MNRE to Launch Utility-Led Solar Program for Households Without Rooftops

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced plans to launch a Utility-Led Solar Program to extend the benefits of solar energy to households that do not have suitable rooftop space. This initiative will be implemented under the government’s flagship scheme, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Currently, the scheme has enabled lakhs of households to install rooftop solar panels and significantly reduce their electricity bills. However, many families—especially those living in rented houses, apartments, or homes with shaded/unsafe rooftops—have been left out of the solar revolution.

The upcoming utility-led model aims to bridge this gap. Under this program:

1. Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) or state-designated agencies will install solar systems on behalf of households.
2. Households without rooftops will still enjoy subsidized solar electricity, either through shared rooftop installations, community models, or utility-managed aggregation projects.
3. The government has created a Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) to de-risk investments and encourage wider participation from utilities and developers.

This model is expected to greatly accelerate the adoption of solar power across India. Experts believe it could benefit millions of households, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where individual rooftops are not available.

Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, recently emphasized that the scheme will ensure that “no household is left behind in India’s solar journey, even if they lack rooftop space.”

With India targeting 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, the utility-led solar program is a significant step towards inclusive, equitable, and sustainable energy growth.
At SolSetu, we welcome this move and encourage vendors, utilities, and households to stay updated as more details are rolled out.

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