Tikam Hotel owners install rooftop solar units, achieve zero electricity bills and promote green energy adoption in rural Rajnandgaon
Published on: February 25, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is proving to be a transformative initiative in promoting energy self-reliance among citizens and small business owners. Beneficiaries are not only reducing their electricity expenses but also becoming energy producers, contributing to the adoption of clean and renewable energy.
In a notable example from rural Rajnandgaon district, Tikam Hotel operators from Gathula village — Ankalu Ram Sahu and his son Kundan Sahu — have installed two separate 3-kilowatt rooftop solar plants at their residence, setting an inspiring model for surrounding communities. Their initiative has drawn attention across nearby villages, encouraging many residents to explore solar energy solutions.
Prior to installing the solar systems, the family’s monthly electricity bill ranged between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000. After learning about the scheme, they applied online and coordinated with a registered vendor to install single-phase solar plants costing approximately ₹2 lakh each. Within a month of installation, they received a subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh in their respective bank accounts from the Central and State governments. As a result, their household electricity bill has effectively dropped to zero, and the family has achieved energy independence.
Expressing gratitude, the beneficiaries thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while urging citizens to adopt solar energy. They emphasised that widespread adoption would not only reduce electricity costs but also allow households to earn additional income by supplying surplus power to the grid.
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According to Electricity Department Public Relations Officer Dharmendra Shah Mandavi, the scheme offers significant subsidies for rooftop solar installations along with loan facilities from nationalised banks at approximately 6 percent interest for up to 10 years. Under the programme, a 1-kilowatt plant receives ₹45,000 assistance (₹30,000 from the Centre and ₹15,000 from the State), a 2-kilowatt plant receives up to ₹90,000 subsidy, while 3-kilowatt or higher capacity installations receive ₹78,000 from the Centre and ₹30,000 from the State — totalling ₹1.08 lakh in financial assistance.
The scheme enables households to generate electricity on their rooftops and connect to the grid through net metering. Any surplus power produced beyond consumption is supplied back to the grid, ensuring zero electricity bills and the potential for additional income. Officials said the initiative is playing a key role in energy conservation and environmental sustainability while empowering citizens to become contributors to the power ecosystem.
