Tripura govt will provide rooftop solar panels for Rs 1,000 to low-power consumers using below 50 units monthly. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said 1.5 lakh families have been identified under the PM Suryaghar scheme to boost renewable energy generation across the state.
The Tripura government and the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) have launched a major renewable energy initiative aimed at providing affordable rooftop solar systems to low-income electricity consumers across the state. Under the new plan, families consuming less than 50 units of electricity per month will be able to receive solar panel systems by paying only Rs 1,000.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Ratan Lal Nath during the launch of the Rooftop Solar PV System Handbook at Geetanjali Guest House in Agartala.
According to the minister, the government has already identified around 1.5 lakh families eligible for the scheme. The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen Tripura’s renewable energy capacity while reducing electricity expenses for economically weaker households.
Speaking at the event, Nath said the government is offering substantial subsidies for rooftop solar installations under the PM Suryaghar initiative. Consumers installing a 1-kilowatt system will receive a subsidy of Rs 33,000, while those opting for a 2-kilowatt system will receive Rs 66,000. For 3-kilowatt systems, the subsidy amount has been fixed at Rs 85,800.
He stated that Tripura is already generating around 11 megawatts of electricity under the PM Suryaghar programme. So far, nearly 17,000 consumers have registered under the scheme, while around 3,500 families have already installed rooftop solar systems in their homes.
The minister further said that the state government, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and TSECL, has prepared a new target to generate 150 megawatts of electricity through rooftop solar projects. The initiative will focus primarily on families with low electricity consumption.
“We have records of households consuming below 50 units of electricity. Around three lakh families fall under this category, and in the first phase, 1.5 lakh families will be selected,” Nath said during the programme.
Under the proposed plan, eligible families will pay only Rs 1,000 to receive rooftop solar systems valued at nearly Rs 66,000. Officials believe the initiative will not only reduce dependence on conventional electricity but also encourage clean energy adoption at the grassroots level.
The government expects implementation work to begin from next month after the beneficiary identification process is completed. Authorities are currently verifying eligible households and preparing the distribution framework.
The minister also highlighted the role of Germany-based organization GIZ in strengthening the state’s solar energy infrastructure. In collaboration with TSECL, GIZ has been conducting training programmes for engineers, officials, and vendors involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of rooftop solar systems.
He said the training sessions have been successful and have helped create better technical awareness among stakeholders connected to the solar energy sector.
During the programme, two new handbooks related to rooftop solar systems were officially released in English and Bengali languages. The booklets are designed to assist consumers, vendors, engineers, and banking officials in understanding the operational and financial aspects of rooftop solar energy systems.
Nath noted that many consumers who earlier paid electricity bills are now earning money by supplying surplus power generated from rooftop solar systems. He added that the newly launched handbooks would help more consumers understand the long-term financial and environmental benefits of renewable energy adoption in the state.
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The initiative is being viewed as one of Tripura’s largest renewable energy expansion programmes, aimed at promoting sustainable power generation while supporting economically weaker families with affordable electricity solutions.
