Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana

GS Paper II Government Schemes

Context:

The Prime Minister launched ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ with the target of installing rooftop solar on one crore houses.

Background: In 2014, the government launched the Rooftop Solar Programme that aimed to achieve a cumulative installed capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) or 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2022. However, this target couldn’t be achieved.
As a result, the government extended the deadline from 2022 to 2026.
The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana seems to be a new attempt to help reach the target of 40 GW rooftop solar capacity.
Renewable Energy Target of India: The government, since 2010, has been claiming to install 100 GW by 2022 — 60 GW from utility projects (mega concentrated solar parks) and 40 GW from rooftop solar projects.
- So far, about 56 GW has been installed in the utilities (July 2023) and 12 GW in rooftops.
- Of the nearly 12 GW of rooftop solar installations as of July 2023, about 87% are “non-residential”.

This scheme aims to equip 1 crore households with ro equip 1 crore households with rooftop solar panels.

Common People: It will help reduce monthly electricity bills of common people and middle class households.
Environment: Solar energy is clean and renewable. So, it will help reduce air pollution when compared to coal or oil based power.
Self-Sufficiency: It will support India’s goal to shift towards renewable energy and be self- sufficient in the energy sector.

India’s Current Solar Capacity: According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, solar power installed capacity in India is around 73.31 GW as of December 2023.
- Solar power has a major share in the country’s current renewable energy capacity, which is around 180 GW.
Share of Rooftop solar installed capacity: It is around 11.08 GW as of December 2023.
State with Largest Solar Capacity: Regarding total solar capacity, Rajasthan is at the top with 18.7 GW, followed by Gujarat at the second position with 10.5 GW.
State with Largest rooftop solar capacity: Gujarat tops the list with 2.8 GW and Maharashtra by 1.7 GW.

Launched in 2014, the scheme aims to expand India’s rooftop solar installed capacity in the residential sector by providing Central Financial Assistance.
The programme’s goal is to increase rooftop solar installed capacity to 40 GW by March 2026 and it is currently in its second phase.
Owing to the scheme, the country’s rooftop solar has increased from 1.8 GW as of March 2019 to 10.4 GW as of November 2023.

News Source: The Hindu

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