The PM Suryaghar Yojana, officially known as the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, is a significant initiative by the Indian government aimed at promoting solar energy adoption at the household level. Launched in 2024, the program seeks to provide free electricity to one crore households through the installation of rooftop solar units. The scheme is a part of India's broader renewable energy goals and is structured to offer financial support and incentives to encourage participation.

Key Features of the Yojana:

1. Subsidies for Solar Installation: The scheme provides substantial subsidies to households installing rooftop solar units. For systems up to 2 kW, a 60% subsidy is offered, while systems between 2 and 3 kW receive a 40% subsidy, capped at a total of 3 kW. This reduces the cost burden on households significantly, with a 3 kW system eligible for a subsidy of up to ₹78,000.
2. Loan Facilities: Households can avail of low-interest, collateral-free loans to finance their solar installations. These loans have an interest rate of approximately 7%, which could be adjusted according to changes in the Reserve Bank of India's repo rate. This financial support makes solar adoption more accessible to a broader demographic.
3. Energy Savings and Income Generation: The program guarantees substantial savings on electricity bills, promising an estimated annual savings of around ₹15,000 for households consuming up to 300 units of electricity per month. Additionally, households can sell surplus electricity back to the grid, creating an income stream.
4. Model Solar Village Component: The Scheme also includes a competitive aspect, where one village per district can be designated as a “Model Solar Village” These villages receive a ₹1 crore grant if they achieve the highest renewable energy capacity within six months of their selection. This component aims to make villages self-reliant in energy, serving as a model for others.

Implementation and Impact:
The PM-Surya Ghar Yojana is designed to be implemented through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with a financial outlay of ₹75,021 crore until FY 2026-27. The scheme is expected to significantly boost the share of solar energy in India’s energy mix, reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Overall, the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana is a forward-looking policy that aligns with global trends toward renewable energy, offering economic and environmental benefits to participants. It empowers households to take control of their energy production and contributes to the nation's broader energy and climate goals.

Summarised by Anushka Hanotiya

India’s energy landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with a strong push towards renewable energy (RE) sources. As the country aims to meet its ambitious clean energy goals, the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has emerged as a critical component for enhancing grid stability, optimizing energy distribution, and ensuring a reliable power supply. To streamline this integration, the Indian government has introduced detailed guidelines for procuring BESS, which promise to revolutionize how renewable energy is managed and delivered across the country.

The Objective: Strengthening the Grid with BESS
The primary goal of the BESS guidelines is to facilitate the seamless integration of energy storage solutions with renewable energy projects. As renewable sources like solar and wind are inherently variable, the ability to store energy and release it when needed is crucial for maintaining grid stability. BESS technology addresses this challenge by providing a reliable backup, enabling better load management, and optimizing the distribution of energy, particularly during peak demand periods.
The policy sets the stage for competitive bidding processes specifically for grid-connected BESS projects in India. These projects can be developed on either a “Build-Own-Operate” (BOO) or “Build-Own-Operate-Transfer” (BOOT) basis, encouraging private sector participation and investment in the energy storage sector.

Business Models and Uses
The guidelines identify several critical uses for BESS, highlighting the adaptability of this technology. BESS can enhance the supply of renewable energy by storing excess generation during low-demand periods and releasing it when demand peaks. Additionally, BESS can support transmission and distribution networks, providing ancillary services such as frequency control and voltage regulation. Another innovative use case involves standalone BESS operations for energy trading, offering new revenue streams for operators.

Technical Requirements: Ensuring Scalability and Efficiency
To ensure that BESS projects are both scalable and efficient, the guidelines specify minimum project sizes. For intra-state projects, a minimum capacity of 1 MW is required, while inter-state projects must have a minimum capacity of 50 MW. These requirements ensure that BESS installations are capable of delivering significant benefits to the grid, whether they are deployed at a local or national level.
These guidelines cover a comprehensive range of factors, from the objective of integrating BESS with renewable energy to the specifics of competitive bidding, business models, technical requirements, and regulatory compliance. By addressing all these areas, the policy lays the groundwork for a strong and sustainable energy infrastructure in India. As BESS becomes an integral part of the country’s energy strategy, these guidelines will help ensure that India meets its renewable energy goals while maintaining grid reliability and efficiency.

Summarised by Anushka Hanotiya

The “Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022,” published by the Central Government of India, aim to enhance the accessibility and utilization of renewable energy sources. The primary objective of these rules is to promote the use of green energy, which includes electrical energy derived from renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and storage systems that utilize renewable energy.

The Green Open Access Rules are applicable on consumer with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more, excluding captive consumers. Notably, captive consumers are not subject to any load limitations. The rules also outline the responsibilities of “obligated entities”, which include distribution licensees, captive users, and open access consumers mandated to fulfil Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs).

The Rules aim to facilitate the establishment of a streamlined process for obtaining open access to renewable energy, ensuring that consumers can easily access and utilize green energy. This includes provisions for the approval of applications for open access within a specified timeframe and the establishment of necessary infrastructure to support the transmission of renewable energy.

The key objectives of these rules are:

1. To promote the generation and consumption of renewable energy
2. Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
3. Encourage the development of a sustainable energy ecosystem in India.

By enabling easier access to green energy, the rules aim to contribute to the country’s environmental goals and enhance energy security.
Read More at: https://greenopenaccess.in/

Summarised by Anushka Hanotiya

In order to revolutionize the agricultural sector and promote sustainable energy practices, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan, known as the (PM-KUSUM) Yojna in 2019. This initiative aims to integrate solar energy into farming, enhancing both agricultural productivity and income.

The PM-KUSUM scheme is designed with three key objectives in mind: reducing dependency on grid power for irrigation, providing additional income opportunities for farmers, and promoting renewable energy. By achieving these goals, the scheme seeks to address the dual challenges of rising energy costs and environmental sustainability.

Key Components of PM-KUSUM

1. Component A: The installation of 10,000 megawatts (MW) of decentralized ground-mounted solar power plants. This initiative focuses on harnessing solar energy to generate power at the local level, thereby reducing transmission losses and improving energy access.
2. Component B: The deployment of 2 million standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps. These solar pumps aim to replace diesel-powered irrigation systems, offering a more cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative for farmers.
3. Component C: The solarization of 1.5 million grid-connected solar pumps. This component is intended to enhance the efficiency of existing grid-connected irrigation systems by integrating solar power

Under PM-KUSUM, farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs receive subsidies and financial assistance to install solar panels and pumps, making the transition to solar energy more accessible and affordable. The scheme also provides an opportunity for farmers to earn additional income by selling surplus power generated from their solar installations back to the grid.

By fostering the use of renewable energy, PM-KUSUM not only supports sustainable farming practices but also contributes to India’s broader goal of energy security and environmental conservation. The initiative represents a significant step toward empowering farmers, improving agricultural productivity, and advancing the country’s commitment to a greener future.

Read More at: https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/pm-kusum-pradhan-mantri-kisan-urja-suraksha-evam-utthaan-mahabhiyan-scheme

Summarised by Anushka Hanotiya