- Alam Say’s electricity bill drops to zero; 850 units of surplus power supplied to the grid in three and a half months
- Double subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh provided significant relief in installing the solar plant
- Rooftop solar plants installed in 1,733 homes across Surguja district so far
The ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana’ is proving to be an effective means of making families in Surguja district self-reliant in the energy sector, while also providing relief from electricity expenses. Rooftop solar plants installed on homes are no longer limited to merely meeting domestic electricity needs; beneficiaries are now generating surplus power and contributing to the electrical grid. Mr. Alam Say Rajwade, a resident of Gram Panchayat Amdarha in Ambikapur development block, stands as an inspiring example of this.
- From Electricity Consumer to Electricity Provider
Mr. Alam Say installed a solar plant on his rooftop under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana’. He mentioned that prior to the installation, his monthly electricity bill ranged from approximately ₹1,500 to ₹2,000. Since adopting solar energy, his electricity bill has remained zero for the past three and a half months, offering significant relief to the family’s monthly expenses.
Mr. Alam Say says, “Earlier, I was an electricity consumer, but now I have become an electricity provider.” He explained that the electricity generated by the solar plant first meets the household’s needs, and the surplus power is then fed into the grid.
- 850 Units of Surplus Power Supplied to the Grid in Three and a Half Months
According to Mr. Alam Say, the solar plant installed at his home generates surplus electricity beyond domestic consumption. Over a period of approximately three and a half months, about 850 units of surplus power have been supplied to the grid. Thus, his family has become a partner in energy production while simultaneously meeting their own electricity needs. Financial burden eased by a combined subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh
Shri Alam Say stated that he received financial assistance of ₹78,000 from the Central Government and ₹30,000 from the State Government to install the solar plant. Receiving a total subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh significantly reduced the financial burden of the installation. He mentioned that the entire process—from application to the actual installation of the plant—was smooth and convenient. Encouraged by the benefits of the scheme, Shri Alam Say urged other eligible electricity consumers to also avail themselves of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’.
- “Relief from electricity bills; I am very happy with the scheme”
Shri Alam Say said, “My electricity bill has been zero for nearly three and a half months. I have benefited greatly from the scheme and am very happy with it.” He expressed his gratitude to the Central and State governments for connecting ordinary households to solar energy and providing financial assistance for the same.
- Sarguja nears its target; solar plants installed in 1,733 homes
According to departmental data, a target has been set to install a total of 2,000 solar plants across the urban and rural areas of Sarguja district. Against this target, rooftop solar plants have already been installed in 1,733 homes. This figure comprises 1,360 plants in urban areas and 373 in rural areas.
Through the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’, rooftops in Sarguja are transforming into hubs for energy generation. While the scheme is reducing electricity expenses for families, it is also promoting clean and renewable energy and strengthening the district’s contribution towards energy self-reliance.