Sunlight on the Roof; Relief in the Bill. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

Sunlight on the Roof; Relief in the Bill 

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

In the remote valleys and bustling towns of Jammu & Kashmir, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. Under the banner of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftops that once stood bare are now hosting solar panels; panels that are changing the way people light their homes, manage their bills, and think about energy itself.

Launched with the aim of providing 300 units of free electricity per month to one crore households across India, the scheme offers generous central subsidies up to ₹78,000 for a 3 kW solar rooftop system. In Jammu & Kashmir, this national vision has found local meaning. As of July 2025, over 1,400 households in the UT have received zero electricity bills after installing rooftop solar systems. The total installed capacity under the scheme here stands at 10.38 megawatts, from around 1,573 functioning plants—a remarkable feat in a region long known for infrastructure challenges and energy constraints.

This is more than a policy success; it is a demonstration of what well-targeted, citizen-facing governance can accomplish. Backed by easy financing from J&K Bank and other institutions, the scheme ensures that even households with modest means can invest in solar technology. Loans are offered without collateral, and the subsidy is disbursed directly through a digital, transparent mechanism.

What makes the J&K story particularly compelling is how communities have embraced the change. In Kishtwar, for instance, over 8,000 registrations have come in, and many installations are already underway. In Jammu, the district administration has launched a unique “Model Solar Village” initiative, where villages that adopt rooftop solar en masse stand to win ₹1 crore in additional development grants. Awareness drives, street-level IEC campaigns, and village meetings have turned a government scheme into a community mission.

According to the two power utilities—JPDCL and KPDCL; more than 37,000 applications have been received so far under the scheme across both divisions. Of these, over 14,900 beneficiaries have already selected vendors and are in various stages of installation. Around ₹45 crore in subsidies has been disbursed—an indication not just of interest but of execution.

Beyond economic savings, the environmental dividends are significant. Rooftop solar reduces pressure on the grid, particularly during peak winter months when J&K experiences heightened demand. It lowers carbon emissions, decentralises energy production, and introduces cleaner air—quietly but effectively contributing to India’s larger climate goals.

Yet, the progress has not been entirely without hiccups. Some delays in net metering and vendor coordination have been reported. In May 2025, media outlets noted a brief slowdown in transition from state nodal agencies like JAKEDA to DISCOMs. However, renewed administrative focus and high-level reviews by the Chief Secretary have helped course-correct.

In truth, the most powerful endorsement of the scheme comes not from policy documents but from ordinary citizens. Shopkeepers, schoolteachers, farmers—even small tailoring units—have begun to experience the real, everyday benefits of reduced electricity bills and energy independence. Religious institutions and public buildings have joined the movement, demonstrating how collective participation can amplify impact.

The PM Surya Ghar scheme, in its essence, represents a shift in perspective; from being passive consumers of electricity to becoming active generators of it. In a region that has seen its share of challenges, this quiet solar surge is a symbol of possibility. It shows that development doesn’t always arrive in loud, dramatic ways. Sometimes, it shines steadily; one rooftop at a time.

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