Rooftop solar panels on a residential home in Delhi NCR with bright blue sky
Blog/Residential Solar

PM Surya Ghar in Delhi NCR 2026: How to Stack ₹1.08 Lakh Subsidy on Rooftop Solar (DISCOM-by-DISCOM Guide)

L
LivSmart Team
||15 min read

Delhi homeowners can now combine ₹78,000 central + ₹30,000 state subsidy under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — bringing a 3 kW rooftop system down to roughly ₹72,000 net. The application looks simple on paper, but in May 2026 the #1 bottleneck is wrong DISCOM consumer numbers. This is the exact step-by-step for BSES, TPDDL, DHBVN, PVVNL and NPCL.

It is May 8, 2026. Your April BSES Rajdhani bill landed at ₹9,400. Your neighbour in Gurgaon got hit with ₹11,200 from DHBVN. The Met Office is forecasting another 47°C week in Delhi NCR, and the cabinet just confirmed that PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana subsidies remain fully funded through FY26.

Here is the part most NCR homeowners do not realise: between the central subsidy (₹78,000) and the Delhi state top-up (₹30,000), a 3 kW rooftop solar system in Delhi now costs roughly ₹72,000 out-of-pocket. That is one summer's electricity bill — for 25 years of generation.

The scheme has been live since February 2024. The money is real. The portal works. So why are most NCR families still not on solar?

Because the single biggest reason applications get rejected in 2026 is the wrong DISCOM consumer number. UP, Bihar and Rajasthan have all overhauled their billing systems in the last 18 months — old 10-digit account IDs are now 12-digit "Integrated" IDs. Delhi's DISCOMs (BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, TPDDL) use entirely different consumer-account formats. Most people type the wrong number into the portal, get rejected, and assume "the scheme does not work."

This guide walks you through it the way we wish someone had walked us through it: by DISCOM, with the actual subsidy math for Delhi NCR, and the exact mistakes to avoid.


What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

Launched in February 2024, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the Government of India's flagship residential rooftop solar scheme. The target: 1 crore households with rooftop solar by March 2027. The pitch: up to 300 free units of electricity per month for a typical household.

The mechanism is a Central Financial Assistance (CFA) — a direct transfer to your bank account after the system is installed and inspected. It is not a loan. It is a grant.

Central subsidy slabs (FY26, valid as of May 2026):

System sizeCentral subsidy (CFA)
Up to 1 kW₹30,000
Up to 2 kW₹60,000
3 kW and above₹78,000 (capped)

The cap is at 3 kW for residential — the central scheme will not pay more than ₹78,000 even if you install a 5 kW system. But for most NCR 2 BHK and 3 BHK homes, 3 kW is exactly the right size — it covers nearly all daytime AC, fan, fridge and lighting load with surplus to export.


The Delhi state top-up: another ₹30,000

This is where Delhi residents have a real edge. The Delhi government adds an extra ₹30,000 state subsidy for 3 kW residential systems under the Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2024 — taking the city's target to 4.5 GW of solar capacity by March 2027.

Combined picture for a Delhi 3 kW rooftop system:

Cost componentAmount
3 kW rooftop solar (turnkey, NCR pricing)₹1,80,000
Less: PM Surya Ghar central subsidy– ₹78,000
Less: Delhi state subsidy– ₹30,000
Net out-of-pocket₹72,000

For homeowners outside Delhi proper — Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad — the state top-up varies. Haryana and UP both run their own residential schemes but the per-kW amounts and eligibility windows shift; we will get to the DISCOM-wise breakdown below.


Every state agency we have spoken to in 2026 says the same thing. Roughly 30–40% of PM Surya Ghar applications get bounced not because the household is ineligible, but because the DISCOM consumer number entered on the portal does not match the DISCOM database.

The reason: most North Indian DISCOMs have run a billing-system migration in 2024–25. Numbers that worked on your paper bill last year have moved.

What to actually look for, by DISCOM:

BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BSRPL — South & West Delhi)

  • Format on bill: 9-digit "CA No." (Contract Account number), e.g., 151234567
  • Where it sits: Top-right corner of the bill, labelled "CA No." — not "K-Number," not "Account ID"
  • Common mistake: Entering the older BSES "K-Number" (legacy) instead of CA No.

BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL — East & Central Delhi)

  • Format on bill: 9-digit CA No. (same format as BSRPL)
  • Where it sits: Top of the bill, "Customer Account Number"
  • Common mistake: Confusing the meter number (10-digit) with the CA number

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL — North Delhi)

  • Format on bill: 9-digit "Account ID" starting with 6
  • Where it sits: Just under your name, labelled "A/c ID"
  • Common mistake: Using the older 8-digit consumer number from pre-2014 bills

DHBVN — Gurgaon, Faridabad

  • Format on bill: 8-digit "Account No." with new "Connection ID" (12-digit) introduced in 2024
  • Where it sits: Both numbers appear on current bills; portal accepts the 12-digit Connection ID
  • Common mistake: Typing the legacy 8-digit account number — most rejections in Gurgaon come from this

PVVNL — Noida, Greater Noida (residential), Ghaziabad

  • Format on bill: 12-digit Account ID post-2024 reorg (was 10 digits earlier)
  • Where it sits: Top of bill, "Account No." — but verify against UPPCL portal
  • Common mistake: Old 10-digit numbers no longer recognised by PM Surya Ghar portal

NPCL — Greater Noida (Noida Power Company Limited service area)

  • Format on bill: 9-digit consumer number
  • Common mistake: NPCL is a separate licensee from PVVNL — Greater Noida residents under NPCL must select "NPCL" on the portal, not "PVVNL"
The 60-second check: before you start your application, log in to your DISCOM's own portal (bsesdelhi.com, tpddl.com, uhbvn.org.in/dhbvn.org.in, uppcl.org, npclonline.com) and confirm the consumer number printed on your latest bill actually pulls up your account. If it does, that is the number to use on pmsuryaghar.gov.in. If it does not, fix it on the DISCOM portal first, then come back.

Step-by-step: applying for PM Surya Ghar in Delhi NCR

The official portal is pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Bookmark only this URL — there are several lookalike scam sites that charge "registration fees." The genuine application is completely free.

Step 1 — Register on the portal (10 minutes)

  1. Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in → "Apply for Rooftop Solar"
  2. Pick your state (Delhi / Haryana / Uttar Pradesh)
  3. Pick your DISCOM from the dropdown — match it to your bill
  4. Enter your consumer number (verified per the section above)
  5. Verify your mobile via OTP
  6. Set a password

Step 2 — Submit application (15 minutes)

  1. Log in
  2. Click "Apply for Rooftop Solar"
  3. Fill DISCOM consumer details (auto-pulls if your number is correct)
  4. Enter desired system size (most NCR homes: 3 kW)
  5. Upload latest electricity bill (PDF/JPG, < 2 MB)

Step 3 — Wait for feasibility approval (7–30 days)

Your DISCOM inspects the metering setup and confirms feasibility. In Delhi, BSES typically clears within 7–10 days. DHBVN and PVVNL run 2–4 weeks. You will receive an SMS and email when feasibility is approved.

Step 4 — Choose a registered vendor (1–2 days)

Once approved, the portal lets you pick a registered installer in your area. Critical: only vendors registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal can claim the subsidy on your behalf. Verify your installer's listing before signing anything.

Step 5 — Installation (5–10 working days)

The vendor procures, installs and commissions the system. Standard residential rooftop install: 3–5 days of work spread over 1–2 weeks (waiting on net-meter from DISCOM).

Step 6 — Net-metering and inspection (10–20 days)

Your DISCOM installs a bi-directional net meter. An empanelled inspector verifies the install matches the application.

Step 7 — Subsidy disbursement (30–45 days)

Once the inspection report is uploaded to the portal, the central subsidy hits your bank account in 30–45 days. The Delhi state subsidy follows separately, typically 60–90 days after central disbursement.

End-to-end timeline: From application to subsidy in your bank account, plan for 3–4 months in Delhi NCR. The system itself starts generating from week 3 — the subsidy reimbursement is the slow part.


The real cost math, by NCR DISCOM

System pricing for residential rooftop in NCR is fairly uniform across DISCOMs. State subsidies are where the cost-after-subsidy diverges.

