District officials in Banka have directed departments to link residential electricity consumers using more than 250 units monthly to the PM Surya Ghar scheme within a week, addressing low adoption rates as deployment targets lag behind expectations.
The district administration is pushing to accelerate rooftop solar installations across Banka, ordering a special campaign to bring eligible households into the national renewable energy program. District Magistrate Anshul Agarwal instructed officials during a review meeting to ramp up publicity and mobilize departmental employees to submit applications within seven days through special camps set up at the block level, according to Bhaskar.
Current Solar Deployment Figures in Banka
Local adoption of the rooftop solar initiative remains well behind the administration’s goals. Out of the total pool, 1,600 residents have submitted applications so far, while solar panels have been successfully installed on the roofs of 268 beneficiaries, Bhaskar reported. To bridge this gap, the power utility has received specific orders to target heavy users—specifically households whose monthly electricity consumption crosses 250 units—and guide them through the registration and application process.
Local Officials Mobilize Residents for Solar Program
The administration is expanding its outreach beyond regular administrative channels by involving local elected representatives and Primary Agriculture Credit Society (PACS) presidents and members. These community figures are tasked with informing residents about the financial advantages of the solar program and motivating them to apply. Officials across all departments must coordinate public awareness efforts to ensure eligible families secure the benefits, Bhaskar noted.
Nationwide Solar Program Offers Residential Subsidies
Nationwide adoption of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has expanded rapidly since its launch in February 2024 with a financial outlay of Rs 75,021 crore, according to reporting by Moneycontrol. The program aims to cover one crore households, offering residential subsidies ranging from Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system up to a maximum of Rs 78,000 for installations of 3 kW or higher. Central financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary bank account once installation, inspection, net metering, and commissioning formalities are complete.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi stated that out of lakhs of households equipped with rooftop solar panels under the initiative, more than 21 lakh homes have reduced their electricity bills to zero, News On AIR reported. Joshi noted that India’s installed solar capacity has surged by roughly six thousand percent over the past 12 years, with solar energy costs dropping from approximately eight rupees per unit in 2014-15 to two rupees and 15 paise.