Centre Considers Battery Storage and Shared Rooftop Solar in Proposed PM Surya Ghar 2.0

Officials are exploring the next phase of India's flagship rooftop solar scheme, with discussions centred on battery storage, community solar models and stronger grid integration.

The Union government is considering a second phase of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana that could introduce battery storage and shared rooftop solar systems, as policymakers look at the next stage of India's residential solar programme. The proposals are under discussion as the scheme moves toward its target of reaching one crore households by March 2027, with officials indicating that installations are expected to cross 50 lakh homes in the near term.

According to discussions within the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), officials are examining ways to improve the programme beyond rooftop installations. Areas under consideration include battery storage, shared or community rooftop solar for apartment residents, grid integration, electricity distribution company (DISCOM) readiness, financing mechanisms, quality assurance and long-term market sustainability.

Battery storage has emerged as one of the key ideas because rooftop solar systems generate electricity only during daylight hours. Batteries would allow households to store excess electricity for use after sunset or during power outages, potentially improving the economics and reliability of residential solar systems.

Officials are also evaluating shared rooftop solar models that could allow residents of apartment complexes and homes without suitable roof space to benefit from solar generation. Such models are already used in several international markets and could help broaden the reach of the scheme if adopted in India.

Launched in February 2024 with an approved outlay of ₹75,021 crore, PM Surya Ghar provides central financial assistance to encourage residential rooftop solar installations. The programme has recorded steady growth over the past year, making rooftop solar one of the fastest-growing segments of India's clean energy transition.

As residential solar capacity expands, policymakers are increasingly focused on how millions of rooftop systems will connect with local electricity networks. The consultations are therefore examining issues such as grid preparedness, DISCOM capacity, financing and system performance alongside consumer adoption.

The discussions remain at a consultation stage, and the government has not announced a formal policy, implementation timeline or subsidy framework for what has informally been referred to as PM Surya Ghar 2.0. Any expansion of the scheme will be subject to government approval.

If approved, the next phase would broaden the programme's scope beyond installing rooftop panels by addressing electricity storage, shared solar access and integration with India's evolving power network.