Udupi District Achieves Significant Milestone in PM Surya Ghar Scheme Implementation
Udupi district has witnessed remarkable participation in the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with a total of 4,435 applications submitted by residents seeking to harness solar energy for their households. During a comprehensive review meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Saturday, Udupi–Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Shrinivas Poojary revealed that out of these applications, an impressive 4,413 have received financial approval from the authorities.
Implementation Progress and Beneficiary Statistics
The scheme has already translated into tangible results across the district. According to the data presented:
- 1,592 applicants have successfully selected authorized vendors for their installations.
- 1,222 rooftop solar systems have been completely installed and are operational.
- Subsidies under the government scheme have been disbursed to 1,135 beneficiaries, providing crucial financial support.
MP Poojary emphasized that the primary objective of the scheme is to substantially reduce household electricity expenses by providing free electricity through subsidized rooftop solar panels. Beyond cost savings, the initiative promotes energy independence by decreasing reliance on conventional power sources.
Economic Benefits and Power Generation Capacity
A significant advantage highlighted by the MP is the income generation potential for beneficiaries. Households can now sell their surplus solar power to the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom), creating an additional revenue stream. He explained that a standard 3-kilowatt solar system typically generates more than 300 units of electricity per month, making it both a reliable power source and a practical income generator for families.
Model Solar Village Initiative and Installation Details
To demonstrate effective implementation, one model solar village has been selected from each of the five assembly constituencies within Udupi district. The selection challenge period concluded on December 31, with the following villages and their respective installation capacities:
- Kirimanjeshwar: 26 kW installed capacity
- Kotathattu: 1,777 kW installed capacity
- Uppoor: 163 kW installed capacity
- Majoor: 13.88 kW installed capacity
- Nitte: 1,577.31 kW installed capacity
The Mysuru regional commissioner will now conduct a thorough assessment of these five model villages. The village demonstrating the most effective implementation will be awarded a government grant of ₹1 crore for the development of a dedicated solar park, further boosting local renewable energy infrastructure.
Official Directives and Environmental Impact
During the meeting, MP Poojary issued clear directives to officials, urging them to:
- Address technical issues promptly without delay
- Ensure beneficiaries face no harassment during the process
- Make meters and necessary equipment readily available to applicants
Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa TK reinforced the environmental benefits of the scheme, noting that widespread adoption of rooftop solar units will significantly reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and contribute to pollution control efforts. She stressed the importance of increasing public awareness about the subsidy benefits available under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme to encourage greater participation.
Meeting Participants and Collaborative Efforts
The review meeting saw participation from key stakeholders including Mescom superintendent engineer Narasimha, gram panchayat presidents from all five selected villages, panchayat development officers, nominated committee members, and other concerned officials. This collaborative approach ensures coordinated efforts toward achieving the scheme's objectives of promoting sustainable energy and economic empowerment across Udupi district.
