Latest news with #SuryaGharYojana
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Solar panel system to be installed at houses of local public reps soon
In a bid to promote use of solar energy among people under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the district administration has decided to install solar panel systems at the houses of local public representatives in the first phase. (Pic for representation) They would include village heads (gram pradhans), members of the block development councils (kshetra panchayats), gram panchayat members and district panchayat members, said Prayagraj district development officer (DDO) GP Kushwaha who issued directives in this regard on June 20. 'The move aims to encourage wider participation in the scheme, especially in rural areas where adoption remains low despite government subsidies,' he added. The state government is emphasising the use of natural sources of energy. Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, people get solar panel systems at subsidised rates. Despite all efforts, people in rural areas are not getting it installed in large numbers as was expected. In view of this, people are now being motivated to install solar panels in every house, said officials. The DDO has asked all the block development officers (BDOs) to motivate rural public representatives to install solar panels in the first phase, so that other people also get inspired to install it at their places. The BDOs have also been asked to develop a model village in every block where solar panels should be installed in every house so that other villages nearby are also inspired to follow suit, said officials. Currently, the district has 1,540 pradhans, 84 district panchayat members, 2,084 area panchayat members and 19,820 gram panchayat members who would all be motivated to install the solar panel systems in their homes as part of this scheme, they added. Project officer, Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency at Prayagraj, Shahid Siddiqui said so far, 4,757 solar power systems have been installed in the district while 11,136 applications have been received and are being processed. So far, 4,383 people have been granted subsidies by the government that includes ₹ 90,000 for 2KW and ₹ 1.08 lakh for 3 KW systems that are installed by the state government selected vendors under the scheme. The Government of India approved the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on February 29, 2024 to increase the share of solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households for generation and optimum utilisation of green energy.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Why Are Smart Chennai Homes Choosing Solar As A Smart Investment Option?
Most parts of India witness scorching heat and soaring temperatures during the summer. With this most households start witnessing soaring electricity bills. As cooling needs rise, homeowners find themselves paying hefty electricity bills that only increase over time. However, some homes who have shifted to a smarter, more sustainable solution are saving big on electricity bills. Across India, lakhs of families have already made the switch to rooftop solar, not just to reduce bills but also to invest in their future and safeguard themselves against rising electricity costs. Rooftop Solar Is Not A Cost, But An Investment Rooftop solar lets you generate your electricity using solar panels installed on your home's rooftop. Chennai receives approximately 300 days of sunlight per year, making it an ideal choice for solar energy generation in India. With a one-time investment in a rooftop solar system, you can cut your electricity bills by up to 90%. Paying for solar, therefore, does not become a cost; it becomes an investment. The 25-year saving advantage Let's assume your average monthly electricity bill is approximately ₹4,500 - ₹5,000. Annually, you will spend approximately ₹53,000 on your electricity bills. Assuming a tariff of ₹7.6 per unit, your annual consumption would stand at ~7000 units, for which you would need a 5 kW system. Now, here's where solar starts to shine. A 5 kW system produces ~7050 units annually. Over 25 years, that can lead to savings of ~₹68,000 per year, adding up to ~₹17–18 lakhs in total. Solar doesn't just cut costs — it builds wealth, with a 23 %+ IRR over its lifespan. Rooftop Solar Gives Better Returns Than Traditional Investments As you can see in the above example, if you spend ₹1.3-1.5 Lakh (after subsidy) for a 3kW installation, your savings on electricity bills over a period of 25 years comes to ~₹10-11 Lakhs - which is more than 25% internal rate of return. FDs typically offer 6-7% returns annually and are taxed. Gold appreciates slowly and doesn't offer yearly savings. Rooftop solar clearly offers 3x higher returns than fixed deposits, nearly double the returns from gold, and even outperforms most mutual funds. Plus, government subsidies under PM Surya Ghar Yojana can reduce your system cost significantly by up to ₹78,000 for homeowners. Not all Rooftop Solar Are The Same. In Chennai's cyclone-prone climate, durability and quality matter. Many fly-by-night solar vendors cut corners, use substandard materials, and provide solar systems that fail to perform in the long run, leading to poor generation, risky rooftop installations, and zero after-sale support. All this can put your home and investment at risk. That's where SolarSquare comes in — a company that's rethinking rooftop solar to adapt to India's changing weather conditions. Rooftop Solar designed specially for cities like Chennai At SolarSquare, rooftop solar goes beyond just installing panels - safety, savings, and service are engineered into every system. Cyclone-Proof Structure: Our WindPro Mount™ , developed in-house and approved by IIT Bombay, is India's first storm-proof mounting structure. It's designed to withstand winds of up to 170 kmph — perfect for coastal cities like Chennai. , developed in-house and approved by IIT Bombay, is India's first storm-proof mounting structure. It's designed to withstand winds of up to 170 kmph — perfect for coastal cities like Chennai. Guaranteed Savings: India's only solar company to offer a Savings Guarantee — if your system doesn't generate the promised units, there is a compensation of ₹8 per unit. — if your system doesn't generate the promised units, there is a compensation of ₹8 per unit. Professional Maintenance: From regular cleaning to performance checks, there is focus to ensure the system runs like new, year after year. Proven Results: Take Ramesh from SM Nagar in Chennai, for instance. His 5.4 kW system was up and running within a month. 'I'm really happy with the workmanship and the generation I'm seeing. I am now getting a generation of between 750-850 units per month, which seems to be nice,' he says. Eager to know how much you can save? Use the free solar calculator to get a more personalised estimate based on your electricity usage. At SolarSquare, we believe solar isn't just for sunshine — it's for storms too. With the right solar, you don't just reduce your bills. You secure your future. 'This article is part of sponsored content programme.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
