The Centre’s subsidy scheme, which offers up to ₹78,000 for rooftop solar installation, aims to cover 10 million households by March 2027.
Installations and subsidies climb sharply
Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar installations in West Bengal have risen almost seven times since May 2026, around the time the state government changed. The latest data also shows that the subsidy released for the state is now over eight times its level on April 30.
Although the scheme began in February 2024, West Bengal had recorded only 1,477 installations by April 30, 2026, with a total of ₹4.21 crore released in subsidies.
Officials from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said the previous state government had strongly resisted large-scale rollout of the Centre’s scheme, but the situation has shifted quickly since the new government took office.
In just over five months, total installations in the state have reached 10,146 as of October 15, 2026, and the cumulative subsidy released stands at ₹34.62 crore.
State government prioritises scheme facilitation
The new BJP-led government, which replaced the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration, assumed office on May 9, 2026. Officials said it has made facilitating the scheme a key priority for both the state and the Centre.
The national target is to reach 10 million households by March 2027, and about 6.3 million have been covered so far.
“Despite its size and population, West Bengal has been among the weakest performers in this scheme. The state government was putting up a lot of resistance, but that has changed over the last few months and the numbers are rising fast,” a senior Ministry official said, adding that there is still ample room for further growth in the coming months.
Monthly installations in the state have grown steadily: 218 in May 2026, 526 in June, 1,226 in July, 1,936 in August and 2,742 in September. More than 2,000 have already been completed in October so far, and the upward trend is continuing.
Across the country, roughly ₹34,052.54 crore in subsidies has been released so far. Gujarat leads with ₹6,374.71 crore, followed by Maharashtra (₹5,932.37 crore), Uttar Pradesh (₹5,841.59 crore), Kerala (₹2,401.49 crore) and Rajasthan (₹2,283.26 crore).
“This shows West Bengal still has a long way to go, but it can contribute significantly,” the official added.
