PM Surya Ghar Yojana 2026: How to Apply Online, Step by Step

Quick answer: You apply for PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana online at pmsuryaghar.gov.in using your electricity consumer number. Your DISCOM checks feasibility, a DISCOM-registered vendor installs a system with made-in-India (DCR) panels, the DISCOM installs a net meter and inspects it, and the central subsidy of up to ₹78,000 is paid straight into your bank account. Most homes finish the whole process in about 2 to 4 months. The most common delays come from name mismatches in documents, a low sanctioned load, and choosing a vendor who is not registered with your DISCOM.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the biggest home solar programme India has ever run. By June 2026 the government said more than 40 lakh households had benefited, with over 12 GW of rooftop capacity added and more than ₹22,750 crore of subsidy released (PIB, June 2026). By August 2026 the count had crossed 50 lakh homes and 14.8 GW, according to MNRE figures reported by pv magazine India.

Even so, many families start an application and get stuck halfway. The portal is simple, but the steps involve three parties: you, your electricity company (DISCOM) and the vendor who installs the system. When one of them is waiting for the other, nothing moves. This guide explains every step in order, the documents you need, the exact subsidy you can expect, how the low-interest loan works, and the mistakes that cause most delays, so your application goes through the first time.

What is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?

The scheme was launched on 13 February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore. Its goal is to put rooftop solar on 1 crore homes. A home with rooftop solar makes its own electricity during the day. With a net meter, any extra units go to the grid and are adjusted against the units you use at night, so many homes see their bills fall close to zero. The government reported in June 2026 that more than 17 lakh households had already reached a zero electricity bill.

The scheme gives three things:

• Central Financial Assistance (CFA): a direct subsidy of up to ₹78,000 per home, paid into your bank account after the system is commissioned.
• Low-interest, collateral-free loans through public sector banks for systems up to 3 kW.
• A single national portal where you apply, choose a vendor, track the work and claim the subsidy.

If you are still deciding whether solar makes sense for your home, read our rooftop solar cost and payback guide first. It explains prices for 1 kW to 10 kW systems and how many years it takes to recover the money.

How much subsidy will you get?

The central subsidy depends on the size of the system, not on its price. It is calculated as ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW. There is no extra central subsidy beyond 3 kW, so the maximum for one home is ₹78,000.

System sizeCentral subsidySuitable for (monthly use) 1 kW₹30,000Up to about 120–150 units 2 kW₹60,000About 150–300 units 3 kW₹78,000About 300 units and above Above 3 kW₹78,000 (capped)Larger homes; extra capacity gets no additional central subsidy The consumption bands above follow the government's own guidance, which links 0–150 units a month to 1–2 kW, 150–300 units to 2–3 kW, and above 300 units to systems above 3 kW (PIB factsheet). A 3 kW system typically generates over 300 units a month, though actual output depends on your city, roof direction and shade.

Housing societies and RWAs can also get support for common facilities such as lifts, pumps and corridor lights. The rate is ₹18,000 per kW, for up to 500 kW per society, counted at 3 kW per house. This is separate from the subsidy an individual flat owner gets for their own connection.

State top-ups: some states add their own subsidy on top of the central amount, while others, such as Madhya Pradesh for residential consumers at the time of writing, give only the central subsidy. Check your state renewable energy agency or DISCOM website before you finalise your budget.

What will you actually pay?

Installed prices vary by city, brand and roof, but as a rough guide, a good-quality 3 kW on-grid system with DCR panels costs about ₹1.7 lakh to ₹2.3 lakh before subsidy. After the ₹78,000 subsidy, your net cost is usually around ₹90,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. Since September 2025, GST on solar modules and solar power devices has been 5% instead of 12% (pv magazine), which helped bring prices down. Always compare at least three written quotes; our checklist on how to choose a genuine solar installer shows what each quote should include.

Who is eligible?

You can apply if all of these are true:

• You are an Indian citizen with a residential (domestic) electricity connection in your name. Commercial, industrial and agricultural connections do not qualify for this scheme.
• You own the house or have the right to use the roof. Tenants need written permission from the owner, and the connection must be in the applicant's name.
• You have a suitable roof with enough shadow-free space. A 1 kW system needs roughly 100 square feet; a 3 kW system needs about 300 square feet.
• You have not taken a central rooftop solar subsidy before for the same connection.
• Your bank account details and KYC match your application, because the subsidy is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer.

