The installation was part of the government’s scheme to offer free solar power to members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. | Photo credit: Representative image
For the first time in SPSR Nellore district, Rooftop Solar Systems (RTS) were installed at the house of a SC/ST consumer at Ramachandrapuram village in Buchireddypalem (Buchi) and successfully connected to the grid of AP Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) on Friday (March 27).
The installation was part of the government’s scheme to offer free solar power to members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. Under this regime, the cost of RTS systems is shared between the Center (through subsidy) and the State.
It was in February last year that the state government gave administrative sanction to implement the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana of the centre, in line with the Jagjeevan Jyothi Yojana, to provide free solar power to 20 lakh SC and ST consumers. After the end of the tender process, the implementation was started recently.
In a press release on Saturday (March 28), APSPDCL Chairperson and Managing Director Siva Sankar Lotheti said staff have been directed to expedite the installation of RTS systems in coordination with contractors.
In a review meeting, District Collector Prakasam P. Raja Babu directed officials and vendors to speed up the process and sought details of its progress. He warned that strict action would be taken against the sellers if they supply defective devices and directed the officials to spread awareness about the scheme among the people.
Speaking to The Hindu, APSPDCL Nellore Superintending Engineer K. Raghavenram said that nearly 40,000 SC/ST households consuming up to 200 units per month are eligible for the scheme in the district. Third party vendors have been finalized for five regions to install RTS systems up to 2 kWp. He added that the implementation of the program in the district is progressing rapidly.
Published – 28 March 2026 21:27 IST
