Patna: The Bihar Cabinet has approved additional financial assistance of up to Rs 20,000 per household for residential consumers installing rooftop solar systems under the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Patna Press reported, citing a state government statement issued on Wednesday, Patna Press reported.
Under the new arrangement, the state will provide Rs 10,000 per kW of installed capacity, subject to a maximum contribution of Rs 20,000 per consumer, over and above the assistance already extended by the Centre. The state government said the move was aimed at lowering the upfront cost of rooftop solar installations and encouraging more households to generate their own electricity.
According to the government, combined central and state assistance will amount to Rs 40,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs 80,000 for a 2 kW system, and up to Rs 98,000 for systems of 3 kW and above. The state’s contribution will remain capped at Rs 20,000 even for installations exceeding 2 kW.
The additional support will be extended to eligible residential consumers on a first-come, first-served basis, with the government capping the scheme at five lakh beneficiaries. The eventual financial liability for the state will depend on the number of consumers who take up the offer and the total rooftop capacity installed, the government said, estimating a maximum outgo of Rs 1,000 crore.
Consumers can also access collateral-free loans of up to Rs 2 lakh at an interest rate of 5.75 per cent for rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW under the central scheme, according to the state government.
Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar, also known as Bulo Mandal, said the decision would reduce the initial cost of rooftop solar installations for domestic consumers and encourage households to adopt solar energy. Energy Secretary and Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited Chairman-cum-Managing Director Ajay Yadav said the department would continue to review implementation to ensure eligible consumers received the assistance within the stipulated process.
Nearly 26,000 households in Bihar have already installed rooftop solar systems through empanelled companies under the scheme, the state government said, adding that the new subsidy was expected to widen participation and expand household-level solar generation. The state assistance will remain subject to the five lakh consumer ceiling, with applications considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
