PM Surya Ghar FAQ: 40 Questions Homeowners and Installers Ask

Every week, homeowners and installers ask us the same set of questions about PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. How much subsidy? Who is eligible? Why is my application stuck? This PM Surya Ghar FAQ answers 40 of them in plain language, grouped by theme, with the rules checked against MNRE's guidelines and portal manuals (dates given where quoted).

We work with 1,000+ Indian solar EPCs (Engineering, Procurement and Construction companies) at Quickest Solar CRM, so these are the questions that come up on real sales calls and real installations. If you want the scheme basics first, read the basics in the first answers below, then come back here for the detailed answers.

The first five questions everyone asks

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the Government of India's residential rooftop solar subsidy scheme, launched on 13 February 2024 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It targets 1 crore households with a budget of ₹75,021 crore. These five questions cover what the scheme is, who runs it, and where you apply.

1. What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

It is a central subsidy scheme for grid-connected rooftop solar on homes. The "muft bijli" promise means a correctly sized system offsets most of your monthly electricity bill. PIB (13 March 2025) says a 3 kW system can generate over 300 units a month on average. The full definition lives on our PM Surya Ghar glossary page.

2. Who runs the scheme?

MNRE runs it at the centre. Your state DISCOM (Distribution Company) handles feasibility approval, net meter installation, and commissioning at the local level. The national portal ties the two together.

3. How many households have benefitted so far?

PIB reported on 8 December 2025 that 23.96 lakh households had rooftop solar installed under the scheme, against the target of 1 crore households by FY 2026-27. Check the latest figure on the national portal.

4. Is the scheme only for individual houses?

No. Independent houses, flats, and housing societies can all apply. Group housing societies use group or virtual net metering arrangements where the state allows them. Shops, offices, and factories are excluded.

5. Where do I apply?

Only on the official national portal, pmsuryaghar.gov.in. There is no offline application. Beware of lookalike websites that charge a "registration fee", the real portal is free.

Eligibility questions

The guidelines make a residential consumer with a valid consumer account number eligible, and a PIB explainer of 1 March 2024 adds that the applicant must be an Indian citizen who owns a house with a suitable roof and has not taken another solar subsidy. The guidelines set no income limit. Six questions below cover the edge cases we see most.

6. Who exactly is eligible?

A residential electricity consumer with a valid consumer account number and a roof that suits solar. The PIB explainer of 1 March 2024 says the applicant must own the house, while the guidelines speak of a residential connection and do not mention ownership. The bank account holder name and the electricity connection name should be the same on the portal. The scheme's official listing on the myScheme portal, Government of India confirms the same criteria. Questions 41 to 43 below cover the edge cases.

7. Can a tenant apply?

The national guidelines say nothing about tenants. One DISCOM, BSES Rajdhani in Delhi, says in its FAQ (September 2025) that tenants can apply subject to an NOC from the owner. Other DISCOMs may differ, so ask yours. The portal also says the bank account holder name and the electricity connection name should be the same.

8. Is there an income limit or category?

The guidelines set no income limit for the central subsidy, and any household gets the same slabs. Some states run their own top-ups on their own terms, see state top-up subsidies under PM Surya Ghar.

9. Are shops and offices eligible?

No. The scheme is strictly residential. Commercial and industrial consumers get no CFA (Central Financial Assistance), though they can still install solar and claim depreciation (section 33 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, at 40% written-down value for solar). Confirm the tax treatment with your CA.

10. I already got a subsidy under the old rooftop scheme. Can I apply again?

Only for the balance. A rooftop installation is eligible for CFA only once (clause 5(o)). If you took CFA under an earlier MNRE scheme and later enlarged the plant, you can claim extra CFA only for the balance capacity up to 3 kW overall (clause 5(n)). Example from the guidelines: 1 kW under Phase II, enlarged to 4 kW, gets additional CFA only for 2 kW.

Subsidy money questions

The central subsidy is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 per kW for the third kW, capped at ₹78,000. It is paid by DBT into your bank account after commissioning, not deducted from your vendor's invoice. Five questions cover the money side.

