Central Schemes By State How to Apply FAQ Apply at consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in →
Central Government of India

National Solar Subsidy Schemes

All schemes below are officially backed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and available across all Indian states and UTs.

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Important for 2026: PM Surya Ghar is active until March 31, 2027. The older MNRE Grid Phase II scheme has ended for new residential applications. Apply directly at the official portal — subsidies are paid into your bank account with no agents or middlemen involved.

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Read This Before You Buy Any Solar Panel

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Do NOT buy solar before applying

If you purchase or install solar panels before registering on the official portal and receiving DISCOM approval, you will lose your entire subsidy. The government will not reimburse systems installed before the application is approved.

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Do NOT let a vendor apply on your behalf

Only the homeowner can apply for the subsidy using their own Aadhaar and electricity consumer number. Vendors who offer to "handle everything" may be committing fraud or claiming the subsidy themselves.

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Do NOT pay any agent fee for the subsidy

The PM Surya Ghar application is 100% free on the official government portal. If anyone asks you to pay a fee to process your subsidy, it is a scam.

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Do NOT use panels not on the ALMM list

Only panels on MNRE's Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) qualify for the subsidy. Cheap or imported panels not on this list will disqualify your application. Always verify the panel model before signing any contract.

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Correct order: Apply first, then install

Register → Get DISCOM feasibility approval → Choose empaneled vendor → Install → Net meter inspection → Subsidy credited to your bank. This exact sequence is mandatory.

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Apply directly at the official portal

The only legitimate application portal is consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Beware of fake websites, WhatsApp links, or third-party portals claiming to process your application.

🌟 Flagship Scheme — Active Until March 2027

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

India's most important solar scheme — direct bank transfer of up to ₹78,000 for rooftop solar installation in 1 crore residential households. Fully online application at the national portal.

₹78,000
Max Subsidy (3 kW+)
System SizeSubsidy AmountApprox. System CostNet Cost After Subsidy
1 kW₹30,000~₹70,000~₹40,000
2 kW₹60,000~₹1,20,000~₹60,000
3 kW₹78,000~₹1,50,000~₹72,000
Above 3 kW₹78,000 (capped)~₹2,00,000+~₹1,22,000+
Eligibility Criteria
  • Residential property owner — individual house, flat, or housing society
  • Grid-connected installation with net metering (off-grid not eligible)
  • Must use a MNRE-empaneled or DISCOM-approved vendor
  • Solar panels must be ALMM-listed (Approved List of Models & Manufacturers)
  • Valid electricity consumer number with your local DISCOM
  • Apply yourself at consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in — vendors cannot apply on your behalf
  • Off-grid or standalone battery-only systems not eligible
  • Commercial or industrial premises not eligible for cash subsidy
  • Previously availed a central solar subsidy on the same premises
Official Portal: consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in
Apply Now →
🌾 Farmers Only

PM-KUSUM Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan — solar power for farmers, irrigation pumps, and income generation from barren land.

ComponentCoverageSubsidy
A — Land Leasing0.5–2 MW solar plants on barren land60%
B — Solo PumpsStandalone solar irrigation pumps60% + 30% loan
C — Grid PumpsSolarise existing grid-connected pumps60%
Eligibility Criteria
  • Farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, Panchayats, local institutions
  • Must own farmland or barren agricultural land
  • Apply through your state nodal agency or PM-KUSUM portal
  • Component B: existing diesel pump or new irrigation setup
  • Urban residential users not eligible
  • Industrial or commercial entities not eligible
Portal: pmkusum.mnre.gov.in
Apply Now →
🏢 Businesses & MSMEs

Accelerated Depreciation — Tax Benefit

No direct cash subsidy for businesses, but a significant first-year tax deduction that dramatically reduces the effective cost of solar installation.

BenefitRateLegal Reference
Year 1 Depreciation40%Section 32, IT Act
GST on Solar Panels12% (reduced)GST Council
Eligibility Criteria
  • Registered businesses, companies, MSMEs, industries
  • Solar plant owned and used by the business entity
  • System operational and used for business purpose
  • Must file Income Tax returns to claim the depreciation
  • Individual households or salaried persons cannot claim this
Reference: Income Tax Act 1961, Section 32
IT India →
🏔️ Special Category States & UTs

Enhanced Central Subsidies — Hilly & Island States

Northeast India, J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar receive higher subsidy rates than general category states.

