Imagine powering your home with clean energy from your rooftop and cutting your electricity bills significantly. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by the Indian Government in early 2024, makes this possible.¹ The scheme’s main draw? Eligible households can get up to 300 units of free electricity every month by installing rooftop solar panels.¹ Aiming to bring solar power to one crore homes by 2026-27, this initiative tackles rising electricity costs and promotes a sustainable energy future for India.¹

What is the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?

This is a centrally sponsored scheme offering subsidies for installing grid-connected Rooftop Solar (RTS) systems on homes.¹ Launched in February 2024 ¹ under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) ⁴, it has a budget of ₹75,021 crore and runs until FY 2026-27.¹

Key Goals:

• Install rooftop solar in one crore homes.¹
• Provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly.¹
• Save families ₹15,000-₹18,000 annually on bills.²
• Add 30 GW of residential solar capacity.²
• Reduce CO2 emissions by 720 million tonnes over system lifetimes.²
• Create around 17 lakh jobs and boost domestic manufacturing.²

Applications are managed via a National Portal.¹ Local Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) usually handle state-level implementation, feasibility checks, grid connection, and metering.¹ DISCOMs are incentivized to promote the scheme.⁴

Are You Eligible?

You likely qualify if:

• You are an Indian citizen.¹
• You own a house in India with a suitable roof.¹
• Your roof can support the panels.¹
• You have a valid electricity connection in a household member’s name.¹
• You haven’t received other solar panel subsidies for this connection.¹

Renters might be eligible if the electricity connection is in their name and they get the owner’s permission.²⁶ If you previously got a subsidy for a smaller system, you might get support to add capacity under this scheme.¹⁰

Benefits of Joining

1. Financial Savings:

• Free Electricity: Potentially get up to 300 units free each month.¹
• Lower Bills: Save ₹15,000 – ₹18,000+ annually.⁴
• Earn Income: Sell surplus power back to the grid via net metering.²

2. Government Subsidy (Central Financial Assistance – CFA):

The subsidy reduces the upfront cost based on system size:

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana – Subsidy Structure

System Capacity (kWp)	Typical Avg. Monthly Consumption (Units)	Subsidy Amount (₹) – General States	Subsidy Amount (₹) – Special Category States*
Up to 2 kWp	0-150	₹ 30,000 per kWp (Max ₹ 60,000)	₹ 33,000 per kWp (Max ₹ 66,000)
Above 2 kWp and up to 3 kWp	150-300	₹ 60,000 + ₹ 18,000 for the 3rd kWp	₹ 66,000 + ₹ 19,800 for the 3rd kWp
Total for 3 kWp		₹ 78,000	₹ 85,800
Above 3 kWp	> 300	Capped at ₹ 78,000	Capped at ₹ 85,800

*Special Category States: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, North Eastern States including Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.¹⁰

(Data synthesized from: ¹)

The subsidy is based on the DC capacity (kWp) of the panels, capped at 3 kWp ², and transferred directly to your bank account (or loan account) usually within 30 days of commissioning.³

3. Easy Financing:

• Collateral-Free Loans: Available for systems up to 3 kW.³
• Low Interest: Rates around 7%, linked to the RBI repo rate.³
• Bank Access: Offered by multiple Public Sector Banks.² Some states may offer extra help.¹¹

This combination aims to make solar affordable for many households.¹

4. Environmental and National Benefits:

• Cleaner Energy: Reduce your carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.²
• Grid Support: Improve grid stability and reduce transmission losses.⁶
• Energy Security: Decrease fuel imports and boost domestic manufacturing (‘Make in India’).²
• Job Creation: Support around 17 lakh jobs in the solar sector.²

How to Apply Online (via National Portal)

The process is online via the National Portal: https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/.¹

Steps:

1. Register: Visit the portal, select your State/DISCOM, enter consumer number, mobile (verify OTP), and email (verify OTP).¹
2. Apply: Log in and fill out the ‘Apply for Rooftop Solar’ form.¹
3. Await Approval: DISCOM checks technical feasibility and notifies you via the portal.⁷
4. Install: Once approved, select a vendor registered with your DISCOM from the portal list. Sign an agreement and get the system installed.¹ Using a non-registered vendor makes you ineligible for subsidy.³⁰
5. Submit Details: Log in, submit installation details (photos may be needed), and apply for a net meter.⁷
6. Inspection: DISCOM inspects the system and net meter. A Commissioning Certificate is generated on the portal upon approval.⁷
7. Claim Subsidy: Log in, provide bank details, and upload a cancelled cheque.⁷
8. Receive Subsidy: The approved amount is credited to your account (or loan account) within about 30 days.³

Likely Documents Needed ⁷:

• ID & Address Proof
• Latest Electricity Bill
• Roof Ownership Proof (or owner’s NOC if renting)
• Cancelled Cheque
• Photograph (possibly)
• Photo of installed system

The National Portal connects you, the vendor, and the DISCOM.⁷ Use benchmark costs on the portal to negotiate a fair price with your chosen vendor.¹⁴

Key Things to Know

• System Size: Choose based on consumption and roof space. The portal has tools to help.¹ Generally, 1-2 kWp for 0-150 units/month, 2-3 kWp for 150-300 units/month.²
• ‘Made in India’ Required (DCR): Solar cells and modules must be domestically manufactured to get the subsidy.² Confirm this with your vendor.
• Vendor Choice & Agreement:

• Use only vendors registered with your DISCOM via the portal.¹
• Sign a formal agreement covering scope, cost, warranty, maintenance, etc..³⁰ Use benchmark costs as a price reference.¹⁴
• Quality & Warranty:

• System must meet MNRE/BIS technical standards.¹⁰
• Vendor must provide a minimum 5-year warranty on the entire system and a 5-year free Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC).¹⁴

Scheme Progress & Impact

The scheme is gaining momentum:

• Adoption: By early March 2025, 10 lakh homes were solar-powered, with 47.3 lakh applications received and ₹4,770 crore in subsidies disbursed.² Installations later crossed 8.5 lakh ⁴, with a significantly higher monthly rate than before the scheme.²⁰
• Financing: Over 3 lakh loan applications received, with significant sanctions and disbursements.²
• Leading States: Gujarat leads, with Kerala, UP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu also showing strong progress.²
• Model Solar Villages: One village per district will be selected for comprehensive solarization (homes, common facilities) with dedicated funding, serving as rural models.³
• Overall Impact: On track for 30 GW residential solar capacity, significant CO2 reduction, and creating ~17 lakh jobs.²

This rapid growth requires the solar ecosystem (manufacturers, installers, DISCOMs) to scale effectively.⁵

Need Help? Official Resources

• National Portal: https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/ – Main source for guidelines, FAQs, vendor lists, application.¹ Check the ‘Knowledge Center’.⁵
• Consumer Portal: https://consumer.pmsuryaghar.gov.in/consumer/ – For registration/login.²⁴
• Mobile App: “PM – SURYA GHAR” app available on Google Play Store.³⁵
• Helpline: Check the official portal’s ‘Contact Us’ section for the latest verified number.²⁴ Some non-official sources mention 15555.²³
• DISCOM Helpdesks: Your local DISCOM should have helpdesks.¹⁴
• Grievance Redressal: Use the National Portal or potentially a National Call Centre.¹⁴

Conclusion: Embrace Solar, Empower Your Future

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a fantastic opportunity for homeowners to switch to clean energy, save money, potentially earn income, and contribute to India’s green goals. With significant subsidies and easy financing, rooftop solar is more accessible than ever.

Visit the official National Portal https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/ to learn more, check your eligibility, and start your solar journey today.