Zero power bills, extra income: 740 consumers earn by selling solar power in Tripura in present quarter

Worries over electricity bills are steadily becoming a thing of the past in Tripura. Rooftops, tin sheds and even household courtyards are now turning into sources not just of power, but of income. The Prime Minister’s flagship PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is no longer just a policy announcement in the state; it is delivering visible financial relief on the ground.

According to data shared by Biswajit Basu Managing Director of Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), as many as 740 electricity consumers across the state earned money during the current quarter by selling surplus solar power back to the grid. These consumers installed rooftop solar panels under the scheme and not only brought their electricity bills down to zero, but also generated additional income by exporting excess power.

For the last three months, none of these 740 consumers had to pay a single rupee as electricity charges. Instead, TSECL transferred a total amount of 2,64,331.94 directly to their bank accounts on Wednesday as payment for the electricity supplied to the grid. The development marks a significant shift in how household electricity is perceived—from a monthly expense to a potential revenue stream.

Explaining the impact of the scheme, Biswajit Basu said that the core strength of the initiative lies in changing the role of consumers. Electricity is no longer just something people pay for. Those who produce more power than they consume can feed the surplus into the grid and earn from it. At a time when many households remain anxious about rising power bills, these 740 consumers now benefiting financially from clean energy adoption.

Officials and experts see this success as a quiet revolution in the power sector. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has repeatedly stressed that conventional energy sources such as coal and gas will not last forever. According to him, the future lies in renewable alternatives, with solar energy emerging as the most dependable option. Through this scheme, every household has the potential to become a power producer, reducing dependence on traditional sources while opening up new income opportunities.

The Tripura government has taken an active role in implementing the scheme. A clear target has been set to bring 50,000 families under the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ by 2027. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops, tin roofs or specially built platforms on the ground, making the scheme accessible even to households without concrete roofs. This ensures that families can meet their own electricity needs and still earn by selling surplus power.

The project will be implemented from the 2023–24 financial year to 2026–27, with a total government expenditure of ₹75,021 crore. To encourage participation, the Centre has announced attractive subsidies. For the first 2 kilowatts of solar capacity, consumers receive ₹33,000 per kilowatt as subsidy. An additional ₹19,800 is provided for the next 1 kilowatt, allowing households installing up to 3 kilowatts to receive a maximum subsidy of ₹85,800.

Freedom from electricity bills and the opportunity to earn by selling power—this combination is reshaping household economics in Tripura. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is steadily creating a new reality where clean energy brings both sustainability and steady income to ordinary families.