PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
Install rooftop solar and get up to 300 units/month free electricity plus a direct subsidy of up to ₹78,000 credited to your bank account.
Scheme progress — as of December 2025
26 lakh+
Households enrolled
₹14,771 cr
Subsidy disbursed
20.85 lakh
Systems installed
4,946 MW
Rooftop capacity added
Subsidy Structure (Residential)
Central government subsidy under PM Surya Ghar for grid-connected rooftop solar systems.
System Size
Up to 2 kW
₹30,000/kW
Maximum ₹60,000
System Size
2 kW – 3 kW
₹18,000/kW
Additional slab, total up to ₹78,000
System Size
Above 3 kW
Capped
Maximum ₹78,000 regardless of size
State-wise Subsidy — Central + Top-up
Many states stack additional subsidies on top of the central ₹78,000. Your total saving depends on where you live.
| State | Central subsidy (3 kW) | State top-up | Total benefit | Nodal agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat#1 | ₹78,000 | 35% of system cost | Highest in India | GEDA |
| Rajasthan | ₹78,000 | Up to ₹35,000/kW | Very high | RRECL |
| Maharashtra | ₹78,000 | State scheme (MSEDCL) | High | MEDA |
| Delhi | ₹78,000 | ₹2,000/kW (max ₹6,000) | ₹84,000 | DISCOM / Delhi Solar Policy |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹78,000 | Additional state benefit | High | UPNEDA |
| Kerala | ₹78,000 | KSEB tie-ups | Moderate–high | ANERT |
| Karnataka | ₹78,000 | Net metering benefit | Moderate | KREDL |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹78,000 | TANGEDCO programme | Moderate | TEDA |
State subsidy amounts change periodically. Verify current figures with your state nodal agency before installation.
Real-world savings examples
See what the numbers actually look like for different household sizes.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Pune, Maharashtra
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Estimates based on average 2025 installation costs and tariff rates. Use our calculator for a personalised figure.
Recommended System Size by Usage
Match your monthly electricity consumption to the right solar system size.
Monthly Usage
0 – 150 units
1 – 2 kW system
Ideal for small households with 2–3 appliances
Monthly Usage
150 – 300 units
2 – 3 kW system
Covers most mid-size families
Monthly Usage
300+ units
3 kW+ system
Heavy consumers with ACs, water heaters
Key Benefits
Why PM Surya Ghar is India's most impactful residential solar programme.
Free Electricity
Up to 300 units per month at zero cost, reducing bills dramatically.
Direct Bank Transfer
Subsidy is credited directly to your account after inspection — no middlemen.
25+ Year Returns
Solar panels last decades, delivering savings long after the payback period.
Net Metering
Export surplus power back to the grid and earn bill credits from your DISCOM.
Property Value
Solar installation increases resale value of your home.
Fast Processing
Government portal tracks applications with defined timelines at each step.
How to Apply — Step by Step
The entire process is online through the national PM Surya Ghar portal.
Register
Sign up on pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your electricity consumer number
Get Approval
DISCOM reviews your connection for technical feasibility and grants sanction
Install
Choose a registered vendor to install your rooftop solar system
Inspection
Net meter installed and system inspected by your DISCOM
Subsidy
Submit bank details; subsidy amount credited to your account within 30 days
Register
Sign up on pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your electricity consumer number
Get Approval
DISCOM reviews your connection for feasibility and grants sanction
Install
Choose a registered vendor to install your rooftop solar system
Inspection
Net meter installed and system inspected by DISCOM
Subsidy
Submit bank details; amount credited within 30 days
Financing Options
Can't pay upfront? Solar loans make it possible to go solar with zero or minimal down payment.
Collateral-free solar loans
Partner banks offer dedicated solar financing at around 7% interest — no property collateral required for systems up to 3 kW.
Official partner banks
EMI plans from vendors
Many registered installers offer in-house EMI schemes with 6–120 month tenures. In most cases the monthly EMI is lower than your current electricity bill — making the switch cash-flow positive from day one.
Example: ₹1,00,000 net cost at 7% over 5 years ≈ ₹1,980/month EMI
Eligibility Criteria
- Indian resident with a valid residential electricity connection
- Own or have consent from the property owner for rooftop installation
- Connection must be from a DISCOM that has opted into the PM Surya Ghar scheme
- Property must have adequate roof space (roughly 10 sq ft per 100W of capacity)
- System must be grid-connected — off-grid systems are not eligible for this subsidy
- Solar panels must use Indian-manufactured (DCR) cells and modules — imported panels disqualify you from the subsidy
- Inverter must be BIS-certified — confirm this with your installer before signing any contract
- Must not have previously claimed any other government subsidy for solar panel installation
DCR compliance is a common gotcha. Some installers upsell non-DCR (imported) panels without disclosing the subsidy disqualification. Always ask for a written confirmation of DCR compliance and the BIS certificate number before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions homeowners ask most before applying.
How much subsidy will I actually receive under PM Surya Ghar?
The central government subsidy is ₹30,000/kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000/kW for the 2–3 kW slab, capped at ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system. Several states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi) provide additional top-up subsidies on top of this. The amount is credited directly to your bank account within 30 days of the commissioning certificate being generated.
How long does it take to receive the subsidy after installation?
Once your installer submits the commissioning certificate through the PM Surya Ghar portal and your DISCOM inspects the system and installs the net meter, the subsidy is credited to your registered bank account within 30 days. The total process from application to subsidy receipt typically takes 2–4 months depending on your DISCOM's processing speed.
What is DCR compliance and why does it matter?
DCR stands for Domestic Content Requirement. To qualify for the central subsidy, your solar panels must use Indian-manufactured cells and modules (BIS-certified), and the inverter must also be BIS-compliant. If your installer uses imported panels, you will not receive the subsidy. Always confirm DCR compliance before signing any installation contract.
Can I get the subsidy for a system larger than 3 kW?
Yes, you can install a larger system, but the central subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 regardless of system size. For systems above 3 kW, the additional kW capacity is installed at your own cost with no further central subsidy. However, larger systems generate more power and export more to the grid, improving your overall ROI.
Will the subsidy money come directly to me or to the installer?
The subsidy is credited directly to your (the homeowner's) bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) — no middlemen involved. You will need to submit your bank account details on the PM Surya Ghar portal after installation. Beware of installers who claim the subsidy goes through them first.
Can I get a loan if I cannot afford the upfront cost?
Yes. Under PM Surya Ghar, collateral-free loans at around 7% interest are available through partner banks including SBI, Bank of India, and SIDBI for systems up to 3 kW. Many vendors also offer in-house EMI plans. In most cases, the monthly EMI is lower than your current electricity bill, making the switch cash-flow positive from day one.
What if my state's DISCOM has not opted into the scheme?
All major DISCOMs across India have enrolled in PM Surya Ghar. If your DISCOM has not yet done so, you can check the official portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in. In rare cases where a DISCOM is not participating, you may still install solar but will not be eligible for the central subsidy until they join.
Does the scheme cover apartments and housing societies?
Yes. Group Housing Societies (GHS) and Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) are eligible for a subsidy of ₹18,000/kW for shared facilities including EV charging stations, up to 500 kW capacity. Individual flat owners within a GHS can also claim subsidies for their individual rooftop installations separately.
Ready to go solar?
Use our free calculator to estimate your system size, savings, and payback period — then connect with verified installers near you.
Subsidy rates and eligibility conditions are subject to change by the Government of India. Always verify current details on the official pmsuryaghar.gov.in portal before making investment decisions.