- ₹78KMost subsidy for a home₹85.8K in special category states
- 3 kWSubsidy stops at
- 300 unitsFree power a month (aim)
- 1 croreHomes to be covered
What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The Union Cabinet approved it on 29 February 2024, with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore. It helps homes put solar panels on the roof, so they can make their own electricity.
The government pays a part of the cost as a subsidy, called Central Financial Assistance (CFA). The aim is to cover 1 crore homes and give each up to 300 units of free electricity a month. The scheme runs up to March 2027.
- Step 1Apply on the portalRegister on pmsuryaghar.gov.in and pick a registered vendor.
- Step 2Fit solar on your roofPay the vendor. The DISCOM fits a net meter and inspects it.
- Step 3Get the subsidyUp to ₹78,000 comes into your bank account.
Example: Sunita, Jaipur. She fits a 3 kW system for about ₹1,80,000, at ₹60,000 per kW. It makes about 360 units a month. At ₹7 a unit, her bill falls by about ₹2,520 a month.
- Central subsidy
- ₹78,000
- Her net cost
- ₹1,02,000
- Payback
- About 3.4 years
The cost per kW and the tariff here are estimates. Prices differ by vendor and state.
PM Surya Ghar subsidy 2026: amount for 1 kW, 2 kW and 3 kW
The subsidy depends on the size of the system, in kilowatts (kW). It is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW, and ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW. There is no subsidy above 3 kW. Special category states get about 10% more.
| System size | General category | Special category | Units a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 | ₹33,000 | About 120 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 | ₹66,000 | About 240 |
| 3 kW | ₹78,000 | ₹85,800 | About 360 |
| 4 kW | ₹78,000 | ₹85,800 | About 480 |
| 5 kW | ₹78,000 | ₹85,800 | About 600 |
Special category states and UTs: the North Eastern states, including Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.
Which size do you need? The portal suggests a size by the units you use in a month:
| Units you use a month | Suitable size | Subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 150 units | 1 to 2 kW | ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 |
| 150 to 300 units | 2 to 3 kW | ₹60,000 to ₹78,000 |
| Above 300 units | Above 3 kW | ₹78,000 |
RWA and group housing societies: a society can fit solar for common use such as lifts, water pumps and lights. The subsidy is ₹18,000 per kW, for up to 3 kW per home and 500 kW in all. For a society of 50 homes, that is up to ₹27,00,000.
Work out the subsidy and payback for your size on the PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculator.
PM Surya Ghar eligibility: who can apply?
- Yes: An Indian household with its own house
- Yes: A roof fit for solar panels (about 10 square metres of shade-free space per kW)
- Yes: A valid electricity connection in the household's name
- Yes: An RWA or group housing society, for common facilities
- No: A household that has already taken a subsidy for solar panels
- No: Shops, offices and factories (the scheme is for homes)
- No: A tenant, without the owner's roof (ask your DISCOM)
The subsidy is for a system you buy and own. Panels must be made in India with Indian-made cells, and the vendor must be registered on the portal.
How to apply for PM Surya Ghar on pmsuryaghar.gov.in
- Step 11. RegisterOn pmsuryaghar.gov.in, choose your state and electricity company, and enter your consumer number, mobile and email.
- Step 22. ApplyLog in with your consumer number and mobile, and fill the rooftop solar form.
- Step 33. DISCOM feasibilityYour electricity company checks and approves the application.
- Step 44. Install by a registered vendorPick a vendor from the portal, agree the price, and get the system fitted.
- Step 55. Net meterSubmit the plant details on the portal and apply for a net meter.
- Step 66. InspectionThe DISCOM fits the net meter, inspects the system and issues a commissioning report.
- Step 77. Bank detailsEnter your bank account and upload a cancelled cheque on the portal.
- Step 88. Subsidy creditedThe subsidy comes into your bank account, usually within about 30 days.
You can also apply through the PM Surya Ghar mobile app. Track every step of your application on the portal.
Documents to keep ready:
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Latest electricity bill | For the consumer number and the connection details |
| Aadhaar | To confirm who you are; Aadhaar check is a must for the subsidy |
| Mobile number and email | To register and get updates |
| Bank account details and a cancelled cheque or passbook | The subsidy is paid into this account |
| Proof of ownership of the house or roof, if asked | The roof must be yours to use |
| Photo of the installed system, with the vendor's details | Uploaded on the portal after installation |
Net metering in PM Surya Ghar, explained simply
A net meter is a two-way meter. It counts the units you take from the grid and the units your panels send to the grid. Your bill is for the difference. The DISCOM fits it after installation, and the subsidy is paid only after it is fitted.
- Step 1DayPanels make power. Your home uses it first.
- Step 2Extra unitsWhat you do not use goes to the grid and is counted.
- Step 3NightYou take power from the grid as usual.