11. How much subsidy do I get per kW?

₹30,000 per kW for kW 1 and 2, then ₹18,000 for kW 3. Nothing beyond 3 kW. These are the slabs in the MNRE guidelines (file uploaded July 2025). Special category states get ₹33,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹19,800 for the third. Full slab details: PM Surya Ghar subsidy slabs.

12. Is ₹78,000 really the maximum?

Yes, for the general category. Whatever size you install, 5 kW, 8 kW, 10 kW, the CFA stops at ₹78,000. Size the system to your consumption, not to the subsidy. See how to calculate your exact subsidy.

13. How and when is the subsidy paid?

By DBT to your bank account. After the DISCOM's inspection and approval, the e-token on your portal profile is activated and you redeem it. The guidelines say the subsidy is processed within 15 days of DISCOM approval (clause 6(t)); an older PIB explainer said 30 days from bank details. Timeline detail: PM Surya Ghar disbursement timeline.

14. Do states pay anything extra?

Some do, on their own terms and budgets. Many states pay nothing extra. Always verify on your state renewable agency's site before quoting a number to a customer.

15. Does the subsidy cover batteries?

No. A rooftop installation may include battery storage, but the CFA is calculated on the capacity of the solar modules only (clause 5(l)). A hybrid system with batteries is allowed under the scheme, but the battery cost gets no subsidy.

Cost, loan and EMI questions

The prices in this section are indicative market ranges we use as assumptions, not official figures. Prices are agreed between you and the vendor (guidelines clause 6(c)), and MNRE is to publish indicative component costs. PIB (13 March 2025) reports collateral-free bank loans up to ₹2 lakh at a subsidised 6.75% through 12 public sector banks. Five questions on the money you actually pay.

16. What does a rooftop system actually cost in 2026?

As an indicative assumption (not an official figure), a 1 kW on-grid system might cost ₹60,000 to ₹75,000 gross, including panels, inverter, structure, wiring, labour, and net meter charges. Prices vary by city, module brand, and roof type. Detailed sizing math: PM Surya Ghar cost by system size.

17. How much do I pay out of pocket?

Gross cost minus ₹78,000 (for 3 kW and above), minus any state top-up. On the assumed prices above, a 3 kW job leaves about ₹1.0 to ₹1.3 lakh out of pocket, usually paid to the vendor in stages, with the subsidy credited to you later.

18. Is there an official loan for PM Surya Ghar?

Yes. The Press Information Bureau reported on 13 March 2025 that households can get collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh at a subsidised 6.75% through 12 public sector banks. The 8 December 2025 release says collateral-free loans from nationalised banks are at repo rate plus 50 basis points, i.e. 6% a year at that date, with a tenure of 10 years. Check the current rate and terms with your bank. Process detail: PM Surya Ghar bank loan process.

19. What interest rate and tenure should I expect?

PIB gave 6.75% (13 March 2025) and repo plus 50 basis points, i.e. 6% at that date (8 December 2025), with a tenure of 10 years. The rate on the day depends on the bank, so ask for the current figure in writing. Compare options in PM Surya Ghar EMI options.

20. Will my EMI be lower than my electricity bill?

Often, but check your own numbers. With illustrative assumptions, a ₹1.2 lakh loan over 5 years at 7% costs about ₹2,375 per month, and a 3 kW system in a state with a ₹7 per unit tariff saves roughly ₹2,500 per month. On those assumptions the system covers its own EMI, and savings continue after the loan ends.

Here is a hypothetical example that mirrors what we see weekly. A homeowner in Surat with a ₹2,800 monthly bill installs 3 kW for ₹1.95 lakh gross. After ₹78,000 CFA, the net cost is ₹1.17 lakh, funded by an SBI scheme loan at about ₹2,300 EMI. The new bill drops to under ₹300. This is hypothetical but typical, your numbers depend on roof, tariff, and vendor.

Our opinionated take: 3 kW is a sensible answer for many Indian homes. It captures the full subsidy and fits many roofs. Oversizing "because subsidy" is a mistake, since the extra kW gets zero CFA and the payback stretches. The tradeoff is real though: if your bills are high, a bigger system can still win on lifetime savings even without extra subsidy. Size to your own consumption.

Application and vendor questions

You apply on the national portal before work starts, pick a vendor registered on the National Portal, and upload the signed agreement. Feasibility is deemed accepted up to 10 kW, though some states still ask for documents. Getting the order wrong is a common reason applications run into trouble. These five questions, plus our Five-Gate Subsidy Path framework below, cover the process.

