PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme: Apply for Rooftop Solar Subsidy

What is PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme?

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a central government scheme launched in February 2024 to promote rooftop solar installations on residential houses across India. The scheme provides heavy subsidies to make rooftop solar affordable for households, enabling them to generate their own electricity and reduce bills.

Key highlights:

• Up to 300 units of free electricity per month from solar power
• Central subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for rooftop solar installation
• Target: 1 crore households across India
• Total government outlay: ₹75,021 crore
• Available for all residential electricity consumers

Subsidy Structure

Note: Subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 regardless of system size above 3 kW. For systems between 1-3 kW, subsidy is ₹30,000 per kW for first 2 kW and ₹18,000 per kW for next 1 kW.

Cost Estimate After Subsidy

Who is Eligible?

• Any residential electricity consumer in India
• Must have an active electricity connection in their name
• Must own the roof / have consent for rooftop installation
• Group housing societies can also apply (individual meters)
• Only one application per electricity connection
• Property should have adequate roof space (approximately 10 sq. m per kW)

Who is NOT Eligible?

• Commercial or industrial electricity consumers
• Households already receiving rooftop solar subsidy under previous schemes
• Rented premises (unless landlord applies with electricity connection in their name)

How to Apply Online — Step by Step

Step 1: Register on PM Surya Ghar Portal

1. Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in
2. Click "Apply for Rooftop Solar"
3. Select your state and electricity distribution company (DISCOM)
4. Enter your electricity consumer number (from electricity bill)
5. Enter mobile number and email
6. Verify via OTP
7. Create your login account

Step 2: Submit Application

1. Login to the portal
2. Upload electricity bill (recent, within 3 months)
3. Enter rooftop details: available area, type of roof
4. Select desired solar system capacity (1 kW / 2 kW / 3 kW+)
5. Upload Aadhaar card for identity verification
6. Upload bank account details (for subsidy credit)
   • Account must be linked to Aadhaar (for DBT)
   • Cancelled cheque or passbook front page
7. Submit application

Step 3: DISCOM Approval

• Your DISCOM reviews the application
• Technical feasibility check conducted
• Approval granted within 15-30 days
• You receive SMS/email notification

Step 4: Choose Vendor & Install

1. After DISCOM approval, select an empanelled vendor from the portal
2. Vendor conducts site survey
3. Agree on system size, make, and installation plan
4. Do NOT pay full amount upfront — pay as per milestone schedule
5. Installation completed in 1-3 days typically
6. Vendor configures net metering setup

Step 5: Net Meter Installation

1. Apply for net meter on the portal after solar installation
2. DISCOM installs bidirectional net meter within 15-30 days
3. Net meter records both import and export of electricity

Step 6: Commissioning & Subsidy

1. After net meter installation, submit commissioning report on portal
2. Upload photos of installed solar panels and net meter
3. DISCOM verifies and approves commissioning
4. Subsidy credited directly to your bank account via DBT within 30 days

Documents Required

1. Electricity bill (recent, showing consumer number and connection details)
2. Aadhaar card of the applicant
3. Bank account details (Aadhaar-linked, for subsidy DBT)
4. Cancelled cheque or bank passbook front page
5. Passport-size photograph
6. Roof ownership proof (property tax receipt or property documents)
7. Aadhaar-linked mobile number (for OTP verification)

Loan Facility

Banks offer collateral-free loans for rooftop solar under this scheme:

• Loan available for the amount after subsidy
• Interest rates: 7-10% per annum
• Tenure: 5-10 years
• EMI roughly equals monthly electricity bill savings
• SBI, PNB, BoB, and other nationalized banks participate
• Apply through the PM Surya Ghar portal itself

How Net Metering Works

1. Solar panels generate electricity during daytime
2. Electricity used directly by your home appliances
3. Excess electricity is exported to the grid (meter runs backward)
4. At night, you draw electricity from the grid normally
5. Monthly bill = Units consumed from grid − Units exported to grid
6. If you export more than you consume, you get credit (carried forward)

With a 3 kW system, a typical household can generate 360-450 units/month — enough to offset an entire ₹2,000-3,000 monthly bill.

Timeline

Important Tips

1. Choose only empanelled vendors listed on the PM Surya Ghar portal — avoid unauthorized installers
2. Don't pay full amount upfront to vendors — follow the milestone payment schedule
3. Ensure Aadhaar is linked to bank account before applying — subsidy is via DBT only
4. 3 kW system is optimal for most households — maximizes subsidy benefit (₹78,000)
5. Check your roof — south-facing, shadow-free roof area of ~30 sq. m needed for 3 kW system

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is PM Surya Ghar scheme really free?

The scheme provides subsidy up to ₹78,000, not the full cost. For a 3 kW system costing ~₹1.8-2.1 lakhs, you pay ₹1-1.3 lakhs after subsidy. However, electricity savings can recover this cost in 4-5 years.

Q2. How much electricity will I save?

A 3 kW system generates 360-450 units/month. If your current bill is 300+ units, your bill can drop to near zero. The "300 units free" claim means the solar panels generate enough for 300 units at no ongoing fuel cost.

Q3. What if I live in a rented house?

Only the electricity connection holder can apply. If you're a tenant, the landlord must apply. The subsidy goes to the connection holder's bank account.

Q4. Can housing societies apply?

Yes. Individual flat owners in housing societies can apply separately using their individual electricity meters. The society can also apply for common area solar systems.

Q5. What maintenance is needed for solar panels?

Minimal. Clean panels with water every 2-4 weeks. No moving parts. Panels last 25+ years. Inverter may need replacement after 10-15 years. Most vendors offer 5-year comprehensive warranty.

Q6. What happens on cloudy or rainy days?

Solar generation reduces on cloudy days (by 50-70%). You automatically draw from the grid. Net metering ensures you use grid credits earned on sunny days. Annual output averages account for weather variations.

Q7. Can I sell excess electricity?

Under net metering, excess units are credited and carried forward (typically for 1 year). Policies vary by state — some states pay for excess at a fixed rate, others only offer credit adjustment. Check your DISCOM's policy.

This guide is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy or any government department. Subsidy amounts and processes may change — always verify on pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Last verified: March 2026.