Solar subsidies & schemes
What the government pays towards your system, who qualifies, and how to apply — for homes, businesses and farms.
Households start here
PM Surya Ghar, explained for Karnataka →
How much you get, whether you qualify, the DCR rule, the MESCOM and HESCOM steps, and the mistakes that cost people the subsidy.
Residential
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
The central rooftop-solar scheme for homes. The subsidy lands directly in your bank account after commissioning and inspection.
Subsidy for residential households
| Up to 2 kW | ₹30,000 per kW |
| Additional capacity up to 3 kW | ₹18,000 per kW |
| Systems larger than 3 kW Total subsidy is capped here | ₹78,000 |
- A 1 kW system draws ₹30,000; 2 kW draws ₹60,000; 3 kW and above draws the ₹78,000 ceiling.
- Special-category states get an additional 10% subsidy per kW.
Documents needed
- Recent electricity bill (RR number)
- Aadhaar, linked mobile number
- Bank passbook / cancelled cheque
- Proof of roof ownership
How to apply
- Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your RR number
- Pick a registered vendor and submit the feasibility application
- Install after MESCOM feasibility approval
- Net meter installed, plant inspected & commissioned
- Subsidy credited to your bank account
Source: pmsuryaghar.gov.in
Housing society / RWA
Subsidy for group housing societies & RWAs
Apartment complexes and resident welfare associations get a separate rate for shared infrastructure.
Subsidy for GHS / RWA
| Common facilities, including EV charging Up to 500 kW capacity (@3 kW per house) | ₹18,000 per kW |
- The upper limit is inclusive of individual rooftop plants already installed by individual residents in the society.
Source: pmsuryaghar.gov.in
Good to know
What size roof plant suits your bill?
The national portal's own sizing guide for households. Our calculator works this out more precisely from your actual bill.
Suitable rooftop solar plant capacity for households
| 0–150 units a month | 1–2 kW |
| 150–300 units a month | 2–3 kW |
| Above 300 units a month | Above 3 kW |
Source: pmsuryaghar.gov.in
Commercial & industrial
Depreciation & net metering
- No direct capital subsidy — but businesses can claim 40% accelerated depreciation on the solar asset, a large effective tax saving in the first years.
- Net metering (up to sanctioned load, per KERC rules) offsets daytime consumption at retail tariff.
- Third-party / OPEX models let you go solar with zero capital cost — the developer owns the plant and sells you power cheaper than the grid.
Agricultural
PM-KUSUM for farms
- Component B — standalone solar pumps: central + state subsidy covers the bulk of the pump cost for off-grid farms.
- Component C — solarise an existing grid-connected pump and feed surplus power back for credit.
- Applications route through MESCOM / the agriculture department — watch announcements, allocations open in batches.
Frequently asked
- Do I have to use a registered vendor?
- Yes — the PM Surya Ghar subsidy is only paid for installations by vendors empanelled on the national portal.
- How long does the subsidy take to arrive?
- Typically within 30 days of commissioning and inspection, straight to your bank account.
- Does battery storage get a subsidy?
- No — the central subsidy covers the grid-connected PV system only. Batteries are your own cost.
- Can tenants apply?
- The electricity connection and roof need to be in the applicant's name — tenants need the owner to apply.
Not sure what size system suits your bill?
Run the solar calculator →