We teach installers the Five-Gate Subsidy Path, a named sequence that keeps every PM Surya Ghar job on track. Miss a gate and the subsidy stalls. Run them in order and the money lands.

1. 1

   Gate 1, Eligibility check

   Confirm the consumer name on the DISCOM bill matches the bank account holder name, and that the connection is residential (LT domestic).

2. 2

   Gate 2, Portal application before installation

   Register at pmsuryaghar.gov.in, select state and DISCOM, and submit. Installing first is a risky mistake, because the scheme runs only through the portal.

3. 3

   Gate 3, Feasibility approval

   Systems up to 10 kW are deemed accepted without technical feasibility approval. Where your state still asks for documents, wait for the DISCOM's feasibility before ordering equipment.

4. 4

   Gate 4, Installation by a registered vendor

   Use a vendor registered on the National Portal, with DCR-compliant ALMM-listed modules. Submit the installation details and a plant photo that shows geo co-ordinates.

5. 5

   Gate 5, Net meter, commissioning, DBT

   DISCOM inspects, signs the net metering agreement and approves on the portal. The consumer redeems the e-token, and the subsidy is processed within 15 days of DISCOM approval.

21. How do I apply, step by step?

Register on the portal with your mobile number, pick your state and DISCOM, enter your consumer number, and submit with the rooftop details. The full walkthrough: PM Surya Ghar application process.

22. Can I install first and apply later?

Do not. The scheme runs only through the National Portal (clause 6(a)): the consumer applies, picks a registered vendor and uploads the agreement before work starts. The guidelines do not spell out a rule for systems installed before any application, so treat install-first as unsafe and ask MNRE or your DISCOM in writing if a customer is already in that position.

23. Who is an empanelled or registered vendor?

A solar installer registered on the National Portal, either at state level with the state's nodal DISCOM or agency, or at national or multi-state level with REC. Registration requirements and documents: PM Surya Ghar vendor registration.

24. Can I choose any vendor I like?

You choose from the portal's vendor list for your DISCOM, and you agree rates with the vendor yourself (clause 6(c)). If your preferred installer is not listed, they can register, but you cannot select them until they are. Never pay an unregistered vendor for a subsidised job.

25. What documents do I need?

On the national portal screens in MNRE's manual of 21 July 2024: one electricity bill from the last 6 months, bank details with a cancelled cheque, passbook copy or e-statement, and the signed agreement with the vendor. The manual shows no field for Aadhaar, PAN or property papers, and one screen warns "Please do not upload Aadhaar Card file." Your DISCOM may ask for more. The vendor adds module and inverter serial numbers and a plant photo with geo co-ordinates. For a list sourced to MNRE's portal manuals, see the PM Surya Ghar documents list.

Net metering and electricity bill questions

Most subsidised homes use net metering. A bidirectional meter records both the units you import from the grid and the solar units you export, and you are billed only on the net. Surplus units carry forward or settle at your state regulator's rate. Five questions on how the bill actually changes.

26. What is net metering?

It is a billing arrangement where your solar exports offset your grid imports on the same bill. Our net metering glossary entry defines the terms, and what net metering is walks through a full billing example.

27. Is net metering compulsory for the subsidy?

In most cases. The DISCOM inspects the system and signs the net metering agreement under state regulations before approving the subsidy (clause 6(k)). Grid-connected systems that do not export, such as behind-the-meter or battery hybrid systems, can also get CFA subject to approval by the state electricity regulator (clause 6(o)). Off-grid installations are not eligible.

28. Will my electricity bill become zero?

Close to it, if the system is sized right. PIB (13 March 2025) says a 3 kW system generates over 300 units a month on average. If your consumption is in that range, your energy charge drops sharply. Fixed charges and meter rent still apply, and the amount depends on your DISCOM.

29. What happens to extra units I export?

They bank against future bills within the settlement period, or the DISCOM pays you at a rate set by your state regulator. Rules differ by state commission, so check your DISCOM's net metering regulation.

