Only 641 MW of 10,000 MW PM-KUSUM solar target achieved

The Estimates Committee examined the implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme (solar energy for agriculture) and PM Surya Ghar (rooftop solar for households) to identify bottlenecks in adoption and financial support. This matters to citizens as it affects access to affordable electricity, agricultural productivity, and the financial burden on farmers and households.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (implied by scheme names), State Governments, Farmers, Household Consumers, and Solar Vendors.

• Committee noted that only 641 MW of the 10,000 MW target for decentralised solar plants under PM-KUSUM was installed as of July 2025 due to lack of central financial assistance and land conversion costs; it recommended providing central financial assistance for small-sized projects.
• Committee observed that 60,828 grid-connected pumps were sanctioned against a target of 1.5 lakh, with most confined to nine states/UTs; it recommended exploring ways to enhance funding since farmers bear about 70% of the cost in states without additional state assistance.
• Committee noted that the scheme does not provide support for the high cost of evacuating power from solar plants to the grid; it recommended that the responsibility for evacuating power be given to discoms.
• Committee recommended revising criteria for standalone solar pumps to allow higher capacities (above 7.5 horsepower) in states like Rajasthan with lower groundwater levels.
• Committee recommended undertaking an analysis of the impact of agrivoltaics on crops and income, and considering subsidies for its large-scale adoption.
• Committee noted high inter-state disparity in PM Surya Ghar implementation and a high loan rejection rate due to lack of clarity on house ownership; it recommended addressing approval delays, increasing consumer awareness, and ensuring easy loan availability.
• Committee noted a lack of suitable vendors in some states due to a Rs 2.5 lakh performance bank guarantee requirement; it recommended reducing this amount to incentivize more vendors.
• Committee observed shortages of rooftop solar components in far-flung areas; it recommended diversifying supply sources and increasing investment in local manufacturing.
• Committee recommended providing rooftop solar subsidies for single dwelling units in agricultural fields and providing 500-watt rooftop solar systems to PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) allottees who cannot afford upfront costs.

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