New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- The Delhi government on Monday opened registration for its rooftop solar programme, offering a combined Centre and Delhi government subsidy of up to Rs 1.56 lakh and targeting 2.30 lakh households in the first phase. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Power Minister Ashish Sood launched the 'Delhi PM Surya Ghar' portal at the Delhi Secretariat.
The portal, solar.delhi.gov.in, will allow residents to register for rooftop solar systems, access subsidy-related information, select authorised vendors and raise complaints. Applications opened on Monday and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Under the scheme, the Centre provides a subsidy of up to Rs 78,000 for systems of up to 3 kW, while the Delhi government has announced an additional subsidy of the same amount. The government said domestic consumers with average monthly consumption of up to 400 units can get rooftop systems of up to 3 kW without upfront payment under the arrangements put in place for the scheme.
Addressing the launch, Gupta said the programme was aimed at expanding rooftop solar while reducing household electricity expenses.
"The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is not just about announcing schemes, but about taking facilities to people in a way that delivers a direct benefit in their daily lives," she said.
Gupta also said the initiative would cover households with limited rooftop space. Systems of up to 2 kW are being encouraged for smaller homes, while assistance for solar installations in common areas and open spaces of group housing societies has been increased from Rs 2,000 per kW to Rs 11,000 per kW. A separate incentive has also been announced for consumers in the 0-200 unit monthly consumption category. According to the government, consumers reducing their electricity use after installing solar panels will receive a financial incentive linked to the units saved.
The government has adopted a Utility Led Aggregation model for eligible low-income and economically weaker households, under which solar systems will be installed without upfront payment. Vendors will handle operation and maintenance for the first five years, after which maintenance will be arranged through discoms and authorised agencies.
Sood said the portal marked an expansion of the government's approach to providing electricity benefits through rooftop generation.
"The scheme brings both free electricity and income opportunities for residents through rooftop solar panels," he said.
Sood said the government had retained the existing free electricity provision while adding rooftop generation as another benefit for eligible households.
"In the first phase, the target is to provide free rooftop solar panels to more than 2.30 lakh families," he said, adding that Delhi could move towards becoming a "Solar Capital" through wider adoption of rooftop systems.
The minister also said consumers could use solar-generated power for nearly 25 years and potentially earn through surplus electricity generation.
The government said the portal will serve as a single platform for applications, scheme information, subsidy details, authorised vendors and complaints.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.