30. How long does net meter installation take?

The scheme guidelines set no deadline. Under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules as amended in February 2024, the licensee's time to commission rooftop solar systems was cut from thirty days to fifteen (PIB, 23 February 2024). Check your state regulation, and follow up with the local subdivision office and the portal grievance option if it drags.

How Quickest Solar CRM fits

Every question above is also a sales conversation. When a homeowner asks "kitna lagega after subsidy?", your rep should answer with a branded proposal PDF, not a phone calculator. Quickest Solar CRM lets you make a proposal with your logo, items, terms and the PM Surya Ghar subsidy applied, and share the PDF on WhatsApp. See pricing, the free plan covers 10 proposals a month.

• Proposal Generator, branded proposal PDF with the PM Surya Ghar subsidy applied for the customer's system size.
• WhatsApp Follow-up, share the proposal PDF in the customer's WhatsApp chat and keep saved message templates for the usual subsidy explanation.
• Lead Capture, add leads and bulk import them from Excel into one list, with labels for the source.
• Pipeline Management, track each deal from survey to feasibility to commissioning so no subsidy application stalls.

What to do this week

Three concrete moves, whether you are a homeowner or an installer.

1. Homeowners: check your last three electricity bills, note the consumer name and monthly units, and register at pmsuryaghar.gov.in before talking to any vendor.
2. Homeowners: shortlist two portal-registered vendors, ask each for a net-of-subsidy quote in writing, and compare the ₹78,000 math line by line.
3. Installers: build the Five-Gate Subsidy Path into your sales script and send every prospect a subsidy-ready proposal the same day, and book a Quickest Solar CRM demo if you do not have a system for it yet.

Frequently asked questions

31. Can I claim the subsidy on a second house?

A rooftop installation is eligible for CFA only once (guidelines clause 5(o)), and the scheme is tagged to a particular residential power connection of the DISCOM (clause 5(b)). The guidelines do not spell out a rule for a second house. Because the application is made per consumer account number, a separate residential connection should be a separate application, but verify your specific case with your DISCOM before applying.

32. Is an off-grid system with batteries eligible?

No. Off-grid installations are not eligible for CFA (guidelines clause 6(o)). Grid-connected systems are, including battery hybrid systems that do not export, subject to approval by the state electricity regulator. If you want batteries, install a hybrid system: the CFA is calculated on the solar module capacity only (clause 5(l)), and the battery cost itself is never subsidised.

33. Can an apartment residents' welfare association apply?

Yes. Group housing societies and residents' welfare associations can get CFA of ₹18,000 per kW for common facilities, including EV charging, at 3 kW per house and up to 500 kW in total, on a connection dedicated only to common facilities (guidelines, file uploaded July 2025). Group and virtual net metering installations are eligible if they are on a roof, terrace, balcony or elevated structure and the DISCOM approves the metering arrangement (clause 5(b)). Check your state's net metering rules before quoting.

34. What if the name on my electricity bill differs from my Aadhaar?

Fix the bill first. The portal says the bank account holder name and the electricity connection consumer name should be the same, and the application details are fetched from the DISCOM's record. The portal does not ask for Aadhaar, but your DISCOM's name change process has its own documents, so ask it. BSES Rajdhani says that after a name change the consumer must re-apply on the new account number. Only after the bill shows the correct name should you register on the portal.

35. How long after commissioning does the subsidy reach my account?

The guidelines say the subsidy is processed within 15 days of DISCOM approval (clause 6(t)). A PIB explainer of 1 March 2024 said 30 days from bank details after the commissioning report. The sequence is: the DISCOM inspects and approves on the portal, the e-token on your profile is activated, you redeem it with your bank details, and the CFA is credited by DBT. Delays usually sit at the DISCOM inspection stage, not the payment stage. Track the stage on the national portal and raise a grievance on the portal (30-day resolution per clause 11) if it stalls. The subsidy credit time guide has the details.

36. Can I install a system bigger than 10 kW at home?

You can, subject to your sanctioned load, your state's net metering rules and DISCOM approval, but the CFA stays capped at ₹78,000 regardless. Feasibility is deemed accepted only up to 10 kW, and larger systems may need more documentation. Size to your consumption and your shadow-free roof space, and use a rule of thumb of about 100 square feet per kW as a first estimate (an assumption, not a scheme rule).

