What Is Feasibility Clearance?

What is feasibility clearance?

Feasibility clearance is the DISCOM's confirmation that a proposed solar plant can be connected to the local distribution grid without causing voltage, reliability, or capacity issues. It is the first regulatory milestone in the net metering and grid connection process: the DISCOM technical team reviews the proposal, checks distribution transformer capacity, voltage limits, and protection compatibility, and issues clearance to proceed with installation. For a closer look at how this plays out in practice, see the DISCOM's step-by-step review workflow.

For residential rooftop under PM Surya Ghar, feasibility is integrated into the national portal flow, and applicants can track the national portal's integrated approval flow from application to clearance. For commercial and HT-connected projects, the DISCOM's net metering or interconnection cell handles applications through state-specific portals or offline submission. State-level processes vary substantially: some DISCOMs have online tracking; others require physical document submission.

Feasibility clearance is distinct from net metering approval. Feasibility is the entry permit confirming the proposed project can be installed; up to 10 kW the central Rules deem it accepted when the application is complete. After installation, a separate net metering application is filed for meter installation and operational approval.

Why feasibility clearance matters

For solar EPCs, feasibility clearance determines whether a customer order can be fulfilled. Above 10 kW, a denied or delayed feasibility can block the project (up to 10 kW a complete application is deemed accepted). Quality EPCs check distribution transformer capacity informally before customer commitment for marginal cases.

For customers, feasibility clearance is the regulatory assurance that solar generation will not create downstream issues. PM Surya Ghar subsidy is processed only after the DISCOM's inspection and approval on the national portal (MNRE CFA guidelines, July 2025, clause 6(k)), so a delay upstream cascades.

For DISCOMs, feasibility clearance protects grid integrity. High solar penetration in particular distribution areas can cause voltage rise during peak generation and reverse power flow issues. Feasibility check is the gatekeeping that prevents these issues.

How feasibility clearance is obtained

1. Site survey. EPC confirms roof area, structure, electrical service.
2. Sanction load check. Verify proposed solar within sanction limits.
3. Single line diagram preparation. EPC prepares a single line diagram showing the electrical layout.
4. Documentation compilation. Bills, ownership, vendor declaration.
5. Application submission. Online portal or DISCOM office.
6. Fee payment. Where applicable.
7. DISCOM review. Technical team assessment.
8. Site verification. Optional, depending on DISCOM.
9. Clearance issuance. Or conditional approval / denial.
10. Installation proceeds. Based on clearance.

Benefits of disciplined feasibility process

• Regulatory compliance. Required before installation.
• Risk identification. Capacity and voltage issues surface early.
• Customer confidence. Approved permit reduces concern.
• Net metering pathway. Foundation for final approval.
• PM Surya Ghar subsidy flow. Required step for DBT.
• Insurance acceptability. Documented compliance.
• Project finance enablement. Lenders may require feasibility.

Limitations and challenges

Timeline variation. Some DISCOMs slower than others.

Documentation burden. Multi-step paperwork.

State-specific processes. No national standard.

Denial risk. Distribution capacity constraints in some areas.

Communication gaps. Application status not always transparent.

Feasibility clearance across major Indian DISCOMs

Rules below are taken from each regulator's own text (checked 31 October 2026); for state-by-state DISCOM approval timelines covering the full net metering process, see the linked breakdown.

State / DISCOM	Rule on feasibility
All states (central rule)	Rights of Consumers Rules, rule 11, as amended 22 Feb 2024: up to 10 kW deemed accepted with no study; above 10 kW study and outcome within 15 days, else presumed feasible
Delhi (BSES, TPDDL)	Central rule applies. We could not open the DISCOMs' own checklists, so confirm timelines on their portals
Maharashtra (MSEDCL)	MERC Second Amendment, 2024 (29 Aug 2024): study within 15 days, else presumed feasible; up to 10 kW deemed accepted
Karnataka (BESCOM)	BESCOM Common SOP for distributed solar PV (file dated 17 Oct 2025): up to 150 kW deemed feasible; above 150 kW, approval or rejection within 10 working days of acknowledgement
Tamil Nadu (TNPDCL, earlier TANGEDCO)	Central rule applies. We found no feasibility timeline on the utility's undated FAQ
Gujarat (DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL, UGVCL)	GERC Fourth Amendment, 2024: up to 10 kW deemed accepted; otherwise field report within 10 days of the head-office letter. GERC's DRES Regulations, 2026, listed on GERC's site as notified 30 Oct 2026, repeal the 2016 rooftop regulations, so read the new text for current timelines
Telangana (TGSPDCL, TGNPDCL)	TGERC Regulation 1 of 2025 (15 Nov 2025): 15 working days, else deemed approved; up to 10 kWp deemed accepted
West Bengal (WBSEDCL)	WBERC Regulations, 2025 (31 Jul 2025): up to 10 kW deemed accepted; above 10 kW study in 15 days and outcome with quotation in 20 days, else deemed accepted
Uttar Pradesh (UPPCL discoms)	Central rule applies. We have not verified a UP-specific timeline; check the UPPCL portal
PM Surya Ghar national portal	MNRE guidelines (July 2025), clause 6(h): up to 10 kW deemed accepted; the portal tracker shows "Feasibility Approval" or "Feasibility Waived-off". Until the state operationalises this, upload feasibility documents wherever the state still asks

Quick facts

Issued by	Local DISCOM
Purpose	Grid technical acceptance of proposed solar
Timeline	Up to 10 kW: deemed accepted. Above 10 kW: 15 days under the central rule; state rules vary
Documents	SLD, electricity bill, ownership, specs
Fees	Set by each state, e.g. Rs 2,500 for LT in Telangana, Rs 1,000 for LV and MV in West Bengal
Next step	Installation, then net metering application
Authority	Rights of Consumers Rules, State Commission regulations, CEA technical standards

Common mistakes about feasibility clearance

1. Starting installation before clearance or deemed acceptance. Compliance violation.
2. Wrong sanction load assumption. Triggers denial.
3. Incomplete documentation. Delays processing.
4. Wrong SLD specifications. Technical rejection.
5. Skipping site verification. DISCOM requests redo.
6. No follow-up. Application stalls.
7. Assuming national standard. State-specific patterns.
8. Mixing with net metering approval. Different steps.

Key takeaways

• Feasibility clearance is DISCOM's technical OK for solar grid connection.
• First regulatory step before installation (waived by deemed acceptance up to 10 kW).
• Up to 10 kW a complete application is deemed accepted; above 10 kW the central limit is 15 days, with state rules varying.
• Documents include SLD, bills, ownership, plant specs.
• State-specific processes; PM Surya Ghar integrates flow nationally.
• Distinct from net metering approval (post-installation).
• Required for subsidy disbursement and project finance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• State DISCOM net metering portals. Application process and timelines.
• CEA Technical Standards for Connectivity. Grid connection norms. cea.nic.in
• SERC regulations. State-specific net metering rules.
• MNRE solar rooftop guidelines. mnre.gov.in
• PM Surya Ghar portal. Standardised feasibility flow. pmsuryaghar.gov.in
• Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2024. Rule 11, G.S.R. 125(E), 22 Feb 2024. Gazette copy
• State regulations cited in the table. MERC (2024), TGERC (2025), WBERC (2025), GERC, BESCOM Common SOP
• Forum of Indian Regulators publications. Best practice frameworks.