Increasing the production and consumption of clean energy in the country is one of the main priorities of the Central Government. Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is a big initiative in this process. Under this scheme, the government will help people to install solar energy panels on their houses. Currently, the effort to install panels in one crore houses will start. Although the guidelines of this scheme announced for poor and middle class families have not been released, but according to reports, those families whose annual income is less than Rs 2 lakh will benefit. Special efforts will be made to bring remote areas under the ambit of this scheme. Announcing this scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that this will not only reduce the electricity expenditure of the poor and middle class, but will also make India self-reliant in the field of energy. This is Prime Minister Modi’s first decision after returning from the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Electricity is expensive in many states of the country. In such a situation, the residents there will get special relief from this scheme.
It is noteworthy that for the expansion of solar energy, schemes are being run by the Central and State Governments to provide grants and purchase additional power. Such incentives have increased the pace of solar panel installation, but it is still a sound investment for low-income families. With the help of the scheme, they will be able to generate electricity in their home. Unless a large number of people install solar panels, progress in clean energy production will not be expected. About 13.5 GW of clean energy capacity was added in 2023. India ranks fourth in the world in terms of existing clean energy capacity, while we are fourth in wind energy and fifth in solar energy. There is great potential for the development of solar energy due to geographical expansion and availability of adequate amount of sunlight for a large part of the year. We are dependent on imports to supply more than 80 percent of our energy needs. Along with the expansion of Suryoday Yojana, those families who would not come under its purview will also get inspiration.