High cost of domestic solar panels undermines subsidy gains for farmers
Farmers installing solar plants to irrigate their land feel cheated as the increasing prices of domestically made panels nullify the subsidy provided by the central and state govts. Prices of solar panels made in the country currently command ₹28 a watt compared to about ₹14 for the assembled panels, which are made of imported solar cells. With the rising cost, the impact of the 60 per cent subsidy provided by the Union and the state govt (30 per cent each) reduces the benefits by up to 50 per cent. As a result, farmers said that a 5-kW plant, which required about ₹2.7 lakh investment, will now need ₹4 lakh. These projects are mandated to use Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) panels to be eligible for the subsidies. Disappointed with the higher panel rates, a farmer in a social media post even accused the govt of corruption as the benefits promised under the subsidy scheme are not available to him. The shortage of DCR panels has been jacking up prices in India for a long time, forcing vendors to delay project implementation. They accuse the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ) of rolling out schemes with mandatory use of DCR panels without having an adequate supply. "It is benefitting a few manufacturers who are into the production of DCR modules. If the country does not have enough capacity, then the stipulation should be removed for the smooth implementation of the projects," said a vendor preferring anonymity. In DCR modules, solar cells need to be manufactured in India. But the country currently does not have enough cell production capacity. The majority of panel manufacturing volume is made of imported solar cells. The govt has made the DCR mandatory for certain projects, including Kusum and PM Surya Ghar Yojana . Delay in availability risks pushing deadlines further for achieving targets set by MNRE.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Domestically made solar panels cost doubles, raises project cost
Jaipur: Farmers installing solar plants to irrigate their land feel cheated as the increasing prices of domestically made panels nullify the subsidy provided by the central and state govts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prices of solar panels made in the country currently command Rs 28 a watt compared to about Rs 14 for the assembled panels, which are made of imported solar cells. With the rising cost, the impact of the 60% subsidy provided by the Union and the state govt (30% each) reduces the benefits by up to 50%. As a result, farmers said that a 5-kW plant, which required about Rs 2.7 lakh investment, will now need Rs 4 lakh. These projects are mandated to use Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) panels to be eligible for the subsidies. Disappointed with the higher panel rates, a farmer in a social media post even accused the govt of corruption as the benefits promised under the subsidy scheme are not available to him. The shortage of DCR panels has been jacking up prices in India for a long time, forcing vendors to delay project implementation. They accuse the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of rolling out schemes with mandatory use of DCR panels without having an adequate supply. "It is benefitting a few manufacturers who are into the production of DCR modules. If the country does not have enough capacity, then the stipulation should be removed for the smooth implementation of the projects," said a vendor preferring anonymity. In DCR modules, solar cells need to be manufactured in India. But the country currently does not have enough cell production capacity. The majority of panel manufacturing volume is made of imported solar cells. The govt has made the DCR mandatory for certain projects, including Kusum and PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Delay in availability risks pushing deadlines further for achieving targets set by MNRE.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Schools to harness solar power to meet electricity demand
1 2 Prayagraj: All govt, aided and unaided schools of Prayagraj will soon have solar rooftop plants installed under PM Surya Ghar Yojana to meet the electricity demand. This initiative aims not only to reduce electricity bills but also to teach students about the importance of renewable energy sources. Sources said principals of all secondary schools in the district have been asked to begin preparations for this transformation. The initiative falls under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and is supported by the office of the chief development officer (CDO). The goal is to ensure that schools can meet a substantial portion of their electricity needs through self-generated solar energy. Schools have been advised to register on the official portal ( Following registration, vendors for solar panel installation must be selected from the empanelled list available on the UPNEDA solar rooftop portal. For any queries or support, schools may contact the project officer, UPNEDA. This step is expected to have a multifaceted impact. Financially, it will ease the electricity burden, with potential savings of up to 70% on power bills. These savings can in turn be redirected to improve infrastructure and other developmental areas in schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Environmentally, it aligns with India's broader renewable energy goals. Educationally, it provides a live model for students to learn about sustainable living and solar energy systems. The process includes either online or offline application under the scheme. A technical evaluation team will visit the school to assess the size and placement of the required panels. Only registered vendors will be permitted to carry out installations, and schools are also eligible for subsidies under the scheme. The authorities have emphasised that all related work must be completed within the current academic session, ensuring that benefits start reaching institutions as early as possible.
