Energy Potential

• About 5,000 trillion kWh per year energy is incident over India’s land area with most parts receiving 4-7 kWh per sqm per day.
• Solar energy has taken a central place in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change with National Solar Mission (NSM) as one of the key Missions.
• NSM was launched on 11th January 2010.
• The mission’s objective is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy by creating the policy conditions for solar technology diffusion across the country as quickly as possible.
• The government of India have launched various schemes to encourage the generation of solar power in the country like Solar Park Schemes, VGF Schemes, CPSU Schemes, Defence Schemes, Canal bank & Canal top Schemes, Bundling Schemes, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Schemes etc.
• Solar power installed capacity has reached around 70.10 GW as on June 2023.

Steps Taken by India 

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 per cent under the automatic route
• Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022.
• Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments.
• Waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by June 2025.

Schemes by the Indian Government

• Solar Park Scheme: The Solar Park Scheme plans to build several solar parks, each with a capacity of nearly 500 MW, across several states.
• National Solar Mission: It is a major initiative of the Government of India and State Governments to promote ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy security challenge.
• PM KUSUM: The scheme aims to add solar and other renewable capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022 with total central financial support of Rs. 34,422 Crores.
• Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY): The AJAY scheme was launched in September 2016 for the installation of solar street lighting (SSL) systems in states with less than 50% of households covered with grid power (as per Census 2011).
• SRISTI Scheme: Sustainable rooftop implementation of Solar Transfiguration of India (SRISTI) scheme to promote rooftop solar power projects in India.
• Grid-connected Solar Rooftop programme: Launched to achieve a cumulative capacity of 40,000 MW from Rooftop Solar (RTS) Projects by the year 2022.

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