Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to accelerate the rollout of rooftop solar power ‌is falling short of targets despite heavy subsidies due to loan delays and limited support from ​state utilities, according to vendors and analysts. Also read: NLCIL signs MoU with NALCO for thermal and renewable energy collaborationThe Ministry for New and Renewable Energy created its subsidy programme for residential solar panel installations in February 2024, covering up to 40% of the costs. Roughly three in five rooftop solar applications filed on the scheme’s website are yet to be approved, while about 7% have been rejected, ​according to government data on the programme, known as ‌the PM Surya Ghar. Chamrulal Mishra, a solar vendor in Odisha, said applications are often rejected because the customer has missed electricity payments or because land records are still in the name of deceased relatives. State-owned utilities are also not promoting rooftop solar as much, as they are concerned about the loss of revenue as sales move off the electric grid.

Source: The Hindu February 16, 2026 14:23 UTC