India’s rooftop solar installations are on track to reach 10 lakh by the end of the current fiscal year, thanks to the government’s enhanced efforts to accelerate the rollout under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY). A senior official revealed on Wednesday that the program’s robust IT infrastructure, reduced regulatory hurdles, and improved subsidy disbursement systems have all contributed to this rapid growth.
Since the launch of the PMSGMBY, approximately 1.45 crore registrations have been made, with 6.34 lakh installations already completed. The scheme, which targets 1 crore installations in the residential sector by FY’27, is part of India’s ambitious renewable energy goals and a key component of its push for sustainable power solutions. Among states, Gujarat has emerged as the leader in solar installations under the scheme, with over 2.8 lakh rooftops adopting solar power, followed by Maharashtra with 1.26 lakh installations and Uttar Pradesh at 53,423. The government has coordinated efforts with stakeholders, including DISCOMs, vendors, and the REC, to resolve challenges and ensure smooth implementation. The official emphasized that the success of the PMSGMBY reflects the foundational work undertaken to ensure long-term sustainability for one of the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar programs. One of the most significant changes has been the increase in the installation rate. Prior to PMSGMBY, India had only 8.1 lakh rooftop solar installations in a decade, averaging 7,000 per month. However, within just nine months of the scheme’s launch, the rate soared to 70,000 per month, with 6.3 lakh installations completed.
Increased collaboration between DISCOMs, simplification of approval processes, and waived technical feasibility reports for smaller systems (under 10kW) have all contributed to this leap. The government has also improved its subsidy process, ensuring that payments are processed within 15 days and enhancing consumer satisfaction. The scheme has also made substantial progress in vendor development, with nearly 9,000 vendors involved and more joining daily. Additionally, over 40,000 personnel have been trained to ensure high-quality installations, with plans to train an additional 2 lakh technicians by the end of the year. By March 2025, installations are expected to surpass 10 lakh, and by October 2025, the number could double to 20 lakh, with a target of 1 crore installations by 2027. With these advances, the government is poised to not only meet but exceed its solar installation targets, driving India toward a greener, more sustainable energy future.
