Chhattisgarhs Solar Initiative Transforms Rural Lives with Zero Electricity Bills

Raipur, June 8: The ambitious PM Surya Home Scheme by the central government is bringing positive changes to the lives of people in rural areas. Hemant Dhruv, a resident of Kumharamara village in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, is one of the beneficiaries of this initiative. He shares that after installing a solar system on his rooftop, he no longer worries about monthly electricity bills.

Previously, he had to pay between ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 each month, but now his electricity bill is zero.

Hemant Dhruv explained that he installed a 3-kilowatt rooftop solar system under the PM Surya Home Scheme. This system was set up in January and has been operational for nearly six months. During this time, he has not had to pay any amount for electricity bills. This has significantly reduced his family’s monthly expenses and increased their savings.

He noted that paying the electricity bill used to be a major hassle. Balancing household needs, farming, and other expenses made it an additional burden. However, with the use of solar energy, this problem has been completely resolved. According to him, the greatest benefit of the scheme is the availability of sufficient electricity for household needs, along with the potential for excess electricity production.

The beneficiary mentioned that any unused electricity generated by the solar system is sent back to the grid. In return, he receives payments from the electricity department as per the established procedures. This not only eliminates his electricity bill but also opens up the possibility of additional income in the future. Thus, this scheme proves to be a dual benefit for the common people.

Hemant Dhruv also praised the subsidies provided by the government. He stated that under the PM Surya Home Scheme, the government offers subsidies of up to ₹1.08 lakh, significantly lowering the cost of installing solar systems. He believes that more people should take advantage of this scheme, as it reduces electricity expenses and contributes to environmental conservation.