Delhi residents looking to install rooftop solar may be eligible for support under the national PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and Delhi’s state-level solar support. The exact amount, payment route, and consumer contribution depend on the current scheme rules, electricity distributor, system capacity, household consumption, and the selected installation model.
The central PM Surya Ghar scheme provides ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 per kW for the additional capacity up to 3 kW, making the maximum central subsidy ₹78,000 for eligible residential systems. (Source: PM Surya Ghar official portal)
Delhi’s current programme may provide additional state support, including support of up to ₹78,000 in the model reported for eligible households. However, do not assume that every applicant will receive the same total amount or that every installation will be completely free. Confirm the current terms on the official Delhi Solar Portal and with the authorised vendor before signing a quotation.
Quick Answer
Eligible domestic electricity consumers in Delhi can apply for rooftop solar through the PM Surya Ghar process and the relevant Delhi solar portal or DISCOM workflow. The central subsidy is calculated mainly on eligible rooftop-solar capacity up to 3 kW. Delhi may provide additional state assistance under its current programme. Eligibility, documents, roof rights, electricity-consumption limits, vendor selection, net-metering approval, and installation verification all matter.
At a Glance
| Question | Practical Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is this guide for? | Domestic electricity consumers in Delhi who want grid-connected rooftop solar. |
| Main central scheme | PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. |
| Central support calculation | ₹30,000/kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000/kW for the additional capacity up to 3 kW. |
| Maximum central support | ₹78,000 for eligible residential systems. |
| Is Delhi support additional? | Delhi may provide additional state assistance under its current programme; verify the latest terms before applying. |
| Is every system free? | No. Zero-upfront or low-contribution models depend on eligibility, consumption, scheme pool, vendor quotation, and approval. |
| Is a battery required? | Not necessarily. Grid-connected rooftop systems generally use an inverter and net-metering arrangement; backup needs may require a battery. |
| Is net metering automatic? | No. The DISCOM or relevant utility process must be completed and approved. |
What is the Delhi Rooftop Solar Subsidy?
The support has two layers:
- Central financial assistance: Provided under PM Surya Ghar for eligible residential grid-connected rooftop systems.
- Delhi state support: Delhi’s solar programme may provide additional capital support, generation-based benefits, or a vendor-supported installation model, depending on the current rules.
The central support is not calculated on unlimited capacity. Under the published PM Surya Ghar structure, the first 2 kW receives ₹30,000 per kW and the additional 1 kW up to 3 kW receives ₹18,000. Capacity above 3 kW does not receive additional central assistance under that structure.
Central Subsidy Examples
| Eligible System Capacity | Central Subsidy Calculation | Maximum Central Support |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 × 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹30,000 × 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW | ₹60,000 + ₹18,000 | ₹78,000 |
| Above 3 kW | No additional central support beyond the 3 kW structure | ₹78,000 maximum under the cited structure |
*These figures describe the central component only. They are not a final quotation, final consumer contribution, or guaranteed total Delhi benefit.
Who May Be Eligible?
A typical residential applicant should expect to meet conditions such as:
- Being a domestic electricity consumer in Delhi.
- Having a valid electricity connection and consumer/account number.
- Installing a grid-connected rooftop solar system through the approved process.
- Having a suitable roof, terrace, balcony, or elevated structure where permitted by the scheme and utility.
- Having ownership, occupancy or roof-use rights, or the required owner/RWA permission.
- Selecting a vendor through the applicable official process.
- Completing the required DISCOM/net-metering process.
- Providing correct identity, electricity, and banking information.
- Passing installation and inspection or verification requirements.
The exact eligibility can vary by electricity distributor and programme route. For example, BSES material describes assistance for eligible residential domestic consumers and GHS/RWA common facilities, while TPDDL states that the applicant must be the registered consumer and provide valid identity and site-ownership proof.
What If I Live in a Flat?
A flat owner should not assume that they can independently use the building roof. Check the following before paying a vendor:
- Who controls the terrace or roof?
- Is the roof an individual area or a common area?
- Does the society/RWA require written approval?
- Is the electricity connection in your name?
- Can the proposed system be connected to your meter?