3 kW rooftop system, NCR-wide pricing

ComponentPrice
Tier-1 monocrystalline panels (~9 panels)₹85,000
String inverter (3 kW)₹28,000
Mounting structure, cabling, accessories₹32,000
Installation, civil work, labour₹20,000
Net-meter (DISCOM-supplied) and paperwork₹15,000
Turnkey installed cost₹1,80,000

After subsidy, by location

DISCOM areaCentral subsidyState subsidyNet out-of-pocketPayback
Delhi (BSES/TPDDL)₹78,000₹30,000₹72,000~1.4 years
Gurgaon, Faridabad (DHBVN)₹78,000varies (₹0–₹20,000)₹82,000–₹1,02,0002.0–2.4 years
Noida, Ghaziabad (PVVNL)₹78,000varies (₹0–₹15,000)₹87,000–₹1,02,0002.1–2.5 years
Greater Noida (NPCL)₹78,000varies₹87,000–₹1,02,0002.1–2.5 years

For a 3 kW system in Delhi generating ~360 units/month and offsetting bills at ₹9/unit, you save ~₹3,240/month or ~₹39,000/year. At ₹72,000 net cost, that is a ~1.4-year payback. Twenty-three more years of near-free electricity follow.

Bottom line for Delhi residents: at ₹72,000 net for 3 kW, this is the cheapest residential solar in India in 2026. If you have a roof and own it, you are leaving money on the table by waiting.

Eligibility — read this before you apply

You are eligible for PM Surya Ghar if you meet all of the following:

  • You are an Indian citizen
  • You own (or have legally documented use rights to) a residential property with a rooftop suitable for solar
  • The property has a valid electricity connection in your name
  • You have not already claimed CFA subsidy under any earlier rooftop scheme

You are not eligible if:

  • The roof is shared with multiple owners and you cannot get a No-Objection Certificate (NOC)
  • The property is rented and you are not the owner (the owner must apply)
  • The connection is commercial or industrial (separate scheme applies)
  • Your roof is structurally unsound, has < 100 sq ft of unshaded area, or the building has < 30 years of remaining structural life

Apartment dwellers — read carefully. If you live in an independent floor (builder floor) with a private roof and your own electricity connection, you can apply directly. If you live in a multi-storey apartment building, individual flat owners cannot use PM Surya Ghar for the building's common roof — that requires a society-level "common rooftop" application through the RWA. Plug-and-play balcony solar (not eligible for this subsidy) is the practical alternative for most apartment owners. We have written a complete guide for apartment owners on balcony solar in Delhi NCR.


Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

1. Wrong consumer number

Already covered — this is rejection #1. Verify on your DISCOM's own portal first.

2. Picking an unregistered vendor

The subsidy is paid only against installations done by vendors registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal. If a vendor offers you a "discounted package" outside the portal, you forfeit the entire subsidy.

3. Oversizing for the subsidy cap

The central CFA caps at ₹78,000 for 3 kW. Going to 5 kW does not get you ₹130,000 — it gets you the same ₹78,000. If your bill genuinely needs 5 kW, fine — but do the math on the marginal 2 kW yourself, and net-metering rules vary by state for over-3-kW systems.

4. Skipping the DISCOM feasibility step

You cannot start installation until the DISCOM gives feasibility clearance. Vendors who say "we will start install today, paperwork later" are setting you up for a non-claim.

5. Missing the inspection upload

After install, the inspection report must be uploaded to the portal by the vendor. Verify this is done before paying the final installment to your installer — many "subsidy delayed" complaints trace back to a missing upload.

6. Not opening the right bank account

The CFA is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to a bank account linked to your Aadhaar. If your bill is in your name but your Aadhaar links to a different bank account, expect a delay.

7. Falling for "subsidy assured" fraudsters

There is no such thing as "guaranteed subsidy clearance" for a fee. The portal is free. Any "agent" charging you to apply on your behalf is selling you something the government provides at zero cost.


What if you do not have a usable rooftop?

If you live in an apartment, your roof is shared, or the structural assessment fails — PM Surya Ghar will not work for you. But the underlying problem (₹9,000+ summer bills) is solvable through other LivSmart products that do not require subsidy paperwork:

  • Apartments with a balcony → Power Spot balcony solar — plug-and-play, 800 W to 3 kW, installs in 4–6 hours, no DISCOM filing needed
  • AC-heavy households → Solar Hybrid AC — 1.5 T 5-star AC that runs directly on solar DC, no separate inverter required
  • Independent house with metal roof → Solar Roofsheet — solar that is the roof, ideal for re-roofing combined with going solar
  • EV owner with parking space → Power Port — solar carport that charges your EV during the day

None of these require PM Surya Ghar registration. They each pay back through your monthly bill, not through a government grant.


