With just 5-6 per cent target achieved, Nagaland pushes rooftop solar adoption

Morung Express News Dimapur | October 14With only around 5–6% of its target of 10,000 households covered under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Nagaland launched the Seva Setu Abhiyan across the state on Wednesday to promote rooftop solar installations and facilitate access to subsidies and other benefits.Executive Engineer (EE), Electrical Division, Dimapur, Lhuvoyi, said around 5–6%  or 500-600 households in Nagaland had been covered so far, compared to nearly 40% achievement against the national target of one crore households. He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day camp in Dimapur on October 14.Being conducted from October 14 to 16 at designated locations across the state, the campaign aims to connect citizens with government welfare schemes through awareness, on-the-spot registration and assistance with applications, documentation, financing and installation.Launched in February 2024, the rooftop solar scheme provides financial assistance to eligible residential households to reduce electricity bills and promote clean energy. In Kohima, Chief Engineer, D&R, Er Lobosang Jamir said eligible consumers could receive subsidies of up to Rs 85,800 from the Centre and Rs 50,000 from the state government, totalling Rs 1,35,800. He urged consumers to avail themselves of the scheme, which is available until March 2027, and visit the roadshow for registration and guidance.Dimapur: Deputy Commissioner Dr Tinojongshi Chang inaugurated the camp at the DC’s Office Complex, Purana Bazar, urging residents to avail themselves of the scheme. He said vendors and bank representatives were available for on-the-spot registration and highlighted the option of feeding surplus electricity into the grid.Kohima: At Secretariat Junction, Principal Secretary, Power, Dr KD Vizo encouraged citizens to adopt rooftop solar, citing subsidies, banking facilities and potential savings. He said solar energy could reduce the government’s power purchase expenditure while allowing consumers to benefit from excess generation.The camp also provides installation guidance and access to 26 empanelled vendors across Nagaland.Wokha: DC K Mhathung Tsanglao inaugurated the campaign at the DC’s Conference Hall. EE Chenosing Kemp highlighted subsidies, bank loans and the possibility of earning returns by supplying surplus electricity to the grid. He also explained the scheme through a presentation.Longleng: At an awareness programme at the DPDB Hall, EE CTN Temjensangba explained rooftop solar generation and government subsidies, while empanelled vendor Shilunaro Jamir outlined the application, approval and installation processes. SBI representative C Mhaden Yanthan explained the subsidy claim process and briefed participants on available loans.Mokokchung: SDO (Civil) Ajay Moktan inaugurated the campaign at the DC’s Office Complex. Beneficiary Asung Jamir said his monthly electricity bill had fallen from Rs 1,700 to Rs 230 after installing rooftop solar in July.EE Chutsusie Thowachu said vendors would assist with registration during the October 14–16 camp. He clarified that installations under the scheme were currently available for domestic use and not commercial purposes.SEVA SETU ABHIYAN IN NAGALANDWhat: Awareness and facilitation camp under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to promote residential rooftop solar installations.Where: Across Nagaland When: October 14–16Who can apply: Eligible residential householdsBenefits: Total subsidy upto Rs 1,35,800 (Rs 85,000 from GoI) and Rs 50000 from State GovernmentSubsidy deadline: March 31, 2027    Nagaland’s progress: Approximately around 5-6%  or 500 households covered against a target of 10,000.