Solar Subsidy in India: Complete 2026 Guide
Everything Indian homeowners need to know about the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — subsidy slabs, eligibility, documents, and how the money actually reaches your bank account.
A solar subsidy is a direct financial incentive from the government that reduces the net cost of installing a solar system on your home. In India, the headline scheme for residential rooftops is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by the central government in February 2024. Some states add their own top-up on top of it, and a handful of DISCOMs run narrower incentives of their own.
This page is a plain-language reference to how the scheme works, who is eligible, the documents you need, and realistic timelines for getting the money into your bank account. It focuses on India broadly, with notes for Delhi NCR where the rules or DISCOM behaviour differ in practice.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Active since February 2024, this is the nationwide subsidy for residential rooftop solar. Payouts are tied to system capacity and capped at ₹78,000. You apply through the National Portal (nationalportal.pmsuryaghar.gov.in) and the scheme is operated through DISCOMs registered on that portal. The subsidy is disbursed directly to your bank account after commissioning.
Smaller homes, supplementary loads
Most 1–2 BHK households
3 BHK and larger homes (cap at 3 kW)
Eligibility: residential rooftop systems connected to a DISCOM registered on the national PM Surya Ghar portal. The ₹78,000 cap applies even if your system is larger than 3 kW — this is a fixed ceiling, not a per-kW rate.
Balcony solar: an honest caveat
PM Surya Ghar subsidies are written around rooftop installations. In practice, balcony-mounted claims have been inconsistent across DISCOMs, and you should not plan a purchase assuming the subsidy will land.
- BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna (Delhi) have processed some balcony claims on a case-by-case basis.
- DHBVN (Gurgaon, Faridabad) and PVVNL (Noida, Ghaziabad) have been slower and more conservative on balcony-only setups.
If a rooftop is not available to you, get a written feasibility view from your DISCOM before you commit to a balcony system with subsidy assumptions priced in.
What changes by state (Delhi NCR)
Delhi
Delhi has historically run its own rooftop solar incentives on top of the central scheme. Policy details have shifted more than once — a state-level top-up may apply at the time you apply, but verify the current notification with your DISCOM (BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, or Tata Power-DDL) before budgeting for it.
Haryana
Gurgaon, Faridabad, and the rest of Haryana primarily rely on the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy. There is no separate headline state top-up for residential rooftops as of this writing — plan your numbers around the central slab.
Uttar Pradesh
Noida, Ghaziabad, and the rest of UP also primarily rely on the central scheme, with PVVNL as the DISCOM for most of western UP. Confirm the exact current incentive with your DISCOM office before applying.
Eligibility and documents
The base eligibility is simple: you need to be a residential electricity consumer with the right to install a system on the property, and the DISCOM has to be registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal. Keep the following ready before you start the application — a complete packet moves far faster through DISCOM review.
- PAN card (applicant)
- Aadhaar card (applicant)
- Most recent electricity bill (matching consumer number)
- Roof or balcony photos — showing the intended installation area
- Proof of ownership or no-objection letter where applicable
- Installer / vendor credentials for the DISCOM empanelment check
How to apply: step by step
The full journey from application to money-in-bank takes a few weeks to a few months — most of which is DISCOM review and post-install inspection rather than the portal form itself.
Register on the PM Surya Ghar portal
Create an account on the National Portal (nationalportal.pmsuryaghar.gov.in). You will need a working mobile number, email, and your state + DISCOM selection.
Link your DISCOM consumer number
Enter your electricity consumer number exactly as it appears on your bill. The portal validates it against the DISCOM record before proceeding.
Submit your rooftop subsidy application
Fill in proposed system capacity (kW), ownership details, and upload the supporting documents. Your DISCOM vets the application online.
Install via an empanelled vendor
After technical feasibility approval, get the system installed by a vendor empanelled with your DISCOM. Keep invoices and equipment serial numbers on file.
Inspection and commissioning
The DISCOM conducts a site inspection, approves net meter installation, and issues a commissioning certificate once the system is energised.
Subsidy credited to your bank account
After commissioning, the central subsidy is disbursed directly to your registered bank account. Typical window is 30–90 days post-commissioning.
Realistic timelines
After your system is commissioned and the net meter is in, the central subsidy typically lands in your bank account within 30 to 90 days. The exact window depends on DISCOM processing load and whether your documentation matched cleanly on the first submission. If you go past 90 days without an update, raise a grievance on the PM Surya Ghar portal referencing your application ID.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for solar subsidy in India?
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is aimed at residential electricity consumers with a valid DISCOM connection and the right to install a rooftop system on the property (owner, or tenant with a no-objection certificate from the owner and DISCOM approval). The applicant and the electricity connection must be in the same name wherever possible.
Can I get subsidy for balcony solar?
PM Surya Ghar is primarily designed for rooftop systems. Outcomes for balcony-mounted installations have been inconsistent — BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna (Delhi) have processed some balcony claims, while DHBVN in Gurgaon/Faridabad and PVVNL in Noida/Ghaziabad have been slower to approve them. If a rooftop surface is not available, confirm with your DISCOM in writing before you place an order.
How much subsidy do I get for a 3 kW system?
The central subsidy is ₹78,000 for a system of 3 kW or more. This is a flat cap — larger systems (e.g. 5 kW or 10 kW) are still eligible for a maximum of ₹78,000 under the scheme. Some states may add a top-up on top of this; check your state’s current policy with the DISCOM.
Is the subsidy paid upfront or after commissioning?
The subsidy is disbursed after commissioning. You (or your financing partner) pay the full system cost to the installer at the time of installation. Once the DISCOM issues the commissioning certificate and net meter is installed, the central subsidy is credited directly to your registered bank account — typically within 30 to 90 days.
What if my DISCOM rejects my application?
Rejections usually cite technical feasibility (roof space, load, structural concerns), documentation mismatch, or the vendor not being empanelled. You can correct and resubmit via the portal. For persistent issues, escalate through the DISCOM’s subsidy grievance channel and keep the portal ticket ID for reference. LivSmart Solar can help you pre-check feasibility before you apply.
Is tenant-installed solar eligible?
Tenants can apply, but it requires a no-objection certificate from the property owner and, in most cases, the electricity connection needs to be reassigned or jointly registered for the subsidy to flow to the right account. Practical approval rates for tenants are lower than owners — have this conversation with your landlord before applying.
Need help claiming the subsidy?
LivSmart Solar operates across Delhi NCR and can walk you through feasibility, documentation, and DISCOM coordination so your application does not stall. Free consultation, no pressure.