If you want to reduce your monthly electricity bill, the government's PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana could be an important scheme to know about. The rooftop-solar programme has now crossed a major milestone, with more than 50 lakh households benefiting from rooftop solar installations across India.

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, more than 50.06 lakh households had installed rooftop solar under the scheme as of August 2026. Nearly 19 lakh households are already reporting zero electricity bills, while around 14.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity has been commissioned under the programme.

What is the PM Surya Ghar scheme?

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is designed to encourage households to install rooftop solar systems and generate their own electricity.

The scheme can help eligible households reduce their dependence on electricity purchased from the grid. Depending on electricity consumption and the size of the solar system installed, households may be able to significantly reduce their monthly electricity bills.

How does the scheme help households?

The biggest attraction is the financial assistance available for eligible rooftop solar installations. After installing an eligible system through the scheme's official process, households can receive central financial assistance subject to the applicable rules and system capacity.

The solar panels generate electricity during the day, which can be used by the household. Depending on the system and electricity consumption, excess generation may also be handled through the applicable net-metering or state electricity regulations.

Nearly 19 lakh homes are getting zero electricity bills

The latest government update highlights the impact of the scheme. Nearly 19 lakh households are now receiving zero electricity bills after adopting rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar.

The programme has also seen rapid growth, with July 2026 recording the highest-ever monthly rooftop solar installations under the scheme. The government says the programme is adding around one lakh beneficiary households every six days.

Who should consider installing rooftop solar?

The scheme can be particularly useful for households that:

• Have their own house with a suitable rooftop.

• Have regular electricity consumption.

• Want to reduce long-term electricity expenses.

• Have sufficient sunlight available on the rooftop.

• Are willing to install an eligible rooftop solar system through the approved process.

However, eligibility, subsidy amount, system size, and other requirements should be checked according to the latest official guidelines and the rules applicable in your state.

How to apply for PM Surya Ghar?

People interested in the scheme should use the official PM Surya Ghar portal rather than relying on agents or unknown websites.

The general process involves registering on the official portal, providing electricity-connection details, selecting an eligible vendor, installing the rooftop solar system, and completing the required inspection and documentation process. The applicable financial assistance is then processed according to the scheme's rules.

Before making any payment, make sure the vendor and installation details are verified through the official portal.

Check your electricity bill before installing solar

Installing solar panels is a long-term investment, so households should first look at their average monthly electricity consumption and available rooftop space.

A properly sized system can help maximise savings, while installing a system that is unnecessarily large may increase the initial cost without providing equivalent benefits.

It is also important to check your state's electricity regulations, net-metering provisions, installation costs, and maintenance requirements before making a final decision.

A major push towards cheaper household electricity

With more than 50 lakh households now benefiting from rooftop solar, PM Surya Ghar has become one of India's major household renewable-energy programmes. The latest figures show that rooftop solar is increasingly being adopted not only as a clean-energy option but also as a way for households to reduce their electricity expenses.

If you are planning to install solar panels at home, checking your eligibility and the latest subsidy rules on the official government portal before purchasing a system can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and fraudulent offers.