SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 39,415 rooftop solar installations with a combined capacity of 141.16 MW under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana since its launch in February 2024, according to data tabled by the Union Government in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said 86,287 applications had been received from Jammu and Kashmir under the demand-driven scheme as of July 31, 2026, with 39,568 families benefiting from the installations. Central financial assistance of Rs 299.30 crore had been released for the Union Territory.
At the national level, the scheme had received 76,81,382 applications and resulted in 41,19,791 rooftop solar installations with a combined capacity of 14,653.23 MW. A total of 49,62,050 families had benefited, while Rs 27,855.99 crore had been released as Central financial assistance.
Jammu and Kashmir accounted for about 1.1 per cent of applications, installations and released Central assistance under the scheme, while its share of the total installed capacity stood at around 1 per cent.
Among States and Union Territories, JK stood 15th in the number of rooftop solar installations, according to the state-wise data. Gujarat led the country with 7,73,369 installations, followed by Maharashtra with 7,02,461 and Uttar Pradesh with 7,15,951 installations.
The government said more than 18.93 lakh beneficiaries across the country, including rural households, had received zero electricity bills in at least one month or billing period after installing rooftop solar systems, depending on their electricity consumption, as reported by distribution companies.
The scheme, launched in February 2024, is open to residential consumers with a grid-connected electricity connection from their local distribution company. Applications can be submitted through the national portal for installation of rooftop solar systems.
The Ministry said the government was working with States and distribution companies to increase awareness and simplify implementation. Measures include publicity campaigns through newspapers, television, radio and regional channels, along with changes aimed at simplifying regulatory approvals.
Technical feasibility requirements have been waived and automatic load enhancement has been introduced for systems up to 10 kW. The net-metering agreement has also been incorporated into the national portal application, removing the need for a separate agreement.
The government said the process, from registration on the national portal to direct transfer of subsidy into the residential consumer’s bank account, had been made online. Vendor registration had also been simplified, while training and capacity-building programmes were being conducted to create skilled manpower.
A grievance redressal mechanism has been established for time-bound resolution of complaints, with a call centre operating on 15555 in 12 languages.
The Ministry said implementation was being monitored regularly at different levels in coordination with States and distribution companies, with periodic regional review meetings also being held. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and REC Limited are working as the National Programme Implementation Agencies for the scheme.
According to the government, these review meetings also assess reasons for lower coverage in particular States and districts and advise States and distribution companies on corrective measures based on practices followed by better-performing States and districts.
The government said rooftop solar had substantially reduced electricity bills for consumers who installed the systems, while distribution companies had reported that more than 18.93 lakh beneficiaries nationwide had received zero bills in at least one billing period.
The figures were provided by Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power Shripad Yesso Naik in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2764 asked by S. Jothimani.
