Assam Installs 1.8 MW Solar Rooftop Plants Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

Assam is moving fast towards a clean energy regime with 1.8 megawatt (MW) of solar power rooftop already installed under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The initiative, promoted by the state government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is part of a broader strategy to encourage the adoption of solar power across Assam.

Taking to social media platform X, Chief Minister Sarma said that, the Assam government has implemented a series of policy changes to ensure a smooth transition to solar energy for consumers.

As per the new changes, residential consumers with rooftop solar capacities of up to 10 kilowatt (kW) can now benefit from net metering. This means the electricity consumers generate and export to the grid, will be subtracted from what they use from the grid. Additionally, technical feasibility approvals have been waived for installations up to 10 kW, simplifying the process for consumers.

Moreover, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) will also automatically enhance the sanctioned load to 10 kW for consumers upon commissioning of their rooftop solar systems. The installation of these systems will be completed within three days, and smart meters will be provided at no extra cost to the beneficiaries.

To further support this initiative, state subsidies will be released promptly after the central subsidy has been disbursed. In addition, the government has emphasized capacity building by training 107 solar technicians through a five-day program at the MSME-Tool Room and Training Centre in Amingaon, Guwahati. Efforts to augment Distribution Transformers (DTRs) and install new ones are also underway to ensure the efficient implementation of the scheme.

This effort by the Assam government underscores its commitment to harnessing renewable energy and transitioning towards a more sustainable future.