PM Surya Ghar Yojana Guidelines – Simplified for You: All You Need to Know

India is moving fast toward clean and affordable energy for every home. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by the Government of India in February 2024, is a major step in that direction. With an outlay of ₹ 75,021 crore, this ambitious rooftop solar programme aims to empower 1 crore households to produce their own electricity and get up to 300 units of free energy every month.

 

This blog breaks down the official guidelines into simple language so every homeowner can understand the benefits, process, and eligibility.

1. What Is PM Surya Ghar Yojana?

The scheme helps residential consumers install grid-connected rooftop solar systems and get a Central Financial Assistance (CFA)—that’s a government subsidy—to reduce installation costs.

It is implemented nationwide through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal, which handles everything from application to subsidy release.

2. Scheme Objectives

According to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), the main goals are:

• Install 1 crore rooftop systems by 2027.
• Provide up to 300 units of free electricity per month to each beneficiary.
• Generate 1,000 billion units of green power, cutting 720 million tons of CO₂ emissions over 25 years.
• Boost local jobs, manufacturing, and the clean-energy ecosystem.

3. Subsidy (CFA) Structure – How Much Will You Get?

The subsidy depends on your solar-plant size and location.

System Size	CFA (General States)	CFA (Special Category States / UTs*)
Up to 2 kWp	₹ 30,000 / kW	₹ 33,000 / kW
Next 1 kWp (2 – 3 kW range)	₹ 18,000 / kW	₹ 19,800 / kW
Beyond 3 kW	No subsidy	No subsidy

*Special category = J&K, Ladakh, NE States incl. Sikkim, HP, Uttarakhand, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep.

Examples:

• 1.5 kW system → ₹ 45,000 subsidy.
• 6 kW system → ₹ 78,000 (subsidy capped at 3 kW).
• 2.5 kW system → ₹ 69,000 subsidy.

Group Housing Societies / RWAs can also get ₹ 18,000 per kW (up to 500 kW, or 3 kW per household).

Some States may offer additional subsidies, integrated via the National Portal.

4. Who Can Apply?

• Any residential consumer with a valid electricity connection.
• Installations must be on a roof, terrace, balcony, or elevated structure.
• Only domestic, DCR-compliant modules (made in India from Indian solar cells) qualify for subsidy.
• Systems installed under Capex mode (i.e. you own the system yourself).
• Commercial, industrial, and government buildings are not eligible.

5. Step-by-Step Application Process

Here’s how you can apply easily on the PM Surya Ghar National Portal:

1. Register/Login → Go to the portal → “Apply for Solar Rooftop.”
2. Redeem Subsidy Online → Once approved, subsidy (CFA) is credited to your bank account.
3. Fill Consumer Profile → Enter your consumer number and details (auto-fetched from DISCOM database).
4. Choose Vendor → Select from the list of registered vendors based on ratings and installations.
5. System Design & Quotation → Finalize capacity and price with vendor.
6. Installation & Inspection → Vendor installs the system; DISCOM inspects and approves it.
7. Net Meter Connection → Your system is connected to the grid.

You can track every step through your consumer dashboard and receive SMS / email updates.

6. System Requirements & Technical Specs

A typical grid-connected system includes:

• Solar PV Modules: Convert sunlight to DC power.
• Inverter: Converts DC to AC and syncs with grid.
• Mounting Structure, Junction Boxes, Cables, Meters, Earthing System, etc.

Approximate space needed: 10 m² per kW of shadow-free roof.
Expected generation: 4–5 units/day per kW, depending on sunlight and location.

7. Metering & Bill Savings

• Net Metering: Tracks energy import & export; you pay only for net units used.
• Net Billing: DISCOM pays for excess power each month; no carry-forward credit.
• Gross Metering: You sell all solar energy to the grid at a fixed tariff.

Even though you may still pay a small fixed charge, your electricity bills can drop to zero in many cases.

8. Quality & Vendor Responsibilities

All registered vendors must:

• Offer a 5-year comprehensive maintenance contract (CMC).
• Ensure performance ratio ≥ 75 % at commissioning.
• Use BIS-/ IEC-certified equipment meeting MNRE standards.

Consumers can rate vendors and raise grievances via the National Portal.

9. Financing Options

You may apply for low-interest loans (around Repo Rate + 0.5 %) through the Jan Samarth Portal linked to the National Portal. Loans up to 3 kW are eligible for special terms. You can also use your own funds if preferred.

10. Expected Benefits

• Free power up to 300 units/month (saving ₹ 1,500 – 2,000 per month typ.).
• Payback period: 4 – 5 years; system life ≈ 25 years.
• Boost to Make in India & local jobs.
• Cleaner air and lower carbon footprint.

11. Common FAQs

• Can I install solar on a rented house? Yes, if you have a valid electricity connection and the owner’s permission.
• Can I shift the system later? Relocated systems won’t get subsidy again.
• What if I don’t want the subsidy? You can choose “Give It Up” and install without it.
• Will my system work at night? No—solar works in daylight, but you still get power from the grid at night.

12. How to Check Eligibility and Start

Visit the National Portal, use the Rooftop Calculator to estimate your capacity, cost, and savings, apply online, and select a vendor.

13. Final Thoughts

The PM Surya Ghar Yojana is more than a subsidy scheme—it’s a movement toward self-reliance and sustainability. By turning your roof into a mini-power plant, you not only save on bills but also contribute to India’s goal of 30 GW rooftop solar capacity by 2027.

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