PM Surya Ghar
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the Modi Government's most ambitious renewable energy scheme, launched on 13 February 2024 with a target of installing rooftop solar systems on 1 crore (10 million) households. It is backed by a ₹75,021 crore budget for 2024–2027.
**How the Subsidy Works:**
The Government provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) directly to the household's bank account:
- 1 kW system: ₹30,000 subsidy (total installation cost ~₹60,000–₹70,000 → you pay ~₹30,000–₹40,000)
- 2 kW system: ₹60,000 subsidy (total cost ~₹1.0–₹1.3 lakh → you pay ~₹40,000–₹70,000)
- 3 kW system: ₹78,000 subsidy (total cost ~₹1.3–₹1.8 lakh → you pay ~₹50,000–₹1 lakh)
- Above 3 kW: still ₹78,000 subsidy — additional capacity at your full cost
**The Free Electricity Math:**
- 3 kW system generates approximately 300–360 units/month (depending on your location and sunlight)
- Most Indian households consuming 200–300 units/month can eliminate their electricity bill entirely
- Net metering: surplus electricity exported to the grid is credited to your next bill or paid in cash (varies by state DISCOM)
- Typical payback period after subsidy: 4–5 years; panels last 25 years = 20+ years of free electricity
**BPL Free Solar:**
BPL (Below Poverty Line) households get 100% subsidy on a 1 kW system — the ₹30,000 CFA covers the full cost of a 1 kW installation. These households effectively get rooftop solar for free.
**Concessional Loan — for the balance cost:**
After the subsidy, if you need a loan for the remaining installation cost, partner nationalised banks offer collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh at concessional interest rates through the PM Surya Ghar portal itself.
**The Vendor Selection Process:**
You must select an MNRE-registered vendor from the portal — not a random solar company. The portal maintains a verified list of vendors in your district. The vendor installs, submits geo-tagged photos, and the DISCOM inspects — subsidy is disbursed after DISCOM approval.
Key Objectives
- Install rooftop solar on 1 crore households — generating 30 GW distributed solar capacity.
- Enable households to generate free electricity and eliminate or sharply reduce power bills.
- Earn income for households through net metering surplus export.
- Create 17 lakh direct employment in the solar installation sector.
- Reduce India's thermal power dependence through distributed residential solar.
Benefits
Eligibility
- All residential households with a valid electricity connection (consumer number)
- Owned or rented home with rooftop accessible for solar panel installation
- Must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account for subsidy disbursement
- BPL households: eligible for 100% subsidy on 1 kW system
- One subsidy per electricity consumer number (per household connection)
- Must install through an MNRE-registered vendor on the PM Surya Ghar portal
- Net metering agreement with your DISCOM is required
- Rooftop must be structurally sound and have sufficient south/east-west facing area
- Minimum rooftop area needed: ~10 sq.m for 1 kW, ~25–30 sq.m for 3 kW
- Commercial, industrial, or agricultural electricity connections — residential connections only
- Households in a RWA/housing society with a common electricity meter (apply collectively)
- Those who have already availed MNRE rooftop solar subsidy through an earlier scheme
How to Apply
Step 1: Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in using your electricity consumer number, state, and DISCOM name
Step 2: Enter mobile number and Aadhaar — OTP verification
Step 3: Check the subsidy amount eligible for your connection category
Step 4: Apply for rooftop solar — fill application with household and roof details
Step 5: Select an MNRE-registered vendor from the portal for your district
Step 6: Get technical feasibility survey done by vendor (rooftop assessment)
Step 7: Vendor installs solar panels — takes 2–4 weeks
Step 8: Vendor submits installation report with geo-tagged photos on the portal
Step 9: DISCOM inspects installation and approves net metering connection
Step 10: DISCOM uploads approval on the portal
Step 11: Subsidy amount credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account — typically within 30 days of DISCOM approval
Step 12 (optional): Apply for concessional loan through partner bank link on the portal if needed
Required Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it actually cost to install solar with PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
For a 3 kW system (recommended for households with 200–300 unit/month consumption): Total installation cost ₹1.3–₹1.8 lakh. Government subsidy: ₹78,000. Your cost: approximately ₹52,000–₹1.02 lakh. Additionally, you can take a concessional loan of up to ₹2 lakh from partner banks for the balance. Payback period after subsidy is typically 4–5 years, then 20+ years of near-free electricity.
What is net metering and how much money can I earn by selling solar power?
Net metering allows your solar meter to run backwards when you export electricity to the grid. If you generate 400 units but consume only 200 units, you export 200 units. Your electricity bill only charges for the net consumption (zero in this case). In many states, surplus exported units above your consumption are paid in cash (at ₹2–₹4/unit depending on your DISCOM). A 3 kW system owner who exports 100 units/month can earn ₹200–₹400/month in addition to zero electricity bills.
Can I apply for PM Surya Ghar if I am a tenant, not the owner of the property?
Yes, tenants can apply for PM Surya Ghar if they have an electricity connection in their name AND have written consent from the property owner. The electricity consumer number must be in your name. The solar panels become a permanent fixture — ensure the landlord's NOC specifically acknowledges this. The subsidy goes to your Aadhaar-linked bank account, not the landlord's.
How do I choose a solar vendor for PM Surya Ghar?
Only MNRE-registered vendors listed on pmsuryaghar.gov.in are eligible for the subsidy scheme. On the portal, search vendors in your district, check their ratings and completed installation count. Get quotes from at least 3 registered vendors — quality and pricing vary. Avoid vendors who ask for cash upfront before installation is complete. The subsidy is disbursed AFTER installation and DISCOM inspection — not before.
My DISCOM approval for net metering is delayed. What can I do?
DISCOM approvals are sometimes the bottleneck. Steps: (1) Follow up directly with your DISCOM's net metering helpdesk — keep written records of follow-ups; (2) Raise a complaint on the PM Surya Ghar portal → Grievance section; (3) Contact your State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) — most SERCs have a 30-day timeline regulation for net metering approvals; (4) File an RTI with your DISCOM if approval is delayed beyond 60 days. SERC intervention typically resolves DISCOM delays quickly.
I live in a flat in a housing society. Can I get PM Surya Ghar?
Individual flat owners with their own electricity meters can apply for individual rooftop solar on their terrace/balcony space — subject to available rooftop area and housing society approval. For common area solar (on the society's rooftop), the society's Resident Welfare Association (RWA) must apply collectively under a separate provision on the PM Surya Ghar portal. Individual flat owners in multi-storey buildings may be better served by collective RWA application.