India's most ambitious rooftop solar program — PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana — is transforming how 1 crore Indian households generate and consume electricity. With a government budget of ₹75,021 crore, this scheme offers direct subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for installing a 3 kW+ rooftop solar system.
Once installed, a qualifying household receives up to 300 units of free electricity per month. After the system pays for itself in just 2–3 years, every unit generated is essentially free for the remaining 20+ years of the panel's lifespan.
₹78,000
Maximum central subsidy for 3 kW+ system
1 Crore
Target households to benefit from the scheme
25 Years
Typical solar panel operational lifespan
Subsidy Slabs: How Much Will You Get?
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) in a tiered structure:
1 kW System
₹30,000
Central subsidy (₹30,000/kW)
Installation: ₹55,000–₹65,000
Net Cost: ₹25,000–₹35,000
Generates ~120 units/month
2 kW System
₹60,000
Central subsidy (₹30,000/kW)
Installation: ₹1,10,000–₹1,25,000
Net Cost: ₹50,000–₹65,000
Generates ~240 units/month
3 kW System (Recommended)
₹78,000
Maximum central subsidy · Capped at 3 kW equivalent
Installation
₹1.6–₹1.8 lakh
Net Cost
₹82k–₹1.02 lakh
Monthly Units
~360 units
Payback Period
~2.8 years
Financial Return: What's My ROI?
Let's model a 3 kW system in Maharashtra or Karnataka with an average domestic tariff of ₹8.00/unit:
| System Size | 3 kW |
| Annual units generated | ~4,320 kWh |
| Value of generated power @ ₹8/unit | ₹34,560/year |
| Annual maintenance (cleaning, AMC) | ~₹2,000/year |
| Net Annual Savings | ~₹32,560/year |
| Net Customer Cost (after ₹78k subsidy) | ~₹90,000 |
| ⏱️ Payback Period | ~2.76 years |
🏆 The Long-Term Picture
After payback in under 3 years, the solar system generates free electricity for 22+ more years — yielding over ₹7 Lakh in cumulative lifetime savings at current tariff rates (and significantly more as tariffs rise over the decades).
Step-by-Step Application Process
Register on the Portal
Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in or download the Sandes app. Register using your state, DISCOM name, consumer number, mobile, and email.
Receive Feasibility Approval
DISCOM officials inspect and approve if the local transformer can support net-metering and your sanctioned load allows the new system.
Install via Approved Vendor
Select only DISCOM-registered vendors using ALMM-certified (Made in India) solar panels. Only these qualify for the central subsidy.
Net Meter Installation
Submit installation details. DISCOM installs a bidirectional net meter that tracks both energy imported from and exported to the grid.
Subsidy Credited Directly
Upload your bank details and a photo of the commissioned net meter. The Central Financial Assistance (subsidy) is credited within 30 days.
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