Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to showcase India’s PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar schemes to several African and island nations through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) platform.

India’s Global Outreach via International Solar Alliance (ISA):

• Founded: 2015, jointly by India and France, headquartered in Gurugram (Haryana, India).
• Membership (2025): 98 countries, focused on promoting solar energy deployment in developing and tropical nations.
• Mandate: Facilitate affordable solar technology, finance mobilization, and policy support to achieve global energy access and climate goals.
• Strategic Focus Areas (2025):
  • Catalytic Finance Hub: Mobilising global investments in solar infrastructure.
  • Global Capability Centre: Providing technical training, digital tools, and policy frameworks.
  • Technology Roadmap: Driving innovation in floating solar, AI-based grid management, green hydrogen, and One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) connectivity.
  • Country Engagement: Strengthening regional partnerships for implementation and capacity-building.
• Global Showcasing of Indian Models:
  • India plans to export the PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar models to Africa and island nations facing low electrification and irrigation coverage.
  • Only 4% of Africa’s arable land is irrigated, creating a vast opportunity for solar-powered irrigation and energy access.
• Significance: ISA serves as the primary vehicle for India’s renewable diplomacy, promoting clean energy cooperation, technology transfer, and South–South collaboration for sustainable development.

Back2Basics:

[1] PM-KUSUM Scheme:

• Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Objective: To promote solar energy use in agriculture, enabling farmers to generate clean electricity, replace diesel pumps, and earn additional income through sale of surplus solar power.
• Targets:
  • Add 34,800 MW of decentralized solar capacity by March 2026.
  • Total outlay of ₹34,422 crore in Central financial assistance.
• Structure: Three key components –

1. 1. Component A: 10,000 MW of decentralized grid-connected solar/renewable plants on barren land.
   2. Component B: 14 lakh standalone solar pumps for irrigation.
   3. Component C: Solarization of 35 lakh existing grid-connected pumps (including feeder-level solarisation).

• Financial Support: Farmers receive 60% subsidy, 30% institutional loan, and contribute 10% cost.
• Achievements (as of 2025):
  • 70% completion in standalone solar pumps.
  • Limited progress in grid-connected plants (6%) and pump solarization (16–25%).
  • Scheme likely to be extended beyond 2026 due to delayed infrastructure readiness.
• Benefits: Reduces input costs, ensures energy self-reliance, lowers carbon emissions, and generates sustainable farmer income through surplus power sales.

[2] PM Surya Ghar Scheme:

• Full Name: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana launched in 2025 as a flagship rooftop solar initiative for residential households.
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Objective: To promote rooftop solar installations for one crore households, especially middle-class and economically weaker sections, providing affordable or free electricity.
• Budget: ₹75,021 crore for implementation till FY 2026–27.
• Features:
  • Subsidy up to 40% of total installation cost.
  • Annual household savings of up to ₹18,000 through self-generation.
  • Net metering enables sale of surplus power to the grid.
  • Simplified application via national portal; eligibility limited to one household per residence.
• Impact: Reduces power bills, promotes decentralized renewable energy generation, and contributes to India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

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