The Maharashtra government has launched the Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Roof Top (SMART) Solar Scheme, a major program aiming at lowering electricity bills for low-income homes while also encouraging clean energy usage. Families who consume less than 100 units of power per month would receive up to 95% subsidy for rooftop solar installations under the scheme.
According to the government resolution, below poverty line (BPL) users will pay only ₹2,500 for a 1 kW system, while Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households will pay ₹5,000. Low-consumption consumers will bear ₹10,000 of the cost. Solar energy will be almost free for thousands of families with the help of national and state subsidies.
The government has allocated ₹330 crore for 2025-26 and ₹325 crore for 2026-27 to support the program. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited will carry out the project, including installation, maintenance, and coordination with approved vendors.
Officials estimate that at least five lakh consumers, including 1.5 lakh BPL households, to profit from the initial deployment. A standard 1 kW rooftop system, which can generate approximately 120 units per month, can enable consumers to become energy self-sufficient and even earn money by selling excess electricity to the grid.
