Hemlata’s Home Shines Bright with Solar Power – Freedom from Electricity Bills

Steps Towards Energy Self-Reliance and Green Energy through the PM Suryaghar – Free Electricity Scheme

Raipur, Aug 2025The Prime Minister Suryaghar – Free Electricity Scheme, being implemented by the Central and State governments for energy conservation and self-reliance, has proven to be a boon for the residents of Dhamtari district. This scheme has not only freed people from the burden of high electricity bills but has also made a significant contribution to environmental protection. Many women in the district, like Hemlata, are moving towards energy self-reliance by availing themselves of the benefits of this scheme. The PM Suryaghar – Free Electricity Scheme is proving that with proper implementation and public participation, change is indeed possible. Mrs. Hemlata Sahu, a resident of Danitola Ward, is a living example of this.

Using the scheme’s benefits, Mrs. Sahu installed a 3-kilowatt rooftop solar panel system on her home. The system cost around ₹2 lakh, for which she received a subsidy of ₹78,000 from the Central Government and ₹30,000 from the State Government, significantly reducing her initial investment.

Before installing solar panels, Hemlata’s monthly electricity bill ranged from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000. Now, her bill has dropped to zero. Not only that, the excess electricity generated by her system is fed into the grid through net metering, giving her the possibility of earning extra income.

She further shared that under this scheme, bank loans are easily available at an interest rate of 7%, making it possible for ordinary consumers to set up solar systems without financial burden. Consumers can install rooftop solar systems and supply surplus electricity to the grid. Depending on the system’s capacity, subsidies ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹78,000 are provided. Registration can be done online via the official portal or mobile app, and vendors are selected from the registered list. After installation and verification, the subsidy is directly credited to the consumer’s bank account.

This initiative is not only making households energy self-reliant but is also playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting green energy. Solar power generation reduces dependence on fossil fuels, thereby lowering environmental pollution.

Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Mrs. Hemlata said that solar power has not only removed the burden of electricity expenses from her household but has also allowed her to contribute to building a cleaner and greener future.