Odisha has rolled out an affordable rooftop solar scheme under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, enabling households to install 1 kW rooftop solar systems by making a one-time payment of just ₹5,000. This initiative is being implemented by Tata Power-led Odisha Discoms through the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model.
The overall installation price for 1 kW rooftop solar is 65000 to 75000 rupees. But, with a cumulative subsidy of ₹55,000 (which includes ₹30,000 offered by the Central Government and ₹25,000 by the State Government), the burden on the consumer is considerably lightened.
The scheme is very beneficial to the consumers. The 1 kW system should help save about 100 units of electricity per month, which means that annual electricity bill savings will be about ₹5,000. Not only does this save home energy expenses, but it also helps the state drive towards more environmentally healthy energy.
Metering-wise, the Discoms will supply the net meter, and the solar generation meter will be supplied at the consumer cost. The system has a 5-year warranty on the parts and a 25-year warranty on the solar panels, thus enhancing reliability and performance over time.
This project is part of the wider state initiative to increase the access of renewable energy to households at a large scale and reflects the national mission of India to increase the use of solar energy. Reducing the monetary cost borne by consumers by a large margin and making the installation process easier, the Odisha rooftop solar scheme will facilitate the switching to clean energy in the residential market much faster.
