India Launches Free Solar Electricity Initiative for One Crore Households

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the PM-Free Electricity Scheme to provide up to 300 units of free electricity to one crore households via rooftop solar installations. The initiative aligns with previous budget announcements and aims to bolster renewable energy and energy security in India.

In a significant move to promote renewable energy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday launched the Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme aims to provide one crore households with up to 300 units of free electricity per month through rooftop solar installations.

'The scheme has seen remarkable participation, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications. We will continue to encourage this initiative,' said Sitharaman during her Budget 2024 speech. She emphasized that this approach aligns with the government's strategy to ensure sustainable and resource-efficient economic growth.

Prime Minister Modi had initially launched the rooftop solar scheme earlier this year. The scheme, with a total outlay of Rs 75,021 crore, intends to provide substantial subsidies for solar installations. Households can apply for these subsidies through a national portal and select vendors for installation.