Your system size is generally limited to your sanctioned load. If your bill shows a sanctioned load of 2 kW and you want a 3 kW system, apply for a load increase first. In many cities this takes two to four weeks, and doing it before you apply avoids a rejection at the feasibility stage.

Documents you need

Keep clear scans or photos of these before you start. Most rejections happen because a document is unclear or a name does not match.

DocumentWhy it is neededTip Latest electricity billConsumer number, sanctioned load, name on connectionThe bill should show as paid; clear arrears first Aadhaar cardIdentity and KYCName spelling must match the electricity bill and bank account Proof of ownership or roof rightsTo show you may install on the roofProperty papers, tax receipt, or owner's consent for tenants Bank passbook or cancelled chequeSubsidy paymentYour name should be printed on the cheque Recent photographApplication recordSome DISCOMs ask for it at the inspection stage Vendor documents (provided by vendor)Panel invoice, DCR certificate, inverter details, commissioning reportAsk for these in writing before you pay the final amount A common trap: older electricity bills often carry the name of a parent or the previous owner, or a name in Hindi that does not match the English spelling on Aadhaar. Get the name on the connection corrected at your DISCOM office before you apply. It usually takes about a week and saves months of back-and-forth later.

Step-by-step: how to apply online

Here is the full process, from registration to the subsidy reaching your bank account.

Step 1: Register on the national portal

Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in and choose "Apply for Rooftop Solar". Select your state and your electricity distribution company, then enter your consumer number (it is printed on your bill), mobile number and email. You will get an OTP to verify your mobile number.

Step 2: Log in and fill the application

Log in with your consumer number and mobile number. Fill in the rooftop solar application: your details, the system size you want, and your bank details. Upload the documents listed above. Once submitted, you get an application number. Save it, because you will use it to track every stage.

Step 3: DISCOM feasibility approval

Your DISCOM checks whether the local transformer and line can handle the new system. Under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules as amended in 2024, rooftop systems up to 10 kW do not need a technical feasibility study, and for larger systems the study must be completed within 15 days (Mercom). In practice, approvals for small home systems usually arrive within one to three weeks. You will see the status change on the portal.

Step 4: Choose a registered vendor

After approval, choose an installer from the list of vendors registered with your DISCOM on the portal. Only a registered vendor can install a system that qualifies for the subsidy. Compare quotes on price per kW, panel brand and wattage, inverter brand, structure height and material, warranty, and who will handle the net meter paperwork. You can also find and compare rooftop solar installers on PeopleList and check their reviews, then confirm they appear in the portal's vendor list.

Sign a written work order with the vendor. It should state the system size, panel and inverter make and model, total price including GST, payment schedule, timeline and warranties. Never pay the full amount upfront. A common, fair schedule is an advance at order, the main payment at delivery of material, and the balance after commissioning.

Step 5: Installation

The vendor installs the panels, mounting structure, inverter, earthing and safety devices. A 3 kW home system usually takes two to three days on site. Before the vendor leaves, check that the panel serial numbers match the invoice, the structure is firmly fixed, and the earthing and lightning arrester are installed. For the subsidy, the panels must be DCR panels, which means made in India using Indian solar cells. Our guide on DCR vs non-DCR solar panels and the ALMM List-II rule explains how to check this.

Step 6: Submit installation details and apply for net metering

Once the system is installed, the vendor uploads the installation details, photos and component information on the portal, and you apply for a net meter. The net meter (bidirectional meter) records both the electricity you take from the grid and what you send to it. Read how net metering works in India to understand how your bill will change.

Step 7: Net meter installation and DISCOM inspection

The DISCOM installs and tests the net meter and inspects the system. The 2024 rule amendment requires DISCOMs to commission rooftop systems within 15 days. After a successful inspection, a commissioning certificate is generated on the portal. In many states, PM Surya Ghar applicants do not pay processing or meter testing fees, but you may still need to pay for the meter itself, so ask your vendor what is included.