Benefit TypeGeneral StatesSpecial Category
Off-grid solar pumps30%Up to 50%
Grid-connected top-upStandard MNRE+10% per kW extra
Eligible States & UTs
  • Northeast: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim
  • J&K and Ladakh (Union Territories)
  • Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
  • Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
  • Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat etc. are general category — this extra top-up does not apply
Apply via State Nodal Agency (SNA)
MNRE Portal →
State Governments

State-Wise Solar Benefits

These are in addition to the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy. States vary widely — some offer extra cash top-ups, others offer priority approvals and waived fees.

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Gujarat

+₹40,000 Extra

Additional state subsidy on top of central assistance via the Surya Urja Rooftop Yojana. Best state in India for solar incentives. Apply via GEDA portal.

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Rajasthan

40% State Subsidy

40% for systems up to 3 kW, 20% for 3–10 kW. Combines powerfully with the central subsidy for one of the best total savings in India. Apply via RREC.

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Maharashtra

BPL Priority

SMART Solar Scheme provides additional benefits for BPL, SC/ST households, and homes using under 100 units/month. Net metering supported via MSEDCL.

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Kerala

Central via KSEB

KSEB's Soura scheme channels the central MNRE subsidy through ekiran.kseb.in. No separate major state cash top-up for general residential users. ANERT assists with time-bound local incentives.

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Tamil Nadu

Up to ₹1.3L Total

Combined central + state top-up can reach ₹1.3 lakh in certain categories. TANGEDCO supports net metering. Apply via TEDA (Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency).

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Delhi

Group Net Metering

BSES Rajdhani and BYPL support group net metering for apartments and housing societies. Solar rebates and priority approvals for multi-floor buildings.

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Haryana & Punjab

DISCOM Discounts

State DISCOM-level subsidies, wheeling charge exemptions, and priority net metering. Special farmer and domestic user exceptions available.

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Karnataka

Strong Net Metering

Excellent net metering policy under BESCOM. State top-up available for certain categories. Apply via KREDL (Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd).

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Apply for PM Surya Ghar

The entire process is online at consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Apply yourself — you do not need a vendor to apply on your behalf.

1

Register Online

Visit consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in and register with your state, DISCOM name, and the consumer number from your electricity bill.

2

DISCOM Approval

Your local electricity board reviews your roof capacity and grants technical feasibility. Usually 1–3 weeks.

3

Choose Vendor

Pick a DISCOM-empaneled installer from the portal's list. Confirm that panels are ALMM-listed before signing.

4

Install & Inspect

Vendor installs your system. DISCOM inspects and installs a bidirectional net meter to track export and import.

5

Subsidy in Bank

After net meter approval, up to ₹78,000 is credited directly to your bank account — typically within 30 days.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally no. The subsidy is tied to the electricity consumer number, which is usually in the property owner's name. The owner must apply. However, if the electricity connection is in the tenant's name, they may be eligible in some cases — verify with your local DISCOM.
Yes. You can install any capacity system, but the central subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 regardless of size. You pay the remaining cost yourself. There is no penalty for going larger — it simply does not attract additional subsidy beyond the cap.
Net metering lets you export surplus solar power back to the grid and receive credits on your electricity bill. During the day, when your solar generates more than you consume, excess flows to the grid. At night, you draw from the grid. Your bill only reflects the net difference — reducing monthly costs dramatically, sometimes to near zero.
Panels must appear on the ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) maintained by MNRE. The government has been pushing DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) compliance to support Indian manufacturing. Always ask your vendor to confirm the exact panel model is ALMM-listed before signing any contract — a non-listed panel means you lose the subsidy.
Typically 2–4 months in total. Feasibility approval takes 1–3 weeks, installation takes 3–7 days, DISCOM inspection and net meter installation takes 2–4 weeks, and the subsidy is credited within 30 days after that. High-demand states like Maharashtra and UP may see longer delays — apply early.
Based on current understanding, the PM Surya Ghar subsidy is treated as a capital subsidy — reducing the cost of the asset rather than being counted as income — and is generally not taxable. However, individual tax treatment can vary. Consult a Chartered Accountant for advice specific to your situation.