Daily News Analysis

Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana

stylish_lining

Recently, Prime Minister announced Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana under which 1 crore households will get rooftop solar power systems.

 India’s Status of Current Solar Capacity

  • India currently stands at 4th place globally in solar power capacity.
  • As per Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), solar power installed capacity in India has reached around 73.31 GW as of 2023.
  • Solar power has the major share in the country’s current renewable energy capacity, which stands at around 180 GW.
  • In total solar capacity, Rajasthan is at top with 18.7GW followed by Gujarat.
  • As of 2023, Rooftop solar installed capacity is around 11.08 GW.
  • Gujarat (2.8 GW) tops the rooftop solar capacity followed by Maharashtra.

What is Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana?

  • Aim- To equip 1 crore poor to middle-class households with rooftop solar panels in a bit to provide electricity from solar energy.

Significance of the Scheme

  • Cost effective- It will reduce the electricity bill for poor and middle class.
  • In a solar rooftop system, there is only an upfront capital investment and minimal cost for maintenance.
  • Aatmanirbar Bharat- It will push India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in the energy sector.
  • Additional income- It will provide income to generate surplus electricity generation.
  • Massive national campaign- It will mobilize residential segment consumers to adopt rooftop solar in large numbers.
  • Reaching the targets- It could help India achieve net zerotarget by 2070.
  • India aims to reach 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, hence expanding solar energy is crucial to achieve this target.
  • It seems to be a new attempt to help reach the target of 40 GW rooftop solar capacity.
  • Saves electricity cost - It reduces the consumption of the grid-connected electricity and saves electricity cost for the consumer.

As per the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) report, the residential sector currently accounts for just 20% of the installations of rooftop solar capacity.

What is the Rooftop Solar Program?

  • Launch year- 2014
  • About- To promote the installation of solar panels on the roofs of residential, community, institutional, industrial and commercial buildings.
  • Aim- To achieve a cumulative capacity of 40 GW of rooftop solar by 2022.
  • Implementation- By Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in collaboration with the State Government and distribution companies (DISCOMs)
  • Scheme extension- 2022 to 2026
  • Central financial assistance- Given to eligible projects and DISCOMs that facilitate the installation and operation of rooftop solar systems.

At the end of 2023, the total solar installed capacity in the country had reached only 73.3 GW, of which grid-connected rooftop solar contributed just about 11 GW.

What steps were taken to promote solar energy?

  • Solar park scheme- Aims to facilitate the setting up of large-scale solar power projects in solar parks, which are zones of land with suitable infrastructure and access to the grid.
  • National Solar Mission- One of the 8 key National Mission’s which comprise India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
  • Viability Gap Funding scheme (VGF)- One-time grant implemented through Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  • Central Public Sector Undertaking Scheme (CPSU) - Aims to achieve 12 GW of solar power capacity from CPSUs by 2023.
  • Defence Scheme- Aims to promote the installation of solar power plants by the defence sector and the para-military forces.
  • Canal bank and Canal top Scheme- Aims to promote the installation of solar power plants on the banks and tops of the canals.
  • Bundling scheme- Aims to promote the installation of solar power plants by bundling the solar power with the thermal power from the unallocated quota of the central generating stations (CGS).
  • PM KUSUM scheme- Aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers in India, along with honouring India’s commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) - Scheme for high efficiency solar aims to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports in the solar sector.
  • Green Energy Corridors- Established to create intra-state transmission system for renewable energy projects.
  • International Solar Alliance- A joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions with an aim of One Sun, One World, One Grid.

INS Nistar

The Nistar is India’s first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, marking a step forward in the country’s naval self-reliance. Key Highlights of the Nistar:
Share It

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

The National Commission for Minorities is currently facing a leadership vacuum. Since the retirement of the previous Chairperson and members in April 2025, the Commission is awaiting the appointme
Share It

North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24)

The second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report was recently released by NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Developmen
Share It

Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency

The study by Nomura researchers calls for reform of India’s Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, particularly to better protect small cars. Key Highlights of the Study: 1.
Share It

Delhi’s Fuel Ban for Old Vehicles

The Delhi Government has faced considerable backlash following its fuel ban for old vehicles under a directive from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The ban was implemented to cur
Share It

India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 has sparked controversy by attributing part of the negative change in forest cover to the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. The claim has been contested b
Share It

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is a crucial international agreement that plays a key role in the conservation and sustainable use of plant g
Share It

Green Climate Fund (GCF)

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has recently approved over USD 120 million to support climate resilience projects in Ghana, the Maldives, and Mauritania. This funding aims to assist these countries i
Share It

Quad Critical Minerals Initiative

The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative launched by the United States, India, Australia, and Japan marks a significant shift in global geopolitics and economic strategy, especially with regard to cr
Share It

NITI Aayog's Proposal

NITI Aayog's proposed roadmap to boost India's chemical exports is a significant step toward enhancing the country's position in global chemical supply chains and addressing existing i
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS