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Blockchain, smart materials, among innovative projects mooted in PM solar scheme

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Last Updated23/09/2024

As part of the ₹75,000-crore PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a ₹500-crore sub-component for “Innovative Projects.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced a ₹500-crore sub-component for Innovative Projects under the ₹75,000-crore PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
This initiative aims to encourage companies and individuals to propose novel solutions related to rooftop solar installations.

The programme will support projects focusing on advanced technologies like:
- Blockchain-based peer-to-peer rooftop solar (RTS) systems.
- Digital solutions for managing rooftop solar installations.
- Smart building materials integrating solar panels.
- RTS integrated with electric vehicles (EV).
- Grid-responsive RTS with battery storage solutions.
- DISCOM (Distribution Company) management systems for RTS.
Projects are expected to have a maximum duration of 18 months, and financial assistance will be capped at 60% of the total project cost, with a ceiling of ₹30 crore per project. The National Institute for Solar Energy (NISE), a subsidiary of MNRE, will oversee the scheme's implementation.

Launched on February 29, 2024, the PM Surya Ghar scheme aims to significantly increase solar rooftop capacity by enabling households to generate their own electricity. With a total allocation of ₹75,021 crore, the scheme will run until FY 2026-27.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced that 1.3 crore families have registered for the scheme since its launch. By March, 3.75 lakh homes had installed rooftop solar connections. Households are eligible for a subsidy of up to ₹78,000 per installation.
In contrast to previous schemes, applicants can now select vendors of their choice through an online platform and avail subsidised loans from banks to finance the installations.