Government announces additional subsidy for solar rooftop

In a state cabinet meeting held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, a decision was taken to provide additional state subsidy for families installing solar rooftop systems up to 2 kW capacity under the 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana'. Spokesperson Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani stated that due to this decision, general electricity consumers will have to contribute only 10% of the total cost, while Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) electricity consumers will have to contribute only 5%. After the Central Government assistance and the beneficiary's contribution, the state government will bear the remaining cost as a subsidy.

More than 3 lakh general and middle-class families in the state will benefit directly from this decision. The state government will bear an expenditure of approximately ₹1,000 crore, the Minister said.

As per the example provided by the Minister, the total cost of a 1 kW solar panel is ₹54,000. Previously, ₹32,400 assistance was received from the Central Government and the beneficiary had to pay ₹21,600. Now, a general citizen will have to pay only ₹5,400 and an SC/ST category citizen will have to pay only ₹2,700. For this capacity, the state government's subsidy will be ₹16,200 for the general category and ₹18,900 for the SC/ST category.

The total cost of a 2 kW solar panel is ₹1,07,200. Previously, ₹62,800 assistance was received from the Central Government and the beneficiary had to pay ₹44,400. Now, a general citizen will have to pay only ₹10,720 and an SC/ST category citizen will have to pay only ₹5,360. For this capacity, the state government's subsidy will be ₹33,600 for the general category and ₹38,960 for the SC/ST category.

According to the press release, Gujarat has been at the forefront in the country in realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's dream of 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana'. So far, more than 14 lakh families in the state have installed solar systems on their rooftops. Among them, Gujarat has secured the first position in the entire country by installing solar rooftops on more than 8.5 lakh homes specifically under the 'PM Surya Ghar' scheme. Through this scheme, citizens' electricity bills are becoming zero, and families are also earning income by generating surplus electricity.

The Spokesperson Minister stated that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, is constantly striving for the holistic development of citizens and to expand the reach of eco-friendly green energy.