Within six months of its launch, the central government’s rooftop solar scheme, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSY), has attracted around 16,000 applications in the Bescom jurisdiction alone. The scheme provides up to 60% subsidy for installing solar rooftop systems on residential properties, driving significant interest from residents in Bengaluru and surrounding districts. Surprisingly, this interest comes despite the popularity of the state government’s Gruha Jyothi scheme, which provides zero electricity bills for households consuming under 200 units. However, senior Bescom officials believe that many applicants are either ineligible for Gruha Jyothi or only receive minimal benefits. “There are nearly 25 lakh households consuming over 200 units of power who are not eligible for Gruha Jyothi. These residents are now leaning towards PMSY for long-term savings,” a senior Bescom official stated. For some, like Praveen K, a resident of North Bengaluru, PMSY offers a solution where Gruha Jyothi falls short. “Our new construction only receives 53 units of power free, and there’s no indication the government will increase this. So, I’m applying for PMSY,” Praveen explained. Bescom officials note that with only one crore households eligible for the subsidy nationwide, a sense of urgency has grown among citizens. So far, 16,823 applications have been received, with 1,212 installations completed. The PMSY scheme has seen rapid adoption, particularly among higher-consumption households, as it offers an opportunity to significantly reduce long-term energy costs.
