Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a new rooftop solar program called the Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana to equip 10 million homes with self-generation clean energy systems. 

Literally translated as Prime Minister Sunrise Scheme, it will see low- and middle-income households being equipped with rooftop solar installations. These will be able to generate additional income with excess energy generation, announced the Prime Minister’s office.  

Modi has also directed his administration to launch a massive national campaign to mobilize residential segment consumers to adopt rooftop solar in large numbers.  

The Prime Minister announced the program on his official social media account soon after the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya that’s set to become the 1st solar city of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The state alone has a target to cover 1 million residential households with rooftop solar in 5 years (see UP 2022 Draft Solar Policy Eyes Nearly 8X Growth). 

“Today, on the auspicious occasion of the consecration of life in Ayodhya, my resolve has been further strengthened that the people of India should have their own solar roof top system on the roof of their houses,” said Modi. “This will not only reduce the electricity bill of the poor and middle class, but will also make India self-reliant in the field of energy.” 

Under its National Solar Mission, India had been targeting a goal of 100 GW solar energy capacity by December 31, 2022, split between 60 GW utility and 40 GW rooftop solar segments. However, at the end of December 2023, the country’s total ground-mounted solar PV capacity stood at 56.92 GW, while grid-connected rooftop PV capacity was 11.08 GW, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). 

Deadline to achieve the 40 GW rooftop solar capacity has now been extended to March 31, 2026. REC Limited is the implementing agency for this scheme now (see India Solar PV News Snippets).  

Nonetheless, India’s rooftop solar potential far exceeds the 40 GW target, according to the Council of Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and Bloomberg Philanthropies. They peg the technical potential at 637 GW, but also count challenges such as high capital investment and lack of awareness (see CEEW Pegs India’s Rooftop PV Potential At 637 GW).