From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 9: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) held a day-long workshop to encourage adoption of PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

The workshop saw a huge attendance from the various Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) from Bangalore and the Solar rooftop vendors that brainstormed and discussed the implementation of the scheme at Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) Human Resource Development Centre at Hoodi, Whitefield.

“Out of 5.15 lac registration to the scheme, 1.17 lakh applicants have been accepted under this scheme. To execute this scheme, 353 private vendors have registered in MNRE portal. We aim to promote the scheme,” Energy Minister K J George said.

“Promoting use of solar energy in households across the state and thereby reducing dependence on conventional energy sources and contributing to our national renewable energy targets,” Mahantesh Bilagi, Managing Director, BESCOM, said during the workshop.

He explained that the government provides a subsidy ranging from Rs 30,000 up to Rs 78,000 for domestic grid-connected rooftop plants and loan facilities available from the Banks to install the Solar panels.

At present to avail of the loan facility the Banks have fixed the age limit of 65 years. Consumers above 65 years desire to avail of the bank loan, they can give their family members as co-borrowers, said the representative of SLBC.

Further, SLBC representative said that Banks will not ask for any collateral security to avail of the loan facility to PM Surya Ghar.

However, Apartment Federations representatives pointed out that, while applying the loans, Banks are considered them as MSME, though Apartments have not come under MSME purview.

To release loans to Apartments, MNRE has not issued specific guidelines, now we have requested MNRE to issue guidelines with regard to apartment federations, SLBC representative replied.

The government is actively looking to target non-Gruha Jyothi consumers, who are estimated to be around 37 lakh households in the state.

BESCOM is the state nodal agency for the speedy implementation of Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna.

The Centre has launched the scheme for the rooftop solar segment – PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. With a total outlay of Rs 750 billion until 2025-26, the scheme aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units monthly to 10 million households across the country.

Advantages of grid-connected Rooftop Solar System

• No need for extra space.
• Government subsidy up to Rs 78,000
• Immediate relief from the electricity bill.
• Increased use of Renewable energy
• Minimum maintenance cost.
• Reduced Carbon Emissions
• Subsidy by MNRE

No Plant Capacity Applicable Subsidy

1. 1Kw – upto 2kw Capacity Rs 30,000-60,000
2. Upto 2 Kw – 3 Kw Capacity Rs 60,000-78,000
3. More than 3kw – Rs 78,000/- Maximum fixed