- Is there enough shadow-free area?
- Is the roof structurally suitable?
- Are common-area installations being considered separately?
For group housing societies and RWAs, the process may involve common facilities such as lifts, water pumps, lighting, security systems, or EV charging. BSES guidance describes support for GHS/RWA common facilities, including EV charging, subject to the applicable capacity and programme conditions.
Is There an Income or Electricity-Use Condition?
The national central subsidy is primarily linked to an eligible residential rooftop system and scheme conditions. Delhi’s current state programme may use additional household-consumption or programme-pool conditions for zero-upfront or special installation models. Recent reports describe a Delhi plan focused on households using up to 400 units per month, but the consumer contribution and route can depend on the selected programme model.
Therefore, do not decide eligibility only from a news headline. Check your latest bills, calculate your average usage, enter your consumer details on the official portal, and ask the selected vendor to show the written programme terms.
How to Apply Online
The process can involve more than one portal. A practical sequence is:
- Check your electricity connection: Find your consumer/account number on the latest electricity bill. Confirm the name, address, DISCOM, and registered mobile number.
- Register on the national portal: Use the official PM Surya Ghar consumer process. The consumer registration flow uses mobile verification and asks for consumer and electricity-connection details.
- Select the state and DISCOM: Choose Delhi and the correct electricity distributor. Do not select a neighbouring state or the wrong DISCOM merely because a vendor suggests it.
- Choose an authorised or applicable vendor: Compare at least two quotations. Check panel and inverter brands, capacity, structure, wiring, earthing, protection equipment, net-metering work, warranty, maintenance, and payment stages.
- Complete feasibility and net-metering work: The vendor may assist with the DISCOM application. The utility may check feasibility, documents, sanctioned load, site details, and connection requirements.
- Install the system: Do not allow installation before confirming the approved capacity, roof rights, equipment specifications, safety design, and written quotation.
- Inspection and meter process: After installation, the utility or authorised process may require inspection, commissioning documents, and a bidirectional/net meter arrangement where applicable.
- Submit or confirm subsidy documentation: Make sure the vendor uploads or submits the required documents through the correct portal. Keep the acknowledgement, application number, invoice, commissioning report, and payment records.
- Track the application: Use the official consumer login or relevant portal to check status. Do not rely only on a vendor’s WhatsApp message.
Documents Commonly Required
Prepare clear, matching documents. The exact checklist can vary by portal, DISCOM, and ownership situation.
- Latest paid electricity bill.
- Consumer/account number.
- Applicant identity proof.
- Registered mobile number.
- Bank account details or cancelled cheque, where required.
- PAN details, where required.
- Address or occupancy proof.
- Roof ownership or roof-use proof.
- Owner consent or NOC, if the applicant is not the roof owner.
- Tenant NOC, where applicable.
- RWA/society approval for common-area work.
- Vendor quotation and agreement.
- Installation photographs.
- Commissioning or inspection documents.
- Net-metering application documents.
How Much Does a 3 kW System Cost After Subsidy?
There is no single Delhi-wide final price. Your net payable amount depends on panel technology, inverter type, mounting structure, roof height/access, wiring length, earthing/protection, civil work, net-metering fees, battery requirements, AMC terms, and your specific subsidy eligibility.
Use this basic calculation only as a planning model:
Estimated consumer contribution = Eligible project cost − applicable central support − applicable Delhi support + non-subsidised work + optional battery and extra work.
Do not treat the result as an official subsidy calculation until the portal, DISCOM, and approved vendor confirm it.
Will My Electricity Bill Become Zero?
Not necessarily. A rooftop solar system may reduce electricity purchases from the grid, but your final bill can still include fixed charges, meter charges, taxes, electricity imported at night, consumption above the system’s generation, and backup-related costs.
Is Battery Storage Included?
The central residential rooftop subsidy structure is for eligible grid-connected rooftop solar. A battery may not be included in the subsidised base installation. If you need backup during power cuts, ask for a separate line item showing battery chemistry, usable capacity, backup load/duration, inverter compatibility, warranty, and replacement cost.
