The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has unveiled fresh guidelines for vendor registration under the recently approved PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana rooftop solar program, marking a significant stride in India's renewable energy journey.

With an ambitious outlay of ?750 billion (~$9.04 billion), the PM Surya Ghar program endeavors to escalate residential rooftop solar capacity, thereby empowering households to generate their electricity autonomously until the financial year 2026-27.

According to the new guidelines, vendors keen on installing rooftop solar projects under the program must register on the National Portal. Existing vendors registered under the preceding Grid-Connected Rooftop System (GCRT) Phase II initiative will automatically transition into registration for the PM Surya Ghar program.

To facilitate new vendor registrations, REC Limited has been appointed as the national registering authority. Vendors are required to furnish a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of ?2.5 million (~$30,000) for registration, valid for a minimum of five years.

Registered vendors will be authorized to install rooftop solar systems nationwide. However, they have the option to specify preferred states and districts of operation, ensuring visibility in consumer search listings accordingly.

At the state level, the registration process established under the previous GCRT Phase II initiative remains intact. Vendors must apply alongside a ?250,000 ($3,000) for the entire state from vendors.

Vendor registrations will hold validity for five years, with the option of renewal for an additional five years by extending the bank guarantee, devoid of any supplementary charges.

The announcement of the program earlier this year by the Prime Minister underscored its aim to curtail electricity expenses for impoverished and middle-class households, concurrently fostering India's self-reliance in the energy sector.

In a recent development, MNRE has solicited comments and suggestions on the draft guidelines for implementing the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in the residential rooftop solar segment, signaling a collaborative approach towards sustainable energy solutions.

The unveiling of the new guidelines represents a crucial milestone in India's quest for renewable energy adoption, poised to redefine the landscape of residential electricity generation while advancing the nation towards its green energy targets.