The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced a Rs 5 billion Innovative Projects Component as part of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aiming to showcase and demonstrate advanced solar technologies and applications. Background and Scope The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which received approval on February 29, 2024, is designed to enhance the share of rooftop solar capacity and empower households to generate their own electricity. With a total budget of Rs 750.21 billion, the program is scheduled for implementation until the fiscal year 2026-27. The Innovative Projects Component focuses on identifying, funding, and supporting innovations in both business models and technical deployments of rooftop solar systems. The Innovative Projects Component has several objectives: 1.Fostering Innovation: The initiative seeks to identify and finance groundbreaking innovations in business models and technical deployments of rooftop solar systems. 2. Supporting Startups and Institutions: By offering a platform for collaborative pilots, proofs-of-concept, and scaling up new business models, the component aims to foster the growth of startups and institutions within the solar energy sector. 3. Creating New Pathways: The project intends to develop new avenues for deploying distributed renewable energy, benefiting both households and businesses. 4. Empowering DISCOMs: A major focus is on creating technological and management tools that enable distribution companies (DISCOMs) to better manage distributed energy resources within their grids. The component also supports the integration of cutting-edge technology into real-world rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy deployments.