Why in news
- A report highlighted that PM-KUSUM and Rooftop Solar schemes accounted for 40% of India's total solar capacity additions in FY27 till July.
What are PM-KUSUM and Rooftop Solar Schemes?
- PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) promotes off-grid and grid-connected solar pumps and small solar power plants for farmers.
- PM Surya Ghar / Rooftop Solar schemes provide capital subsidies to residential and commercial sectors to install rooftop photovoltaic panels.
Current Trends and Implementation Factors
- Shift in composition: Decentralised solar installations are compensating for slowing grid-scale additions.
- Bottleneck in utility-scale solar: Large-scale solar projects face land acquisition hurdles and transmission corridor delays.
- Policy push: Simplified discom portal procedures and direct financial incentives have accelerated retail rooftop adoption.
Why it Matters
- Diversifies renewable energy generation away from centralized solar parks.
- Reduces discom subsidy burdens by solarising agricultural feeders.
Key terms
Feeder Level Solarisation
Installing solar plants to supply electricity directly to rural distribution agricultural feeders.
Utility-Scale Solar
Large ground-mounted solar power facilities generating electricity fed directly into the central transmission grid.
Prelims facts
- PM-KUSUM consists of three components: solarising grid-connected pumps, off-grid pumps, and mini-power plants.
Mains discussion
- Analyze how decentralised solar energy addresses grid infrastructure bottlenecks in reaching national renewable capacity targets.
Source: Economic Times
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2024 · Q27 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources" -
2025 · Q70 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' : I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector. II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels. III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building. Which of the statements given above are correct? -
2024 · Q66 · General Studies · 2 marks
As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of : 1. Addition 3. Variation 3. Repeal Select the correct answer using the code given below : -
2022 · Q6 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce firms, operating in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. They can sell their own goods in addition to offering their platforms as marketplaces. 2. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is limited. Select the correct answer using the code given below: -
2020 · Q60 · General Studies · 2 marks
In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the funds and other benefits? 1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one's computer 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so 3. Cost of hiring a specialized