Lucknow, April 30 -- More than 800 households of Greater Noida have slashed their electricity bills to zero-at least for one billing cycle-by turning to rooftop solar systems. The shift, powered by the government-backed PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, is rapidly reshaping how the city consumes electricity, a release by Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) read. According to NPCL, 808 consumers have already achieved zero energy charges, while over 1,160 homes have installed rooftop solar systems as of March 2026. What was once seen as an aspirational green upgrade is now becoming a practical financial strategy for middle-class households. At the core of this transformation is net metering - a billing system that allows households to export excess solar power to the grid during the day and draw electricity when needed. If generation matches or exceeds consumption over a billing cycle, energy charges effectively drop to zero, leaving only fixed costs. Residents across sectors in Greater Noida report dramatic savings. Many who once paid between Rs.1,000 and Rs.2,000 per month now see negligible bills. For some, like homeowners with larger installations, electricity costs have disappeared entirely. Consumers also point to unexpected benefits. Rooftop solar panels act as a thermal shield, reducing indoor temperatures during peak summer months-an advantage in North India's intense heat. "Rooftop solar adoption is not just reducing bills; it's changing consumption behaviour," an NPCL spokesperson said. "Consumers are becoming both producers and users of electricity, which is a significant shift toward decentralised, sustainable energy." The economics of solar systems have improved significantly due to subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, which lowers upfront installation costs. Faster approvals and smoother subsidy disbursals have further accelerated adoption....