Example: Sunita's month. Her 3 kW system makes 360 units. Her home uses 300 units. If 300 units are set off against her bill, she pays only for any extra units she takes, plus fixed charges.
- Units made
- 360
- Units used
- 300
- Extra units
- 60
What you get for extra units, and how long credit carries over, is set by your state electricity regulator. Fixed charges on the bill usually remain.
PM Surya Ghar loan: collateral-free bank loans
- Public sector banks give loans for home systems up to 3 kW without any collateral (no property or security is pledged).
- The rate is around 7% a year, linked to the RBI repo rate. It changes when the repo rate changes.
- The bank decides the loan amount, the margin you pay yourself and the term. Reports put the amount at up to about ₹2 L.
- You can choose a loan while applying on the portal (through the Jan Samarth portal), or go to a bank directly.
- The subsidy is paid to you, so it can be used to repay part of the loan.
See the EMI for your loan on the EMI calculator.
Model solar village and other parts of the scheme
- Step 1Model solar villageOne village in each district is chosen to run mostly on solar. Central help is ₹1 Cr for each selected village.
- Step 2Help to states and DISCOMsIncentives to DISCOMs for net meters and to state agencies for running the scheme.
- Step 3Utility-led modelsSome states fit solar for homes through the DISCOM or a public company, in place of the home buying it.
PM Surya Ghar: strengths and limits
- Yes: Subsidy of up to ₹78,000, paid by the Government of India
- Yes: Lower electricity bills for about 25 years
- Yes: Apply online, with registered vendors and tracking
- Yes: Collateral-free bank loans for small systems
- No: You pay the full cost first; the subsidy comes later
- No: No subsidy above 3 kW
- No: Needs your own shade-free roof
- No: Saving depends on your tariff and state net metering rules
Rooftop solar with and without PM Surya Ghar subsidy
A 3 kW home system at ₹60,000 per kW and ₹7 a unit, using all its units at home.
| With subsidy | Without subsidy | |
|---|---|---|
| System cost | ₹1,80,000 | ₹1,80,000 |
| Central subsidy | ₹78,000 | ₹0 |
| You pay | ₹1,02,000 | ₹1,80,000 |
| Bill saving a year | ₹30,240 | ₹30,240 |
| Payback | 3.4 years | 6.0 years |
| Gain in 25 years | ₹6,54,000 | ₹5,76,000 |
A 2 kW system gets ₹60,000 and has a net cost of ₹60,000. In a special category state, the 3 kW net cost falls to ₹94,200. State subsidies, where they exist, are on top and are not shown here.
Frequently asked questions
What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
It is a Government of India scheme that gives a subsidy to homes for rooftop solar panels. The subsidy is up to ₹78,000 for a home. The aim is to help 1 crore homes get up to 300 units of electricity a month from their own roof.
Is PM Surya Ghar really free electricity?
Not fully. The government does not pay your electricity bill. It gives a subsidy on the solar system, and you pay the rest of its cost. After that, the units your panels make are free. A 3 kW system makes about 360 units a month, so a home that uses less than that may have a very small bill.
How much subsidy will I get for a 3 kW system?
₹78,000 in a general category state: ₹30,000 for each of the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW. In a special category state, it is ₹85,800.
How much subsidy for 1 kW and 2 kW solar?
₹30,000 for 1 kW and ₹60,000 for 2 kW in general category states. In special category states, ₹33,000 and ₹66,000.
Is there a subsidy above 3 kW?
You can fit a bigger system, but the subsidy stays at ₹78,000. The part above 3 kW gets no central subsidy.
Can tenants apply for PM Surya Ghar?
The scheme is for a household with its own roof and its own electricity connection. A tenant usually cannot apply alone, because the roof belongs to the owner. If the connection is in the tenant's name, the owner's written consent may help, but the DISCOM decides. Ask your DISCOM before you apply.
Who is eligible for PM Surya Ghar?
An Indian household that owns a house with a roof fit for solar, has a valid electricity connection, and has not taken any other subsidy for solar panels.
How do I apply for PM Surya Ghar?
Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your state, electricity company and consumer number. Apply, get the DISCOM's approval, have a registered vendor fit the system, apply for a net meter, and after the inspection give your bank details. The subsidy is then paid into your account.
How long does the subsidy take to come?
The portal says it is paid within about 30 days of the commissioning report, which the DISCOM issues after the inspection. Delays can happen, so keep checking your application status on the portal.
Can I get a loan for rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar?
Yes. Public sector banks give collateral-free loans for home systems up to 3 kW, at around 7% a year, linked to the RBI repo rate. You can apply through the portal. The bank decides the amount and terms.
What is net metering?
A net meter counts the units you take from the grid and the units your panels send to the grid. You pay only for the difference. It is fitted by your DISCOM and is a must for the subsidy.
Which states get a higher subsidy?
the North Eastern states, including Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep. They get ₹33,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹19,800 for the 3rd kW.