How to Choose a Solar Vendor
Before signing, ask for a written quotation that separately lists:
- System capacity in kW.
- Panel make, model, and technology.
- Inverter make and model.
- Mounting structure material.
- DC and AC cables.
- Earthing and lightning protection.
- Monitoring system.
- Installation and civil work.
- Net-metering assistance.
- Inspection and commissioning support.
- Warranty terms.
- AMC or cleaning charges.
- Payment milestones.
- Refund or cancellation terms.
- Expected generation assumptions.
- Subsidy responsibility and timeline.
Avoid a vendor who promises a fixed subsidy without checking your consumer account, roof rights, and current official rules.
Delhi DISCOM Process Differences
Do not assume one generic process applies identically to every Delhi consumer. The relevant utility may be BRPL, BYPL, TPDDL, NDMC, or another applicable connection authority. Their portals, forms, contacts, and document instructions differ. Always identify the distributor from the electricity bill before starting.
Common Reasons for Delay or Rejection
- Wrong consumer/account number.
- Applicant name does not match the electricity connection.
- Incorrect mobile number.
- Roof-rights or NOC proof is missing.
- Latest paid bill is not provided.
- Vendor submits an incorrect capacity.
- Roof has excessive shade or structural limitations.
- Sanctioned load or technical feasibility is inadequate.
- Inverter or panel specification does not match requirements.
- Bank details are incorrect.
- Installation photographs or commissioning documents are incomplete.
- Applicant uses the wrong portal or DISCOM process.
Delhi Solar Subsidy FAQ
Can every Delhi household get free rooftop solar?
No. Eligibility and consumer contribution depend on the current Delhi programme, monthly consumption, electricity connection, roof conditions, vendor route, and available scheme conditions.
What is the maximum central solar subsidy?
Under the PM Surya Ghar structure, the maximum central support for eligible residential rooftop systems is ₹78,000, calculated up to 3 kW.
Does Delhi provide an additional subsidy?
Delhi may provide additional state support under its current programme. The amount and eligibility should be confirmed on the Delhi Solar Portal and in the written vendor terms.
Can a tenant apply for rooftop solar?
Possibly, but roof-use rights, owner consent, electricity-connection ownership, and utility requirements must be checked. A tenant should obtain written permission before installation.
Can a flat owner install panels on the society roof?
Not automatically. The flat owner may need RWA/society approval and must confirm roof rights, meter connection, structural feasibility, and utility requirements.
Is net metering compulsory?
A grid-connected rooftop system may require the applicable utility connectivity and meter process. Confirm the current procedure with your DISCOM.
How long does approval take?
There is no universal timeline. It depends on the DISCOM, application completeness, feasibility, vendor workload, and inspection process.
Can I choose any solar company?
Use the vendor-selection route required by the active scheme and verify whether the vendor is authorised or eligible for the relevant portal.
Does a 3 kW system always produce the same electricity?
No. Generation depends on sunlight, shade, panel orientation, temperature, dust, inverter performance, maintenance, and system downtime.
Should I install solar if my monthly usage is low?
Compare your annual consumption, roof conditions, subsidy eligibility, fixed charges, net-metering rules, and expected payback. A site survey and written quotation are required to make a final decision.
Final Checklist
Before you apply:
- Identify your DISCOM.
- Check the latest official central and Delhi scheme terms.
- Calculate your average electricity use.
- Confirm roof rights and shadow-free area.
- Collect documents.
- Compare written quotations.
- Confirm subsidy and consumer-contribution terms in writing.
- Apply through the correct official route.
- Track the application number.
- Keep every invoice, approval, photograph, and commissioning document.
Official Sources
- PM Surya Ghar Official Portal
- PM Surya Ghar Consumer Registration
- Delhi Solar Portal
- NDMC Net-Metering Request
- BSES Net-Metering Information
- TPDDL Net-Metering Information
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and is not a government notification, legal opinion, electrical-engineering advice, or subsidy approval. Subsidy amounts, application routes, eligibility, tariffs, document requirements, and vendor rules may change. Confirm the latest information through the official portal, your electricity distributor, and the authorised vendor before installing solar or paying money.