Gathula-based hotel owners adopt rooftop solar, reduce electricity bill to nearly zero and look forward to earning through net metering
Published on: July 01, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is emerging as a key initiative to promote energy self-reliance among households while encouraging wider public participation in the adoption of clean and green energy. In Rajnandgaon district, the Sahu family of Gathula village has become a notable beneficiary of the scheme, reducing its electricity bill to nearly zero after installing rooftop solar systems.
Ankalu Ram Sahu, who operates Tikam Hotel in Gathula village under Rajnandgaon development block, along with his elder son Kundan Sahu, decided to install two rooftop solar power plants of 3 kW capacity each after learning about the benefits of the scheme. As their hotel business involved high electricity consumption, the family had been paying monthly power bills ranging between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000. Rising electricity costs prompted them to switch to solar energy.
According to Hemlal Sahu, the younger son of Ankalu Ram Sahu, the family applied for the scheme through the official online portal and had the solar systems installed through a registered vendor. Each rooftop solar plant cost approximately ₹2 lakh.
Within a month of installation, the family received subsidies of ₹1.08 lakh for each plant from the Central and State governments, amounting to a total of ₹2.16 lakh. The subsidy was credited directly to their bank accounts, significantly reducing the overall installation cost.
Following the commissioning of the solar plants, the family’s household electricity bill has come down to nearly zero. Under the net metering system, surplus electricity generated by the rooftop installations is being supplied to the power grid, creating the possibility of additional income in the future. The family has now transitioned from being solely electricity consumers to becoming producers of clean energy.
Hemlal Sahu said the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is highly beneficial for ordinary citizens as it helps reduce electricity expenses, contributes to environmental conservation, and provides an opportunity to become energy self-reliant. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for the initiative.
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Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, attractive subsidies are available from both the Central and State governments for the installation of rooftop solar power systems. In addition, concessional loans are being made available through nationalised banks, enabling more households to adopt solar energy with greater ease.
The Sahu family has appealed to residents across the district to take advantage of the scheme and adopt clean energy solutions.
