How PM Suryaghar is empowering India’s renewable energy revolution

As we celebrate Akshay Urja Day on August 20th, it's a great time to take pride in how far India has come in using renewable energy. It is also time to look at how advanced technologies are going to shape our future brighter. This day, marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, highlights the importance of renewable energy in our journey towards a cleaner, greener planet.

Solar Power in Indian Homes
India's use of solar energy has grown rapidly. Our installed solar capacity reached 84.24 GW in May 2024, making India the third-largest producer of solar power globally. This shows our strong commitment towards using cleaner energy sources. The government's goal of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 underscores the importance of solar power for our future. This will reduce our dependence on coal, cut imports, and make cleaner energy accessible to many people in India. However, the contribution of rooftop solar has been low at just ~17%. With the push from the SuryaGhar program, this contribution is expected to rise considerably in the next 2-3 years.

SuryaGhar: Bringing Solar Power to One Crore Homes
One of the most exciting projects in India's solar journey is the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Launched in February 2024, this plan aims to bring solar power to one crore homes by offering rooftop solar installations with significant subsidies. Households can get up to Rs. 78,000 as a SuryaGhar subsidy for a 3 kW system. Group housing societies can avail Rs. 18,000/kW as a subsidy for up to 500 kW. This means more people can afford solar power, and they can get free electricity with a much lower initial investment.


SuryaGhar program will change how we use solar power at home. By making it easier for millions of households to use solar energy, it will lower electricity bills and promote a sustainable future. This is expected to add 30 GW of solar power through rooftop installations, generating a lot of clean energy and cutting down on carbon emissions.

Advanced Microinverter Technology: The Future of Home Solar Power
Solar panels are supported by inverters, also called the brain of the solar system. Inverters have seen advancements over the years, and with the introduction of microinverters, solar PV systems are now safer, smarter, and more reliable. In fact, this advanced microinverter technology is changing how we use solar power. Unlike traditional inverters that manage multiple panels together, microinverters work at the individual panel level. This means each panel can perform at its best, even if some panels are shaded or dirty.

Benefits of Microinverters:
1. Better Efficiency: By converting DC electricity to AC at the panel level, microinverters ensure each panel works at its best. This distributed architecture also lowers the risk of system-wide shutdowns.
2. Increased Safety: Microinverters are inherently safer because they operate at the same low-voltage AC power as any typical home appliance.
3. Smart Monitoring: With real-time data, microinverters provide detailed insights into each panel's performance, making maintenance and optimisation easier.
As we look to the future, microinverter technology will play a key role in making solar power more reliable, safe, and smart. This innovation fits perfectly with the spirit of Akshay Urja Day, as we aim to use the sun's power to create a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone.

With the continued use of solar power and new technologies, India is on its way to becoming a global leader in renewable energy. Together, we can ensure a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Manoj Gopalan Nair is the Sr. Director, Sales at Enphase Energy