PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana 2026: ₹78,000 Rooftop Solar Subsidy, Net-Metering & Online Application Guide
By Shivam Tiwari, Founder of FormSutra · Updated: October 2026 · 8 min read
Complete statutory and procedural walkthrough for applying on pmsuryaghar.gov.in. DISCOM technical feasibility, vendor empanelment, DBT subsidy calculation, and 300 units free solar electricity.
Launched by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana provides up to ₹78,000 direct central financial assistance (DBT) for residential rooftop solar installations. Under this scheme, 1 crore Indian households can generate up to 300 units of free clean electricity every month, feed surplus power back to the grid via bi-directional net meters, and eliminate recurring power bills.
Quick facts
| Maximum Central Subsidy | ₹78,000 for 3 kW+ Systems (₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW) |
|---|---|
| Target Free Units | Up to 300 units per month per household |
| Governing Ministry | Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India |
| Official National Portal | pmsuryaghar.gov.in |
| Concessional Bank Loan | Collateral-free loans at ~7% interest via SBI, PNB, Canara Bank |
Step-by-step process
Register on National Portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in)
Visit the national portal pmsuryaghar.gov.in or the PM Surya Ghar mobile app. Select your State, your local Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOM), and enter your Consumer Account Number (CA / Connection ID) exactly as printed on your latest power bill. Verify via OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Submit Rooftop Solar Application & DISCOM Technical Feasibility
Fill the online application specifying your rooftop shadow-free area (approx. 100 sq. ft. per 1 kW), desired solar plant capacity, and sanctioned load. Your local DISCOM examines transformer capacity and network feasibility. As per national regulations, DISCOMs must issue technical feasibility approval within 15 working days.
Select MNRE Empanelled Vendor & Sign Tripartite Agreement
Once feasibility is approved, choose an authorized, empanelled vendor registered on the national portal. Sign the formal installation agreement. Ensure the vendor supplies ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) compliant DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) solar modules and BIS-certified grid-tied inverters.
Plant Installation, Net-Meter Application & DISCOM Inspection
The vendor installs the rooftop solar plant, mounts sturdy galvanized iron (GI) mounting structures, and completes safety earthing. Submit the Work Completion Report on the portal. The DISCOM inspection team visits your premises to test islanding protection and installs a bi-directional net-meter to track import and export of units.
Commissioning Certificate & Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Subsidy Credit
The DISCOM uploads the Commissioning Report and energisation certificate on the national portal. Submit your bank account details and upload a cancelled cheque. The MNRE releases the central subsidy directly into your bank account within 30 days via DBT.
Documents checklist (आवश्यक दस्तावेज)
- Latest Electricity Bill (showing Consumer Account / CA Number & Sanctioned Load)
- Aadhaar Card of the electricity connection holder
- Proof of Roof Ownership / House Registry / Municipal Property Tax Receipt
- Clear Photograph of the shadow-free rooftop terrace
- Cancelled Cheque or Bank Passbook front page (Aadhaar-seeded bank account for DBT subsidy)
- Mobile Number and Active Email linked with Aadhaar
- Empanelled Vendor Agreement & Quotation (post-feasibility)
Stamp paper rules
To claim the government subsidy, it is legally mandatory to use solar modules manufactured in India meeting Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) and listed in MNRE's ALMM order. Off-grid solar systems with standalone batteries are NOT eligible for the central subsidy under PM Surya Ghar; only grid-connected on-grid or hybrid systems with approved net-meters qualify.
Official portals
- PM Surya Ghar National Portal
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- National Portal for Rooftop Solar
- FormSutra Citizen Utilities Cell
Common mistakes to avoid
- Name Mismatch on Power Bill vs Bank Account: If the name on the electricity connection does not match the bank account holder, the DBT subsidy will fail. Get an electricity bill name change before applying.
- Hiring Non-Empanelled Local Contractors: Installing panels from unauthorized vendors outside the national portal disqualifies you from claiming the ₹78,000 subsidy.
- Applying for Higher Capacity than Sanctioned Load: If your sanctioned load is 2 kW and you install a 3 kW system, the DISCOM will reject net-metering until you apply and pay for load enhancement first.
- Using Non-DCR / Imported Solar Cells: Panels containing imported cells cannot receive MNRE financial assistance. Always verify the manufacturer's DCR certificate.
- Neglecting Structure Earthing & Lightning Arrester: DISCOM inspectors fail installations that lack dedicated dual earthing pits and class-A surge protection.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does it take to receive the ₹78,000 subsidy in my bank account?
Once the DISCOM inspects the rooftop installation, commissions the bi-directional net-meter, and uploads the Commissioning Certificate to pmsuryaghar.gov.in, the central subsidy is directly credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT within 30 days.
Can tenants or rented property occupants apply for PM Surya Ghar?
No. The scheme requires valid roof rights and the electricity connection must be in the applicant's or immediate landlord's name. Tenants can only benefit if the property owner formally applies for the installation.
Is bank loan finance available for the remaining cost?
Yes. The Government of India has partnered with major public sector banks (SBI, Canara Bank, PNB, Bank of Baroda) to provide collateral-free loans up to ₹2 Lakhs for 3 kW systems at concessional interest rates around 7% per annum.
How does net-metering reduce my electricity bill to zero?
A bi-directional net-meter records power drawn from the grid (Import) and solar energy sent to the grid (Export). You are billed only on Net Units (Import minus Export). If you generate more than you consume, the surplus units are carried forward or credited in your account as per DISCOM state tariff regulations.