☀️ Rooftop Solar · Government Subsidy
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Subsidy, Eligibility and How to Apply
The complete guide to the central rooftop solar subsidy: how much you get for 1, 2 and 3 kW, who can apply, documents, the step-by-step process, loans, net metering, state top-ups and the official links. Updated October 2026.
By FinMandi Team·Updated 31 October 2026·12 min read✓ Official links included
The portal does not charge any application fee. Do not pay anyone to "approve" your application or release your subsidy. Apply only on the official portal and pay only your DISCOM-registered installer for the system.
₹78,000maximum central subsidy (3 kW or more)
300 unitsfree electricity a month, as the scheme's aim
31 Mar 2027scheme approved till (FY 2026-27)
₹75,021 crapproved outlay (Feb 2024)
💰How much subsidy do you get?
The central subsidy (Central Financial Assistance) is paid into your bank account after the system is commissioned. It is 60% of the benchmark cost for the first 2 kW and 40% of the benchmark cost for the third kW, and nothing extra above 3 kW.
| System size | Central subsidy | Typically suits a monthly bill of |
|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 | Up to about 150 units |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 | About 150 units |
| 3 kW | ₹78,000 | About 150 to 300 units |
| Above 3 kW | ₹78,000 (capped) | Above 300 units |
Reading the table: the amounts follow the benchmark prices the government has used. Benchmarks can change, so confirm the figure for your system size on the portal. The size guide by consumption is based on a Business Today explainer, and your actual roof space and usage matter more.
🧮Subsidy and savings calculator
Enter your system size and the price your vendor quotes. The numbers are estimates, not an offer.
₹78,000Central subsidy
₹1,22,000Your cost after subsidy
360Units a month (estimate)
4 yrsPayback (estimate)
Assumptions: subsidy is 60% of the benchmark for the first 2 kW and 40% of the third kW, capped at ₹78,000 (₹30,000 per kW up to 2 kW, ₹18,000 for the third kW). Generation is assumed at about 4 units per kW per day, which varies with city, roof direction and shade. The default cost of ₹2,00,000 for 3 kW is only an example, not a benchmark. Savings ignore net-metering rules, tariff changes and maintenance.
✅Who is eligible?
- You are an Indian citizen.
- You own a house with a roof that is suitable for solar panels, with enough shadow-free space.
- You have a valid residential electricity connection in your name or your household's.
- You have not taken any other subsidy for rooftop solar on the same roof.
Renting or living in an apartment? If you do not own the roof, you generally cannot claim the household subsidy. Apartments and housing societies have a separate common-facility route. See the apartments section below.
📄Documents and details you will need
- Electricity consumer number and a recent bill
- Aadhaar or another government photo ID
- Proof of address
- Roof or house ownership proof
- Mobile number and email linked to you
- Bank account details and a cancelled cheque for the subsidy
- Passport-size photo, if asked
- Your DISCOM's feasibility approval, once received
Exact documents can differ by state and DISCOM. The names on your electricity bill, ID and bank account should match, or the claim can be held up.
🪜How to apply: step by step
1
Check your eligibility
Make sure you own the house, the roof is shadow-free and strong enough, and you have a valid residential electricity connection with no earlier rooftop solar subsidy.
2
Register on the national portal
Go to
pmsuryaghar.gov.in, choose your state and electricity distribution company (DISCOM), and enter your consumer number, mobile number and email.
3
Apply for rooftop solar
Log in with your consumer number and mobile, fill in the rooftop solar application and upload your latest electricity bill.
4
Wait for DISCOM feasibility approval
Your DISCOM checks whether your connection and roof qualify. Do not buy or install anything before you have this approval.
5
Choose a registered vendor and install
Pick a vendor registered with your DISCOM on the portal, agree the system size and price in writing, and have it installed. Ask for the make, warranty and the vendor's registration details.
6
Apply for net metering and inspection
After installation, submit the details on the portal and request net metering. The DISCOM inspects the system and issues a commissioning certificate.
7
Submit bank details and receive the subsidy
Add your bank account details and a cancelled cheque on the portal. The subsidy is then paid directly to your account after verification.
Tip: keep screenshots or PDFs of every portal step, your quotation, the vendor's registration, invoices and the commissioning certificate. They help if anything is queried later.
🏦Loans for rooftop solar
If you do not want to pay the full amount upfront, public sector and some private banks offer rooftop solar loans linked to the scheme. News reports describe collateral-free loans at about 7% for systems up to 3 kW, but each bank sets its own rate, tenure and eligibility.
- Ask the bank for the interest rate, processing fee and tenure in writing.
- Compare the EMI with the electricity bill you will save.
- The subsidy goes to your account after commissioning, so you may use it to part-prepay the loan if the bank allows.
- Check the portal for the list of participating banks and your bank's own page.
Related: more government schemes and bank forms and guides.
🏢Apartments and housing societies
Resident welfare associations (RWAs) and group housing societies can get a subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW for solar on common facilities such as lifts, lighting, water pumps and EV charging. The support is for up to 3 kW per house, with a ceiling of 500 kW for the society, and it includes any individual rooftop plants of residents. Details and conditions are in the scheme guidelines on the portal.
