Rooftop solar installations cross 16,000 a day under PM Surya Ghar scheme: Pralhad Joshi
New Delhi, August 6
Rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana have crossed 16,000 per day in July 2026, more than three times the pace recorded in October 2025, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday.
Addressing an energy sector event in New Delhi, the minister said the scheme has expanded to benefit 50 lakh households, while helping create a nationwide rooftop solar ecosystem and supporting domestic renewable energy manufacturing.
"PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is transforming India's energy landscape by taking clean energy directly to households. Today, the scheme has expanded to benefit 50 lakh households. The pace of installations has accelerated more than threefold, from around 5,000 installations per day in October 2025 to over 16,000 per day in July 2026," Joshi said.
He added that India is approaching the milestone of 300 GW of installed non-fossil fuel power capacity and remains on track to achieve its target of 500 GW by 2030.
The minister highlighted a series of policy and regulatory measures undertaken by the government to strengthen the renewable energy ecosystem. These include the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, the Green Energy Corridor programme, reduction in GST on renewable energy devices and components, extension of Basic Customs Duty exemptions on capital goods for lithium-ion cell manufacturing for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the Renewable Energy Equipment Import Monitoring System.
Calling for greater investment in innovation, Joshi urged the industry to strengthen research and development in next-generation solar technologies, energy storage solutions and other emerging clean energy technologies.
Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy said India's energy security will increasingly depend on its ability to manufacture clean energy technologies and build resilient domestic supply chains.
"As India accelerates its clean energy transition, energy security is no longer defined solely by access to resources. It is increasingly shaped by our ability to manufacture, innovate and build resilient domestic supply chains for the technologies of the future," Kumaraswamy said.
The discussions at the event focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing, accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies, enhancing regional cooperation and building resilient supply chains to support India's long-term energy transition.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, things are moving! I remember seeing the initial targets and feeling skeptical — but 50 lakh households is real progress. We are a large country, but if the pace is this accelerated, PM Surya Ghar Moft Bijli Yojana could be one of the most impactful policies in our energy space. Also, that push for domestic manufacturing will create jobs too. Well done.
The pace is impressive, but I have a few questions. How is the Net Metering policy in different states? Some states are still not giving fair credits for excess generation. Also, what about maintenance — who takes care of the panels after installation? If there are no MCOs (multiple consumer grievances) mechanisms in place, people might lose trust. Let's not just count installations, but also measure satisfaction.
It's positive to see India taking climate action so seriously. I visited Pune recently and noticed many residential buildings with solar panels. There's a visible change compared to two years ago. I just hope the grid infrastructure is properly upgraded to handle all the distributed generation. Also, the EV charging integration is the next logical step. Good work, but no time to be complacent.
As a teacher in a government school, I see how expensive electricity is for many families. This scheme is a blessing. My neighbour got her house wired for solar, and now she runs her sewing machine all day without worries. The 'Muft Bijli' part is literally true for her, barring the EMI. I wish the government could focus on community-level solar projects too, especially for apartments that don't have roofs of their own.
D Deepak U