37. Do I pay GST on the subsidy amount?

No. The CFA is a government grant paid to you, not a discount from the vendor, so the vendor's invoice value does not change because of the subsidy. The invoice carries GST on the system and installation. GST on solar devices and systems is 5% from 22 September 2025 (PIB; CBIC Notification 9/2025-IGST(Rate)), with a 70:30 goods and service split for EPC contracts, and the rate on the service portion should be confirmed with your CA. The subsidy arrives separately in your bank account. Keep the invoice and the DBT credit advice together for your records.

38. Can my installer charge me extra for handling the subsidy paperwork?

Nothing in the scheme authorises a separate "subsidy fee". The portal application, feasibility liaison, and commissioning paperwork are part of a registered vendor's normal scope, and most include it in the project price. If a vendor quotes a suspiciously low system price and then adds a paperwork charge, compare the total outlay, not the headline number. Report vendors demanding cash for "subsidy approval" through the grievance option on the national portal.

39. What happens if my vendor shuts down mid-project?

Your application survives because it is in your name on the portal, not the vendor's. The consumer manual says the vendor can be changed until the installation details are submitted. The risk is money already paid: tie stage payments to physical progress, and keep the advance small (this is our advice, not a scheme rule). If a vendor took an advance and disappeared, raise a grievance on the portal, since the guidelines let the registering authority de-register vendors, and consider a police complaint and a consumer forum case. Choosing an established registered vendor with local references is the real protection.

40. Is the scheme ending soon, should I hurry?

The target is 1 crore households by FY 2026-27, with a budget of ₹75,021 crore (PIB). PIB reported 23.96 lakh households installed by 8 December 2025. We do not know of any announced end date beyond that target, and slabs or state top-ups may change, so check the national portal for the current window before you promise a customer anything. If your roof and bills justify solar, apply under the rules in force.

41. I live in the house but my electricity connection is commercial or agricultural. Can I apply?

Not on that connection. The scheme is for residential (domestic) consumers, and an application on a commercial or agricultural account is rejected at the DISCOM stage. Two ways out. If you also hold a separate domestic connection for the home, that connection is eligible. Otherwise you can ask the DISCOM to reclassify the connection to the domestic category, which is a separate process you should finish before applying.

42. The electricity account is in my spouse's name. Can I apply?

The portal says the bank account holder name and the electricity connection consumer name should be the same. Whether a DISCOM accepts a spouse's application with a no-objection letter is a local policy, so ask yours before you start. The simplest fix is to apply in the name that is on the bill, with a bank account in that name.

43. I own a flat with no direct roof access. Can I apply?

Possibly, if the housing society lets you install on the common roof with a no-objection certificate. The guidelines do not address this case, and group housing has its own common-facility track, so ask your DISCOM and your society. If it is allowed, you apply with your own consumer number and the subsidy goes to your own bank account.

44. What if the DISCOM rejects my feasibility application?

If the local feeder is at capacity, the DISCOM may refuse feasibility or ask you to wait until the feeder is upgraded. The subsidy cannot proceed until feasibility is granted. Installers should check which feeders have capacity before running outreach in a new area, so they do not make wasted site visits.

45. What happens if a customer who is not eligible has already been installed?

If the meter category, the equipment or the installer's status does not meet the scheme's rules, the DISCOM will reject the commissioning report and no subsidy is paid. An installer is responsible for checking eligibility before the job starts and for representing it accurately to the customer. Disputes over this are a common source of complaints.

46. Can an installer do a PM Surya Ghar job without being empanelled?

No. The scheme is implemented only through vendors registered on the National Portal, so the customer's subsidy cannot go through an unregistered vendor (clause 7(a)). Registration is done at state level with the state's nodal DISCOM or agency, or at national and multi-state level with REC, and the national route needs a bank guarantee. See PM Surya Ghar vendor registration.

47. What mistakes cause most subsidy rejections and delays?

The same few come up again and again: using modules that do not meet the Domestic Content Requirement or are not on the ALMM list, working out the subsidy for the wrong slab, submitting installation details without a plant photo that shows geo co-ordinates or without equipment serial numbers, and not watching portal status so a stalled inspection goes unnoticed. Assigning one person to check portal status for every active project each day helps with most of them.