🗺️State subsidy on top of the central one
Some states add their own top-up. Gujarat, for example, announced extra support for residential systems up to 2.18 kWp, with a consumer contribution of about 5% of the benchmark cost for SC/ST households and 10% for others, according to a SolarQuarter report dated 27 October 2026. Other states such as Rajasthan and Maharashtra are also reported to offer top-ups.
Always check locally. State rules change often. Ask your DISCOM or state energy department, and read the official order before you decide.
⚡Net metering: how you actually save
Your solar system feeds your home first. Extra power goes to the grid and is recorded by a net meter. The units you export are credited against the units you draw from the grid, as per your state's net metering rules, so your bill falls. Net metering is applied for after installation, and the DISCOM inspects the system before it is commissioned.
- Your bill does not become zero in every month. Fixed charges and seasonal generation still matter.
- Rules for leftover credit differ by state.
- Panels need cleaning and an inverter may need replacement during the system's life. Ask for the warranty terms.
📅Deadline and scheme status
The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 29 February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore and is implemented until FY 2026-27 (31 March 2027). MNRE data reported by Business Today showed more than 26 lakh rooftop systems installed and about ₹17,967 crore of subsidy released as of 19 March 2026.
Extension: as of 31 October 2026 I could not find an official notice extending the scheme, though some reports say an extension or a successor scheme is being considered. Do not assume one. If you plan to apply, aim to complete the installation well before March 2027, because inspection and commissioning take time.
⚠️Common reasons for rejection
- Installing before DISCOM feasibility approval.
- Using an unregistered vendor or components that do not meet the scheme's requirements.
- Name mismatch between electricity bill, ID and bank account.
- A commercial or industrial connection instead of residential.
- Disputed ownership of the roof or house.
- Having already taken another rooftop solar subsidy.
- Wrong bank details or a cancelled cheque that does not match.
Scam alert: be careful of calls, WhatsApp messages and websites that ask for a "registration fee", OTP or advance to "approve" your subsidy. Official updates are on the national portal and your DISCOM.
🔗Official government links
I opened the India.gov.in page but could not open pmsuryaghar.gov.in, MNRE or PIB from our tools, so those links are standard official addresses that you should check yourself. For your state's DISCOM page, search for your DISCOM's name with "PM Surya Ghar".
❓Frequently asked questions
How much subsidy do I get under PM Surya Ghar?
The central subsidy is 60% of the benchmark cost for systems up to 2 kW and 40% of the additional cost for capacity between 2 and 3 kW, capped at 3 kW. At current benchmark prices that is about ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW and ₹78,000 for 3 kW or more. A bigger system does not get a bigger central subsidy. Check the portal for the benchmark in force when you apply.
Is the solar system really free?
No. The scheme is called "Muft Bijli" because it aims to give you up to 300 units of free electricity a month from your own solar, but you still pay the vendor for the system and get the subsidy back in your bank account after commissioning. Rooftop solar loans are available if you do not want to pay everything upfront.
Who can apply?
An Indian citizen who owns a house with a roof suitable for solar, has a valid residential electricity connection, and has not already taken a subsidy for rooftop solar. Resident welfare associations and group housing societies can apply for common facilities under a separate subsidy.
Do I need to pay anything to register on the portal?
No. The national portal does not charge a registration or application fee. Anyone asking for money to "approve" your application or "release" your subsidy is not an official channel. Pay only your registered vendor for the installation.
Can I choose my own installer?
You choose from vendors registered with your electricity distribution company (DISCOM) on the portal. Do not install through an unregistered vendor, or your subsidy can be rejected.
How long does it take to get the subsidy?
The government says subsidy is generally released within about 15 days of a valid request after commissioning. Installers report that in practice it can take 30 to 45 days. The time depends on your DISCOM inspection and the bank details you submit, so keep them accurate.
Is there a last date to apply?
The scheme is approved for implementation until the end of FY 2026-27, which is 31 March 2027. As of October 2026 I could not find an official notice of an extension, although some reports mention one is being considered. Check the portal and your DISCOM before you plan around any date.
Can I get a state subsidy as well?
Some states add their own subsidy on top of the central one. Gujarat, for example, announced additional support for systems up to 2.18 kWp in October 2026, as reported by SolarQuarter. State rules differ and change, so ask your DISCOM or state energy department.
Can I get a loan for rooftop solar?
Banks offer loans for rooftop solar under the scheme. News reports describe collateral-free loans at about 7% for systems up to 3 kW, but rates and eligibility are set by each bank. Ask the bank for the current rate in writing. The portal lists participating banks.
What happens to extra electricity I generate?
With net metering, the extra power your system sends to the grid is recorded and credited against your consumption, as per your state's net metering rules. Credit rules and what happens to leftover units differ by state.
What is the helpline number?
A toll-free helpline, 15555, is reported for the scheme, but I could not open the official portal to confirm it. Check the "Contact" or "Helpline" section of pmsuryaghar.gov.in before relying on it.
📚Related guides
Disclaimer: General information as of 31 October 2026, compiled from official pages and news reports. Subsidy amounts, benchmark costs, loan terms, state top-ups and deadlines change. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm everything on the official portal and with your DISCOM before you apply or pay any vendor. FinMandi is not a government body and is not affiliated with the scheme.