PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the central government's flagship scheme to put free solar panels on the roofs of one crore Indian households. If your monthly electricity bill keeps climbing, this scheme lets you generate your own power, sell the extra back to the grid, and receive a direct subsidy of up to ₹78,000 in your bank account. This guide explains exactly how to apply, what documents you need, and how the subsidy is paid out.
What is PM Surya Ghar Yojana?
Launched in February 2024 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the scheme provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) — a direct subsidy — to households that install rooftop solar systems. The goal is to give at least 300 units of free electricity every month to one crore families while reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuel power. The subsidy is credited straight to your bank account after installation and inspection — there is no need to visit any government office.
Subsidy Amount by System Size
| 1 kW system | ₹30,000 subsidy |
| 2 kW system | ₹60,000 subsidy |
| 3 kW or higher | ₹78,000 subsidy (maximum, capped here) |
| Typical cost for 3 kW system | ₹1.4 lakh – ₹1.6 lakh before subsidy |
| Free monthly units covered (avg. household) | Up to 300 units/month |
Beyond the direct subsidy, households can also take a collateral-free bank loan for the remaining cost at a low interest rate (around 7% per annum for systems up to 3 kW) through the National Portal's empanelled lender list — you don't need to arrange financing on your own.
Who Is Eligible
- ●Must be an Indian citizen and the registered owner (or joint owner) of the house
- ●House must have a suitable, shadow-free roof and an existing electricity connection
- ●Household must not have already availed a rooftop solar subsidy under any other central or state scheme for the same connection
- ●A valid electricity consumer number linked to the applicant's name is required
- ●Applicable for residential rooftops — rented tenants must apply through the property owner's name
Documents Required
- ●Latest electricity bill showing your consumer account number
- ●Aadhaar card of the applicant
- ●Proof of roof/property ownership (property tax receipt, sale deed, or house registration)
- ●Bank passbook or a cancelled cheque (for subsidy transfer via DBT)
- ●Passport-size photograph
- ●Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification on the portal)
How to Apply Online — Step by Step
- 1Go to the official portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in and click the 'Apply for Rooftop Solar' button on the homepage
- 2On the registration page, select your State and Electricity Distribution Company (Discom) from the dropdowns, then enter your Electricity Consumer Number and Mobile Number, and click 'Submit'
- 3Verify your mobile number and email using the OTP sent, then complete registration by clicking 'Register'
- 4Login to the portal using your Consumer Number and Mobile Number under the 'Consumer Login' section
- 5Click 'Apply for Rooftop Solar' inside your dashboard and fill in the application form with your roof area, expected system capacity (in kW), and address details, then click 'Submit Application'
- 6Wait for feasibility approval from your Discom — you will get a notification on the portal once approved
- 7After approval, choose a MNRE-registered vendor listed on the portal under 'Registered Vendors' and get the solar plant installed at your home
- 8Once installation is complete, log in again and submit the plant details (capacity, vendor, installation date) under 'Plant Details' and click 'Submit'
- 9Apply for a net meter using the 'Net Meter Application' option so surplus power you generate can be exported to the grid
- 10After the Discom inspects the installation and commissions the net meter, download the 'Commissioning Certificate' generated automatically on your dashboard
- 11Go to 'Bank Details' section, enter your bank account number and IFSC code (matching your cancelled cheque), and click 'Submit for Subsidy'
- 12The subsidy amount is credited directly to your registered bank account, typically within 30 days of commissioning
Only install through a vendor listed as 'MNRE Registered' on the pmsuryaghar.gov.in portal. Subsidy claims are rejected if the installation is done through an unregistered/local vendor, even if the panels themselves are of good quality.
Net Metering and Selling Surplus Power
A net meter records both the electricity you draw from the grid and the surplus you export back to it. If your rooftop system generates more power than your household consumes during the day, that extra unit is credited to your account and adjusted against your bill, or paid out by the Discom depending on your state's net-metering regulations. Net metering charges are usually nominal, generally in the range of ₹500 to ₹1,500 depending on the state and system size.
Processing Timeline
| Registration to feasibility approval | 7 – 15 days |
| Installation after vendor selection | 15 – 30 days |
| Discom inspection & net meter commissioning | 7 – 15 days |
| Subsidy credit after commissioning | Within 30 days |
| Application fee for the scheme | Nil — no government fee to apply |
A typical household installing a 3 kW system can save ₹15,000–₹20,000 a year on electricity bills after subsidy, effectively recovering the remaining installation cost within 4–6 years while the panels continue generating free power for 20-25 years.
Helpline and Support
For any issue with registration, feasibility approval, vendor disputes, or delayed subsidy, call the National Toll-Free Helpline at 15555, or raise a grievance directly through the 'Contact Us' section on pmsuryaghar.gov.in. You can also track your application status anytime by logging into your Consumer Login dashboard.
Common Questions
- ●Can I apply if I live in a flat/apartment? Yes, but the housing society must apply collectively for common-area rooftop installations under the scheme's separate provisions for Group Housing Societies (GHS/RWA), with a slightly different subsidy structure.
- ●Is there a subsidy cap per household? Yes, the maximum central subsidy is ₹78,000, even if your installed capacity exceeds 3 kW.
- ●What if my Discom is not listed on the portal? Coverage is expanding state by state; check back on pmsuryaghar.gov.in or contact 15555 for the latest status in your area.
- ●Can I get the loan without collateral? Yes, banks empanelled under the scheme offer collateral-free loans up to 3 kW capacity at concessional interest rates.