20 lakh households got rooftop solar systems under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Pralhad Joshi

New Delhi: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said that over 20 lakh households have got rooftop solar systems installed across the country under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and very soon another 30 lakh will be added.

Addressing the inaugural of the states' review meeting of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM schemes, Joshi said,

"Now (rooftop installation at) 20 lakh (households) is completed and very shortly we will be adding another 30 lakh. Overall, our target is one crore households (under the scheme)." 

He further informed that he has approved a utility-led model for all those people who don't have a roof over their heads.

"Some states have planned to do it (install rooftop solar) at a very fast pace. One of such states is Andhra Pradesh. Some of the states had sent us a demand to implement this utility-led model. We have approved it," he added.

While asking states to be proactive to get maximum benefit under the scheme, he said this is demand-driven and the benefits will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

He also stated that there are issues in compliance in various schemes, grid connectivity and license and asked states to be more proactive.  He also announced that the second phase of PM-KUSUM will be launched after the present phase ends in March 2026.

About the 550 GW renewable energy target by 2030, he said, "We have achieved nearly 251.5 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based capacity. We need to get another 248GW in another five years. It is both a challenge and an opportunity. That is why I have called a meeting of all state agencies."

He noted that today India has 100 GW module manufacturing capacity in the country. Around Rs 50,000 crore has been invested, and more than 12,600 people have got direct employment under this scheme, he noted.

Noting that the GST cut on renewable energy devices and services from 12 per cent to 5 per cent makes technologies like solar equipment, windmills, biogas plants, and waste-to-energy systems more affordable, he said. "I am confident that states will actively promote these more than before."