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Electricity bills have only gone one direction for most Indian households — up. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana tackles this head-on by paying homeowners a direct subsidy to install rooftop solar, with the goal of covering 1 crore households and giving many of them close to 300 units of free electricity every month.
If you’re wondering whether you qualify, how much subsidy you’ll actually get, and what a 1kW, 2kW, or 3kW system really costs after the subsidy, here’s the complete breakdown.
PM Surya Ghar Subsidy Eligibility — Who Qualifies
- You must be an Indian resident with a valid electricity connection in your own name.
- The subsidy is paid only to the person whose name is on both the house and the electricity meter — tenants cannot apply directly, though they can apply with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner.
- Your rooftop needs to be shadow-free, with roughly 100 sq. ft of usable space for a 1kW system and around 300 sq. ft for a 3kW system.
- Your NPCI DBT link (Aadhaar-seeded bank account) must be active — this is how the subsidy actually reaches you, and a broken DBT link is one of the most common reasons for delayed payouts.
- You shouldn’t have already claimed a rooftop solar subsidy under an earlier central scheme for the same property.
How Much Subsidy Do You Actually Get?
The central subsidy is structured per kW, with a hard cap:
| System Size | Subsidy Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW or more | ₹78,000 (maximum — no additional subsidy beyond 3kW) |
Residents of special category states (Northeast and hill states) can receive a higher subsidy — up to roughly ₹1,17,000 in some cases. A few states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, also offer additional state-level top-up subsidies on top of the central amount, so it’s worth checking your state DISCOM’s page after registering on the national portal.
The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account — not adjusted against the installer’s invoice — typically 30–45 days after installation, net-metering, and DISCOM inspection are completed.
System Size, Cost & Savings Breakdown
Choosing the right system size depends on your monthly electricity consumption, not just your budget:
- 0–150 units/month consumption → 1–2kW system recommended
- 150–300 units/month consumption → 2–3kW system recommended
- 300+ units/month consumption → 3kW or larger recommended
1kW System
- Approximate cost: ₹60,000–₹70,000
- Subsidy: ₹30,000
- Your net cost: roughly ₹30,000–₹40,000
- Suitable for very small households with low daytime consumption
2kW System
- Approximate cost: ₹1,00,000–₹1,20,000
- Subsidy: ₹60,000
- Your net cost: roughly ₹40,000–₹60,000
- Suitable for small families with moderate daily usage
3kW System
- Approximate cost: ₹1,40,000–₹1,60,000
- Subsidy: ₹78,000 (maximum)
- Your net cost: roughly ₹62,000–₹82,000
- Suitable for most urban households — this is the size most families end up installing, since the subsidy caps out here regardless of how much bigger you go
On electricity bill savings: actual savings depend heavily on your consumption pattern, local weather, and how much of your usage happens during daylight hours — some households see their bill drop close to zero, while others see a substantial but partial reduction. A rooftop system typically continues generating for 25+ years, so the long-term savings usually far outweigh the upfront net cost.
If you can’t pay the balance upfront, solar loans are available from SBI, PNB, and Canara Bank at relatively low interest rates (around 7.25% at SBI), and loans up to ₹2 lakh generally require a CIBIL score of 680 or above — though some banks still consider new-to-credit applicants.
How to Register: Step-by-Step (apply pmsuryaghar gov in)
- Go to the official portal — pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Use only this domain; several lookalike sites exist.
- Click “Apply for Rooftop Solar” under the Quick Links or Consumer section.
- Select your State and DISCOM (electricity distribution company).
- Enter your electricity consumer number (found on your electricity bill), active mobile number, and complete the CAPTCHA.
- Verify your account via the OTP sent to your mobile.
- Log in and fill in your name, address, and desired system size (1kW, 2kW, or 3kW).
- Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC through the portal.
- Upload the required documents: latest electricity bill, Aadhaar, bank passbook (Aadhaar-seeded), and — in some states — a house tax receipt.
- Submit the application for DISCOM technical feasibility approval.
Registration itself takes about 15–30 minutes if your documents are ready.
Choosing a Vendor & Completing Installation
- Once DISCOM approves feasibility, go to the “Find Vendor” section on the portal.
- Select only from the MNRE-empanelled vendor list — this is mandatory for subsidy eligibility; a non-empanelled installer disqualifies your claim.
- The vendor installs the system and applies for net-metering with your DISCOM.
- After DISCOM inspection and net-meter installation, upload the commissioning report on the portal.
- Submit your bank account details for the subsidy claim — this triggers the 30–45 day disbursal window.
Common Mistakes That Delay the Subsidy
- Consumer number mismatch — double-check the number from your latest electricity bill, not an old one.
- DBT link inactive — confirm your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded and NPCI-mapped before submitting your claim.
- Using a non-empanelled vendor to save cost — this is the single biggest reason subsidy claims get rejected outright.
- Property/meter name mismatch — the electricity connection and subsidy claimant name must match.
FAQs
1. What is the maximum PM Surya Ghar subsidy I can get? ₹78,000 is the maximum central subsidy, applicable for systems of 3kW or larger. Installing a bigger system doesn’t increase the subsidy beyond this cap, though it may increase your savings on electricity bills.
2. Can tenants apply for PM Surya Ghar Yojana? Not directly. The subsidy goes only to whoever’s name is on both the house and the electricity meter. Tenants can apply with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner.
3. How long does it take to receive the subsidy after installation? Typically 30–45 days after installation, net-metering, and DISCOM inspection are completed and the commissioning report is uploaded on the portal.
4. Which vendors can I choose for installation? Only vendors listed under the MNRE-empanelled vendor list on pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Installing through a non-empanelled vendor will disqualify your subsidy claim.
5. Do I need a loan to install a 3kW solar system? Not necessarily, but if you can’t pay the net cost (roughly ₹62,000–₹82,000 after subsidy) upfront, solar loans are available from banks like SBI, PNB, and Canara Bank at relatively low interest rates.
6. Is there any additional subsidy beyond the central ₹78,000? Some states — including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan — offer additional state-level top-up subsidies. Special category states (Northeast, hill states) also get a higher central subsidy cap. Check your state DISCOM page for current terms.
