Pune: The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, designed to reduce household electricity bills to zero through solar energy, might face a major setback due to a new proposal by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

As per the proposal submitted to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), consumers will be required to use solar energy on the same day it is generated. If unused, electricity consumed between 6 PM and 9 AM will be charged at regular rates, even if surplus solar energy is produced during the daytime. This could prevent many households from achieving zero electricity bills, a key objective of the scheme.

The issue was highlighted by Vivek Velankar, a representative of the Sajag Nagrik Manch, who stated that citizens have until February 17 to file objections to MSEDCL’s proposal. He urged consumers to submit their concerns via the MERC online portal at www.merc.gov.in/e-public-consultation, referring to Proposal No. 217/2024.

The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana, an initiative by the central government, aims to install solar power systems on one crore homes across India, allowing households to generate and utilize solar energy while minimizing electricity costs. Under the scheme, any solar energy generated during the day is fed into the MSEDCL grid, and consumers are charged only for their net electricity consumption after deducting their solar energy contribution.

However, if MSEDCL's proposal is approved, consumers might have to pay additional charges for night-time electricity usage, limiting the financial benefits of the scheme. With the deadline approaching, consumer activists are urging the public to submit objections to prevent potential setbacks in the scheme’s implementation.