Vasai–Virar: The Central Government’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is significantly boosting the use of solar energy in the Vasai–Virar region, with residents increasingly installing rooftop solar panels to meet rising electricity demand.
As the population grows and new residential projects continue to develop, households and housing societies are turning to solar power solutions to reduce electricity costs and promote clean energy.
1,587 Consumers Install Rooftop Solar Panels
According to data shared by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) – Mahavitaran, a total of 1,587 consumers in the Vasai region have installed rooftop solar panels, generating around 7.35 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
Over the past few years, Vasai–Virar city has witnessed rapid urban expansion, leading to an increase in electricity consumption due to new housing projects, commercial establishments, and population growth.
Electricity Consumers Increasing Every Year
Mahavitaran officials revealed that the number of electricity consumers in the region is growing by around 9–10% annually.
Currently, the Vasai–Virar region has more than 1.05 million electricity consumers, making it increasingly challenging for the power distribution system to keep up with the rising demand.
PM Surya Ghar Scheme Launched in February 2024
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was launched by the Central Government in February 2024 with the aim of promoting household-level solar energy generation and making citizens more energy self-reliant.
The scheme encourages homeowners to install rooftop solar systems by providing financial incentives.
Government Subsidy for Rooftop Solar Projects
Under the scheme, the government provides direct subsidies for rooftop solar installations:
- ₹30,000 subsidy for a 1 kW solar project
- ₹60,000 subsidy for a 2 kW solar project
- Up to ₹78,000 subsidy for a 3 kW solar project
The remaining installation cost is borne by the consumer.
Consumers Can Earn by Selling Extra Electricity
A 1 kW solar rooftop system can generate approximately 120 units of electricity per month.
If a household produces more electricity than it consumes, the electricity bill can drop to zero, and the excess power can be sold back to Mahavitaran through net metering, allowing consumers to earn additional income.
Awareness Campaign to Promote Solar Energy
Mahavitaran is actively conducting awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to install rooftop solar systems in their homes and residential buildings.
Officials say increasing solar adoption will not only help meet rising electricity demand but also contribute to environmental conservation and clean energy goals.
Mahavitaran Superintending Engineer Sanjay Khandare stated that the department has been running continuous awareness drives regarding solar energy projects.
He said the response from consumers in the Vasai region has been encouraging, with more than 1,500 households already generating electricity through solar panels. The number is expected to increase further in the coming years.
Mahavitaran has also appealed to citizens to take advantage of the PM Surya Ghar scheme by installing rooftop solar systems to save electricity costs while supporting India’s transition to sustainable energy.
