Kamal Ghorui
Noida: Over 800 power consumers of a private discom in Greater Noida have got the supply virtually free in at least one billing cycle because of solar power.Eight hundred and eight consumers of Noida Power Company Ltd (NPCL) have achieved this zero power charge under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Zero power charge means that a domestic consumer has generated enough solar electricity via a rooftop system to fully offset the electricity they consumed from the grid during that month. According to the recent tariff, the per-unit charge for domestic electricity in Greater Noida ranges from Rs 3.00 to Rs 6.50/kWh, depending on usage, plus fixed charges.Of the over 2.2 lakh consumers of NPCL in Greater Noida, 1,781 rooftop solar panels have been installed in the discom’s licensed area, of which 1,162 were installed under the scheme. This is a ray of hope and an encouraging one.The Rs 75,021-crore Yojana was launched on Feb 15, 2024, under which households are provided a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. The subsidy covers up to 40% of the cost of the panels.At the heart of this transformation is net metering that allows households to generate electricity through rooftop solar panels and export surplus power to the grid. During peak sunlight hours, excess electricity is fed into the grid, while at night or during low-generation periods, consumers can draw the power. Over a billing cycle, if solar generation equals or exceeds consumption, the net energy charge becomes zero.“Installing a 3-kWh rooftop solar plant under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has made a huge difference,” a resident of Sector Sigma 1, Shyamal Datta, said. “Since I installed the panels in April last year, my solar generation consistently exceeds my net consumption, and now I can keep my energy bill limited to just the fixed charges.”For domestic consumption, the benefits extend beyond savings. A typical 3-5 kWh rooftop solar system significantly reduces dependence on conventional grid electricity. Moreover, solar panels provide rooftop insulation, helping lower indoor temperatures, an added advantage during the summer months.A resident of NSG Society, Pragya Shahin, said, “After installing a 10-kWh solar system in June 2024, I no longer have to pay anything for electricity. Earlier, I used to receive very high electricity bills of Rs 5,000 or more. Now, the roof of my upper floor is also cooler than before, thanks to the shade provided by the solar panels.”Meena Kumari, a resident of Sector Omicron 1A, said, “Earlier, I used to pay around Rs 1,500 every month as electricity bills, which has now reduced to almost zero. My decision to install a 3-kWh solar panel on my roof two years ago has not only helped us generate our own clean power but also allowed us to protect our household budget and reduce our carbon footprint for future generations.”“Zero energy charge bills are no longer an aspiration but a tangible reality for many households in Greater Noida,” said Sarnath Ganguly, senior vice president (head distribution), NPCL, Greater Noida. “With supportive policies, proactive facilitation by discoms, and rising consumer awareness, rooftop solar is emerging as a smart, future-ready investment. It offers a powerful combination of cost savings, energy independence, and environmental sustainability.”