Step 8: Claim the subsidy

After commissioning, submit or confirm your bank details and cancelled cheque on the portal. The subsidy is then released by Direct Benefit Transfer. The government states that the subsidy should be received within about 30 days; in practice it can take one to three months, especially in busy months. You can track the status on the portal at any time.

Typical timeline

StageUsual time Registration and applicationSame day Feasibility approvalA few days to about 3 weeks Choosing a vendor and signing the order1–2 weeks (your choice) Installation2–3 days on site Net meter and inspection1–4 weeks Subsidy in your accountAbout 1–3 months after commissioning TotalUsually 2–4 months The PM Surya Ghar loan: how it works

If you do not want to pay the full amount upfront, you can take a solar loan. Under the scheme, public sector banks offer collateral-free loans of up to about ₹2 lakh for residential systems up to 3 kW, at a concessional interest rate of around 7% (the government factsheet mentions 6.75%) (PIB factsheet). You can choose the loan option on the portal, and the bank connects with you. The subsidy is paid to you after commissioning, and many families use it to pay down the loan early.

Before you take a loan, check the processing fee, the repayment period and whether there is a penalty for paying early. For systems above 3 kW, normal bank or NBFC solar loans apply, usually at higher interest.

10 mistakes that delay or reject applications

1. Name mismatch between the electricity bill, Aadhaar and bank account.
2. Low sanctioned load compared with the system size you want.
3. Pending bill arrears on the connection.
4. Choosing a vendor not registered with your DISCOM on the portal.
5. Non-DCR panels installed on a subsidy application. These cannot get the subsidy.
6. Paying 100% in advance, which leaves you with no leverage if the work stops.
7. Shaded roof areas, such as water tanks or neighbouring buildings, that cut output.
8. Blurry document uploads, which lead to re-submission requests.
9. Wrong bank details or a cheque without your printed name.
10. No written work order, so brands or capacity get changed silently.

Is it worth it? A simple example

Take a family in Bhopal or Indore using about 300 units a month. A 3 kW system costing ₹1.8 lakh becomes about ₹1.02 lakh after the ₹78,000 subsidy. If it generates around 360 units a month, it can cover most of the family's daytime and night-time use through net metering. At an average of about ₹7 per unit, that is a saving of roughly ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 a month, so the net cost can be recovered in about 4 years. The panels are designed to last 25 years. Your exact numbers depend on your tariff slab, fixed charges and how much sunlight your roof gets.

Find a trusted installer near you

The installer you choose decides how smooth your subsidy journey will be. Compare solar companies and installers on PeopleList, read customer reviews, and contact them directly by call or WhatsApp. Or tell us what you need and get free quotes from up to 3 local solar businesses. Check that the installer is registered for your DISCOM on the national portal before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

Is PM Surya Ghar Yojana still open in 2026?

Yes. The scheme is running, and the government reported more than 65 lakh applications in the pipeline in June 2026, with a target of 1 crore homes by 2026–27. Always apply through the official portal, pmsuryaghar.gov.in.

Can I get the subsidy for a 5 kW system?

Yes, but the central subsidy stays capped at ₹78,000. You pay the full cost of the capacity above 3 kW yourself.

Can tenants apply?

Only if the electricity connection is in the applicant's name and the owner gives written permission to use the roof. In most cases it is simpler for the owner to apply.

Do I have to pay for the net meter?

In many states, PM Surya Ghar applicants do not pay processing or meter testing fees, but the meter itself may be charged. Ask your DISCOM or vendor what your state charges.

Is "free electricity" guaranteed?

No. Your bill depends on how many units you use compared with how many your system produces. Fixed charges and electricity duty usually still apply. Many families do reach a near-zero bill with the right system size.

What if my subsidy is delayed?

Check the status on the portal first. If commissioning is complete and your bank details are correct, raise a grievance on the portal or call the national helpline 15555.

Information in this guide is based on official sources and news reports available in October 2026. Scheme rules, subsidy amounts and state charges can change, so confirm the latest details on pmsuryaghar.gov.in and with your DISCOM before you sign any contract.