How the PM Surya Ghar subsidy works
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the Indian government's central subsidy scheme for residential rooftop solar. Here's how the subsidy amount is decided, how it's paid out, and what else affects your final cost.
At a glance, 10-second read
- ▸₹30,000 for 1kW, ₹60,000 for 2kW, ₹78,000 for 3kW+, same in every state.
- ▸Paid by direct bank transfer after commissioning, never through the vendor.
- ▸Some states stack a top-up on this (Gujarat +₹10k/kW, Rajasthan +₹8k/kW).
- ▸Housing societies get a separate ₹18,000/kW for common facilities.
Central subsidy slabs
| System size | Central subsidy |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW and above | ₹78,000 (capped) |
The subsidy is capped at 3kW, a 5kW system gets the same ₹78,000 as a 3kW system, since the household subsidy scheme is meant to cover typical residential consumption, not larger installations.
The scheme, explained by the government (2 min)
PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, MNRE / Central Bureau of CommunicationOfficial Government of India video (Central Bureau of Communication). Loads only when you press play.
How it's paid out
The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account after DISCOM inspection and commissioning of your system, not deducted upfront from the installer's quote. Typical timeline from application to subsidy receipt is 45-90 days, though this varies by state and DISCOM backlog.
State top-ups stack on top
Several states add their own incentive on top of the central subsidy. This is separate money from a different budget, so it's additive, not a replacement:
- Delhi: GBI (varies) (Generation-based incentive historically offered under Delhi Solar Policy, verify current status)
- Rajasthan: +₹8,000/kW state subsidy
- Uttar Pradesh: +₹15,000 flat (SC/ST households only)
- Uttarakhand: Varies (State top-up announced for hill-district households, amount and status vary, verify with UREDA before counting on it)
- Gujarat: +₹10,000/kW state subsidy
- Maharashtra: +₹6,000/kW (Rural households, 1-3kW systems only)
- Odisha: Varies by kW (State top-up announced under Odisha's rooftop solar push, slab-linked, verify current disbursal status with OREDA)
- Assam: Varies (State top-up announced under Assam's solar mission for eligible households, verify current status with APDCL)
Every other state and UT currently offers the central subsidy only, see thefull state-wise comparison.
₹18,000/kW for housing societies (GHS/RWA)
- ✓Group Housing Societies and RWAs get ₹18,000 per kW of central subsidy for solar on common facilities, lifts, pumps, common-area lighting, EV charging.
- ✓Capped at 500kW of capacity (at 3kW per house), including individual rooftop plants already installed by residents.
- ✓The society applies as a single entity on the PM Surya Ghar portal; the subsidy goes to the society's account.
Collateral-free solar loan at ~7%
- ✓Under PM Surya Ghar, banks offer collateral-free loans of up to ₹2 lakh for residential rooftop systems up to 3kW.
- ✓Interest is capped at roughly 7% p.a. (pegged to repo rate + 0.5%), far below typical personal-loan rates of 11-16%.
- ✓Available through most public sector banks; apply via the Jan Samarth portal or your bank branch with your PM Surya Ghar application ID.
- ✓The subsidy (up to ₹78,000) can be used to prepay the loan once it lands in your account.
Work out your EMI on this loan
Documents typically needed
- Latest electricity bill (proof of consumer number and DISCOM)
- Proof of roof ownership or no-objection certificate for the property
- Aadhaar and PAN for the applicant
- Bank account details for subsidy disbursal
Exact document requirements can vary slightly by DISCOM, check your state's calculator page above or the official portal before applying.
Official portals, apply & verify here
We are not affiliated with any government body. Applications and current scheme rules live on these official portals, never pay anyone to "arrange" the subsidy for you.
Scheme terms are updated periodically by the government, treat the figures above as accurate as of this guide's last update, and confirm current numbers on the official portal before applying.