Gujarat Announces Rs 1,000-Crore Solar Subsidy, Targets Over 3 Lakh Families

The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced an additional subsidy of Rs 1,000 crore for rooftop solar installations under the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, reducing the financial burden on households by limiting their contribution to 10 per cent for general-category beneficiaries and five per cent for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households.

The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani said the initiative was expected to directly benefit more than three lakh families across the state.

Under the revised subsidy structure, the state government will cover the remaining cost of rooftop solar systems of up to two kilowatts after accounting for central assistance and the beneficiary’s contribution.

For a one-kilowatt system costing Rs 54,000, the Centre provides a subsidy of Rs 32,400. Under the new arrangement, general-category households will pay Rs 5,400, while SC/ST beneficiaries will contribute Rs 2,700.

The state subsidy will provide additional financial assistance of Rs 16,200 to general-category households and Rs 18,900 to SC/ST households for such installations.

Similarly, a two-kilowatt rooftop solar system costing Rs 1,07,200 attracts central assistance of Rs 62,800. Following the revised structure, general-category beneficiaries will contribute Rs 10,720, while SC/ST households will pay Rs 5,360. The state government will cover the remaining amount.

The initiative aims to make rooftop solar systems more affordable for poor and middle-class families while encouraging greater adoption of renewable energy.

According to the state government, more than 14 lakh households in Gujarat have installed rooftop solar systems so far. Of these, over 8.5 lakh have adopted the systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, placing Gujarat at the top nationally under the programme.

The government said rooftop solar installations were helping households reduce electricity bills, with some families also earning income by supplying surplus electricity to the grid.