Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij on Thursday announced the state government was working on a new scheme under which domestic consumers with a connected load of 1 kW will also be provided solar power systems.
He said the key feature of the proposed scheme is that beneficiaries will not be required to approach banks for loans or guarantees. Instead, departmental officials will visit consumers’ homes, complete the necessary formalities, and facilitate installation of rooftop solar systems. As a result, electricity bills for such consumers are expected to fall to nearly zero, he said. Vij added that more than 700,000 consumers in Haryana have electricity connections with loads of up to 1 kW and could benefit from the initiative.
Responding to media queries, Vij further said a similar arrangement is being considered for consumers with loads of up to 5 kW who regularly pay their electricity bills. Under this plan, apart from government subsidy, the remaining cost would be recovered from consumers through easy instalments, with no requirement for bank loans.
He also said he had recently submitted a proposal to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggesting that farmers whose land remains unused and whose family members live outside the village be allowed to set up solar plants on their land at their own expense. The government would purchase the electricity generated at predetermined rates, providing farmers with an additional source of income while promoting clean energy.
Vij further informed that Haryana is set to receive three national awards for the successful implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He said awards are based on performance, not recommendations, and governments always recognise those who deliver results.
He added that the Central Government has identified Haryana as a leading state in solar energy adoption. The state government, he said, would intensify efforts to make Haryana self-reliant in solar energy.
Vij also said Haryana has received the highest number of applications under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The state government has set a target of installing 220,000 rooftop solar systems in the current financial year and is working to achieve this ahead of schedule.
