MNRE,SSEF and Karnataka Government Join Hands to Drive Rooftop Solar Growth Under New City Accelerator Program http://pmsgy.in

Under The City Accelerator Program (CAP), Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Hubli-Dharwad have been selected from the state of Karnataka.

Bengaluru Express
BANGALORE, Oct 31 — In an effort to promote widespread adoption of rooftop solar (RTS) systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), the Government of Karnataka, and the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), Additional Chief Secretary (Energy Department), Govt of Karnataka, Gaurav Gupta launched the City Accelerator Program (CAP) today.

Under this programme, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Hubli-Dharwad have been selected from the state of Karnataka. The City Accelerator Program (CAP) aims to align state-level stakeholders with the national rooftop solar mission and develop a strategic roadmap to accelerate progress toward achieving the PMSG: MBY targets in the state.

The City Accelerator Program (CAP) is designed to provide targeted technical assistance to Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), with a focus on capacity building, institutional development, and the creation of supportive policies and regulatory frameworks. The initiative will be implemented in a phased manner across 100 cities nationwide.

“The PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, also known as the Prime Minister’s Solar Home Scheme, is a transformative government initiative. We aim to promote the scheme under the able leadership of our Energy Minister KJ George to promote the use of solar energy in households across state, thereby reducing our dependence on conventional energy sources and contributing to our national renewable energy targets,” *Additional Chief Secretary (Energy Department), Govt of Karnataka, Gaurav Gupta*, said during the launch, highlighting the benefits of the scheme and empowering the audience with this knowledge.

“By actively encouraging participation in the scheme, Karnataka can help consumers harness solar power to meet their energy needs, reduce dependency on traditional energy sources, and contribute to environmental conservation. This initiative benefits consumers and aligns with broader goals of energy security and sustainable development,” BESCOM MD Dr. N. Shivashankara said during the launch.

In its first phase, the City Accelerator Program (CAP) will be launched across 30 cities in 10 states, creating scalable models for accelerating rooftop solar adoption. The initiative aims to remove city-level barriers, promote innovative business models, and boost awareness through training and outreach. By fostering collaboration among city administrations, DISCOMs, and state nodal agencies, CAP will play a key role in helping India meet its rooftop solar goals under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY).
The event was attended by BESCOM MD Dr. N. Shivashankara, KREDL MD K.P Rudrappiah, MESCOM MD R.Jayakumar and other department official.

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*FOR CONTEXT ONLY*
*Context On PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana*
The government of India has launched a groundbreaking scheme for the rooftop solar segment – PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. With a total outlay of Rs 750 billion until 2025-26, the scheme aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units monthly to 10 million households across the country.
http://pmsgy.in
*Advantages of the grid-connected Rooftop solar system*
·      No need for extra space.
·      Government subsidy up to Rs 78,000./
·      Immediate relief from the electricity bill.
·      Freedom from the electricity bill for 25 years.
·      Minimum maintenance cost.
*Subsidy for Domestic grid-connected Rooftop Plant – Grants payable by the Central Government*
No Plant Capacity Applicable Subsidy
1 1Kw – upto 2kw Capacity INR 30,000-60,000/
2 Up to 2 Kw – 3 Kw Capacity INR 60,000- 78,000/
3 More than 3kW INR 78,000/- Maximum fixed