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PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Progress in Karnataka

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at promoting rooftop solar adoption in Karnataka, has seen disappointing progress despite high registration numbers. Only 6,519 out of 615,386 registered households have successfully installed solar systems, translating to a mere 1.1% conversion rate. A primary obstacle is the existing Gruha Jyothi free electricity program, which offers up to 200 units of free electricity monthly, reducing the appeal of investing in solar panels. Procedural delays in selecting vendors and conducting inspections have further hindered progress, highlighting the contrast with other states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have significantly higher installation figures.

Additionally, there is a widespread lack of awareness about the PM Surya Ghar initiative and its benefits, further weakening the conversion rate from registration to installation. Rajhu T, a senior manager at BESCOM, pointed out that financial disincentives, alongside the slow vendor approval process, contribute to low adoption rates. While subsidies have been allocated, disbursement has been sluggish, deterring households from investing in rooftop solar solutions. As of early 2025, nationwide progress shows 846,000 households have installed systems, but Karnataka's lag remains a challenge to overcome.