India's ambitious push for household solar power has achieved a significant milestone. As of December 2025, nearly 24 lakh households across the nation have installed rooftop solar systems under the central government's flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. This massive adoption marks a transformative step towards sustainable energy and reduced electricity costs for millions of families.
Unprecedented Growth in Residential Solar Adoption
The scheme, launched with the goal of providing free electricity to one crore households, has seen rapid uptake. The latest government data confirms that approximately 23.95 lakh households have successfully set up rooftop solar plants. This surge in installations is a direct result of the attractive financial incentives and streamlined process offered by the program. The government has made it a priority to simplify the journey for consumers, from application to installation and subsidy receipt.
The cumulative capacity installed under the scheme has now crossed an impressive 2.66 GW (gigawatts). This represents a substantial contribution to India's renewable energy capacity and underscores the scheme's role in democratizing energy access. The government's proactive approach in collaborating with banks and vendors has been crucial in driving this growth, ensuring that interested families face minimal hurdles.
How the PM Surya Ghar Scheme Empowers Households
The core promise of the PM Surya Ghar scheme is to liberate households from high electricity bills. Under the program, the central government provides a significant subsidy to reduce the upfront cost of installation. For systems up to 2 kW, the subsidy covers 60% of the cost. For systems between 2 to 3 kW, the subsidy is a flat ₹18,000 per kW, and for systems above 3 kW, it is capped at ₹78,000.
This financial model makes solar power an economically viable option for a wide range of families. Households can not only meet their own electricity needs but also earn money by selling surplus power back to the grid. The scheme is designed to create a virtuous cycle where consumers become 'prosumers'—both producers and consumers of energy. The application process is entirely digital, managed through the official national portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in), ensuring transparency and ease of access.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The success of the PM Surya Ghar scheme has far-reaching implications. On an economic level, it puts money back into the pockets of common citizens by drastically reducing or even eliminating their monthly electricity expenditure. For a country with a vast population and growing energy demands, this decentralized model of power generation also alleviates stress on the conventional grid.
Environmentally, the contribution is monumental. The 2.66 GW of installed capacity translates to a massive reduction in carbon emissions, aligning with India's commitments under global climate agreements. It fosters energy independence at the household level and promotes a culture of sustainability. The scheme also stimulates the domestic solar manufacturing and installation ecosystem, creating green jobs and boosting related industries.
As the scheme continues its journey towards the one crore household target, the current figure of nearly 24 lakh adopters serves as a powerful testament to its acceptance and potential. It showcases a successful model of public policy driving tangible change, empowering citizens while steering the nation towards a cleaner, self-reliant energy future.
