The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana may see a major change in its next phase. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is holding early talks on adding battery energy storage systems to rooftop solar projects.
No final decision has been made yet. The talks aim to find problems in the current scheme and build a stronger rooftop solar market for the long term. MNRE is speaking with think tanks, solar companies, equipment sellers, power distribution companies, and other experts.
Why battery storage matters for solar homes
Rooftop solar panels produce power when the sun is shining. This creates a simple problem: homes often need more power in the evening, when solar output falls. A battery can store extra solar power during the day and supply it later.
This can help households use more of the electricity they produce. It can also reduce their need to draw power from the grid. For families, that may mean lower electricity bills and better use of their rooftop solar systems.
Battery storage can also help during short power cuts, if the system and local rules allow backup use. In simple terms, the battery acts like a lunchbox for solar power. It stores the extra portion instead of letting it go to waste.
Benefits for the power grid
Experts say batteries could support local power networks as well. When many homes send unused solar power back to the grid at the same time, the flow of electricity can rise in the wrong direction. This is known as reverse power flow.
Battery storage may reduce this issue by keeping more solar power within the home. It could also ease pressure on local voltage levels and help distribution companies manage demand during busy hours.
A battery may be most useful when it supplies power during periods of high demand. This is also when stored electricity can offer the greatest value to the grid.
Higher upfront cost remains a key concern
Adding a battery will raise the initial cost of a rooftop solar project. This could make the system harder to afford for many households, even if it lowers power bills over time.
Experts have suggested that the government may need to offer capital support for the battery part of the system. One proposal is to link some support to the actual discharge of the battery during high-demand periods. Under this model, a battery could receive more support when it provides power when the grid needs it most.
Such a plan would need clear rules. It would also need reliable data on battery use, charge levels, and power supplied to the home or grid. Otherwise, the paperwork may grow faster than the battery market.
Smart inverters and battery rules
Experts have also raised the need for safe communication between rooftop solar systems, batteries, and power companies. Support may be limited to systems with communication-enabled inverters or battery management systems that follow approved protocols.
These controls can help utilities track performance and manage power flows. They may also improve safety and reduce the risk of poor-quality equipment entering the market.
For consumers, this means the cheapest battery may not qualify for support. Buyers may need to check whether the inverter, battery, and installer meet the technical standards set under the scheme.
Could tenants and housing societies benefit?
Rooftop solar is often easier to install in independent homes than in rented homes or apartment blocks. Tenants may not own the roof, while housing societies must agree on how to share the power and cost.
A battery-linked model could help expand access in these settings. A housing society could use a shared rooftop system and store power for common areas or approved household use. It may also support solar services for tenants who cannot install panels on their own homes.
These projects will need simple billing rules. Residents will want to know who owns the system, who pays for repairs, and how the stored power is divided. A solar panel on the roof should not lead to a new argument in the lift lobby.
Rural expansion is part of the discussion
The next phase may also look at ways to take rooftop solar deeper into rural areas. Solar and battery systems could support homes and small businesses in places where the grid is weak or power supply is uneven.
However, rural projects may face higher service and maintenance costs. The policy may need local installers, simple financing, warranty support, and access to spare parts. Without these services, even a good system can become an expensive box on a roof.
Policy stability will matter
Industry representatives have asked the government to avoid sudden changes in the scheme. Stable rules can help manufacturers, installers, banks, and consumers plan better.
The final design of PM Surya Ghar will need to balance subsidy costs, consumer savings, grid needs, equipment standards, and access for tenants and rural households. MNRE’s discussions are still at an early stage, so details such as battery size, support levels, eligibility rules, and implementation dates remain open.
