India solar initiatives expand through PM Surya Ghar scheme and state proposals

The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is providing financial relief to Indian households by subsidizing rooftop solar installations. In Maharashtra, beneficiaries have reported significant reductions in monthly electricity expenditures, with some seeing bills drop from several thousand rupees to a few hundred rupees.

As the current central government scheme approaches its conclusion at the end of the financial year, the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) is exploring a proposal to extend subsidies to include Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). While current subsidies cover rooftop solar, they exclude battery storage.

Integrating battery storage aims to allow households to store surplus solar power for use during evening and night-time peak hours. This initiative is intended to reduce the burden on state distribution companies, such as the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, which currently face high costs when purchasing power from the open market to meet peak demand.