India’s PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has expanded residential rooftop solar nationally. Yet progress remains uneven; consumer interest does not always translate into commissioned systems
This report investigates this challenge across Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Based on field research and interviews with DISCOMs, vendors, bank officials and consumers, it maps barriers from application to adoption. Odisha illustrates the value of dedicated utility teams, vendor engagement and consumer facilitation. Chhattisgarh shows how district-level oversight and faster commissioning can improve delivery. Jharkhand reveals how delayed bi-directional meter installation, billing-system gaps and weak coordination can stall deployment despite favourable rooftop solar economics
The report also examines vendor quality, access to finance, consumer awareness and underserved households, including apartment residents, informal-sector workers and remote communities. It proposes practical measures—measurable service standards, transparent tracking, reliable grievance redress, consistent bank procedures, stronger after-sales support and expanded utility-led aggregation and shared- metering models. The findings point to a clear priority for India’s rooftop solar transition: strengthen implementation so policy promises become dependable benefits for households.
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