In a significant move to accelerate solar adoption, the Rajasthan government has commenced the direct transfer of an enhanced state subsidy of Rs 17,000 to households that have installed rooftop solar systems. State Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar announced the development on Wednesday, marking a major step in the state's green energy ambitions.
Subsidy Details and Combined Benefits
Minister Nagar clarified that this state-level financial incentive is provided in addition to the maximum central government assistance of Rs 78,000 available under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. This powerful combination means that eligible, registered consumers who install rooftop solar panels can now avail themselves of up to Rs 95,000 in combined state and central support.
Furthermore, these consumers continue to benefit from the government's scheme offering 150 units of free electricity every month. The initiative is strategically designed to promote widespread use of solar energy across Rajasthan by making the initial investment virtually free for the consumer.
Making Solar Installation Cost-Neutral
The government estimates the total cost of installing a 1.1 kW rooftop solar plant, capable of generating approximately 150 units per month, to be around Rs 50,000. With the central government providing a subsidy of Rs 33,000 and the state government now contributing Rs 17,000, the net cost for the consumer effectively becomes zero.
Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JVVNL) has already initiated the transfer process. As per the minister's statement, an amount of Rs 28.73 lakh has been deposited into the bank accounts of 169 beneficiary consumers in the initial phase.
Application Process and Current Reach
Eligible consumers who own their rooftops can apply for the scheme through multiple convenient channels. These include the portals of the Rajasthan discoms (JVVNL, JDVVNL, AVVNL), the Bijli Mitra mobile application, or the designated web portal. The process is streamlined: once the rooftop solar system is installed and the central financial assistance is credited, the respective discom transfers the state subsidy directly to the consumer's linked bank account.
The response has been encouraging. In the operational area of Jaipur discom alone, 547 consumers have installed rooftop solar systems, out of which 169 have already received the newly announced state subsidy. This indicates a growing appetite for solar solutions among Rajasthan's residents, bolstered by strong government backing.
This enhanced subsidy framework positions Rajasthan as a leading state in promoting decentralized solar power. By significantly reducing the financial barrier, the government aims to empower households, reduce grid dependency, and contribute to the nation's renewable energy targets.
