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Rooftop solar panels on homes in Mehsana, GujaratPhoto: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA · Image credits

PM Surya Ghar Yojana — ₹78,000 Solar Subsidy

The government pays up to ₹78,000 to put solar panels on your roof. Your electricity bill can drop to almost zero — and if you own an EV, you charge it free with sunlight. Here is the full process in simple words.

System sizeGood forSubsidy you getApprox. monthly saving
1 kWSmall homes, low usage₹30,000₹800–1,000
2 kW2–3 BHK homes₹60,000₹1,500–2,000
3 kW3–4 BHK + one EV₹78,000 (max)₹2,500–3,000
5 kW+Big homes + 2 EVs₹78,000 (cap)₹4,000+

Are you eligible? The 4 conditions

  • You own the roof (house or top-floor with terrace rights).
  • The electricity connection is in your name.
  • Your home has not taken a solar subsidy before.
  • You install through a registered vendor with ALMM-approved panels — this is what most people get wrong by buying from local unregistered installers.

How to apply — step by step

Step 1: Register at pmsuryaghar.gov.in — select your state, your electricity company (DISCOM) and enter your consumer number. Step 2: Fill the application form online with your roof details. Step 3: Get quotes from registered vendors (the portal shows the list for your area) and get the system installed. Step 4: Submit plant details and photos on the portal. Step 5: Your DISCOM inspects and installs a net meter. Step 6: The subsidy lands directly in your bank account — typically within 30 days of commissioning. Never pay the full amount in cash to an unregistered installer expecting "subsidy adjustment" — the official subsidy only flows through the portal.

What it costs and what you save

A good 3 kW on-grid system costs ₹1.5–1.9 lakh before subsidy. After ₹78,000 back, you pay roughly ₹75,000–1,10,000 net. If your current bill is ₹2,500–3,000 a month, the system pays for itself in about 3–4 years — and panels carry a 25–30 year performance warranty, so the remaining 20+ years are nearly free electricity. Add an EV to the same roof and the maths gets even better: charging an electric scooter needs just 25–30 units a month, which a 3 kW system makes before lunch. Check the full ownership maths in our EV vs petrol calculator and charging details in the charging cost calculator.

EV owners: tell your vendor you will charge an EV. They will size the system slightly bigger — the ₹18,000-per-extra-kW rate makes a 5 kW system very good value if two vehicles are coming home in the next few years.

Frequently asked questions

How much subsidy do I get under PM Surya Ghar?

₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW, then ₹18,000 per extra kW — capped at ₹78,000 for 3 kW or bigger systems. Money comes directly to your bank account after installation and DISCOM inspection.

Who is eligible for the solar subsidy?

Any household owning a roof with the electricity connection in its own name, installing through a registered vendor with approved panels — and that has not claimed a solar subsidy before.

How do I apply online?

Register at pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your consumer number, apply, install through a listed vendor, upload plant details — the DISCOM inspects and the subsidy is transferred, usually within 30 days.

Does the subsidy cover batteries or only panels?

The PM Surya Ghar subsidy covers on-grid rooftop systems — panels and inverter, not batteries. That is good news for budgets: on-grid systems are the cheapest and the net meter gives you credit for extra power you send back.

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