Frequently asked questions

Is PM Surya Ghar still active in May 2026?

Yes. The scheme is funded through FY26 and the Union Budget 2025–26 reaffirmed the 1-crore-household target by March 2027. Subsidy slabs have not changed since launch.

Can I apply if I already have solar installed?

No. PM Surya Ghar is for new installations. Existing rooftop solar — including systems installed under earlier MNRE schemes — is not eligible.

Does the ₹78,000 + ₹30,000 work for any size system in Delhi?

The state ₹30,000 in Delhi applies to systems of 3 kW or higher. For 1 kW you get the central ₹30,000 only; for 2 kW the central ₹60,000. To unlock the full ₹1.08 lakh stack, install at least 3 kW.

How do I verify my BSES / TPDDL / DHBVN consumer number is correct?

Log in to your DISCOM's own portal first (bsesdelhi.com for BSES, tpddl.com for TPDDL, dhbvn.org.in for DHBVN). If your number pulls up your account there, it will work on PM Surya Ghar.

Can renters apply?

No. Only the property owner can apply. If you are renting, you can encourage your landlord to apply, but the subsidy goes to whoever owns the connection.

What is the difference between PM Surya Ghar and earlier rooftop solar schemes?

PM Surya Ghar consolidates and replaces several earlier MNRE schemes for residential rooftop solar. The CFA amounts are higher than under older schemes, the portal is unified across all DISCOMs, and the application is fully online.

I live in a multi-storey apartment — can my RWA apply for the building's common roof?

Yes, but it goes through a separate "Group Housing / Resident Welfare Association" application track on the same portal. The subsidy structure is different (lower per-kW for common-area capacity), and the system must be metered on the common services connection. Your individual flat cannot apply for the building's roof.

Is there a deadline to apply?

The scheme runs at least through March 2027 (the 1-crore-household target). However, state-level top-ups (like Delhi's ₹30,000) have annual budget allocations and can run out before the financial year ends. Apply early in the financial year (April–September) to be safe.

How long does the system itself last?

Tier-1 monocrystalline panels carry 25-year linear performance warranties. The inverter typically needs replacement at year 10–12 (~₹25,000). Mounting structures last 30+ years. Net realisable life of the install: 25–30 years.


The bottom line

For a Delhi homeowner with a rooftop and a 3 kW load, the math in May 2026 is unambiguous:

  • Without PM Surya Ghar: ₹1,80,000 upfront, 3.5–4-year payback
  • With PM Surya Ghar (Delhi): ₹72,000 upfront, ~1.4-year payback, 23+ years of near-free electricity

The blocker is not the scheme. It is not the price of panels. It is taking 90 minutes to register correctly on pmsuryaghar.gov.in with the right DISCOM consumer number.

If you want help sizing the right system for your roof, picking a registered vendor, or just verifying your BSES / TPDDL / DHBVN / PVVNL / NPCL consumer number before you apply — book a free 15-minute Delhi NCR rooftop assessment. We will pull your last 3 bills, size a 3 kW system specifically for your roof, and walk you through the portal screens. No registration fee. No "agent" middlemen. The subsidy goes directly from the Government of India to your bank account, exactly the way it is supposed to.

From LivSmart Solar

Going solar at home?

Whether you rent, own, or live in an apartment, LivSmart has a residential solar fit — Power Spot for balconies, Roofsheet for houses.

PM Surya Ghar Delhi NCR 2026rooftop solar subsidy Delhi 2026Muft Bijli Yojana Delhi1.08 lakh solar subsidy DelhiBSES rooftop solar subsidyTPDDL solar net meteringDHBVN rooftop solar GurgaonPVVNL solar subsidy Noida GhaziabadNPCL Greater Noida solarrooftop solar Delhi NCR price 2026DISCOM consumer number subsidyPM Surya Ghar 3 kW Delhi costsolar subsidy application step by steprooftop solar payback Delhi 2026
Share:

Stay updated with solar energy insights

Get the latest guides, tips, and news on solar energy delivered straight to your inbox.