What is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the Government of India's rooftop solar scheme for homes, run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It helps households install grid-connected rooftop solar by paying a central subsidy (central financial assistance) directly into the homeowner's bank account. Your rooftop system produces electricity during the day; what you do not use is exported to the grid through a net meter and adjusted in your electricity bill.
The only official place to apply is pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Registration on the portal is free.
How much subsidy can you get?
The subsidy is calculated on the capacity of your rooftop system:
| Rooftop system size | How it is calculated | Central subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1 × ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | 2 × ₹30,000 | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW | ₹60,000 + ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW | ₹78,000 |
| Above 3 kW | Capped at the 3 kW amount | ₹78,000 (maximum) |
Choosing the right system size
Size your system on your average monthly units (kWh) from the last 12 electricity bills, not on a single summer bill. As a rule of thumb, 1 kW of rooftop solar generates about 4–5 units a day, or 120–150 units a month.
| Average monthly consumption | Suggested system size | Typical generation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–150 units | 1–2 kW | 120–300 units/month |
| 150–300 units | 2–3 kW | 240–450 units/month |
| Above 300 units | Above 3 kW | 360+ units/month |
Who is eligible?
- The applicant is an Indian citizen and the household owns a house with a roof suitable for solar panels.
- The household has a valid domestic (residential) electricity connection in its own name.
- The household has not already received any other subsidy for rooftop solar.
The subsidy described here is for residential households. Shops, offices and factories can still install rooftop solar and use net metering, but they are not covered by this household subsidy.
Why DCR panels matter
To qualify for the subsidy, the system must use DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) solar panels: modules manufactured in India using Indian-made solar cells. Non-DCR panels can work well technically, but a system built with them is not eligible for PM Surya Ghar subsidy. Always ask for the DCR certificate and panel serial numbers at installation; they are needed for the subsidy claim.
Read more: DCR vs Non-DCR solar panels (SolarConnect).
How to apply, step by step
- Register on the portal. Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in, choose West Bengal and your electricity distribution company (WBSEDCL or CESC), and enter your consumer number, mobile number and email.
- Apply for rooftop solar. Log in with your consumer number and mobile, then fill in the rooftop solar application.
- Feasibility approval. Wait for technical feasibility approval from your DISCOM.
- Installation by a registered vendor. Once approved, the system is installed by a registered vendor using DCR panels. With us, SolarConnect handles the installation and the registered vendor is Pro Power Energies.
- Net meter and inspection. Submit the plant details and apply for a net meter. The DISCOM installs the net meter and inspects the system.
- Commissioning. After a successful inspection, a commissioning certificate is generated on the portal.
- Subsidy credit. Submit your bank account details and a cancelled cheque on the portal. The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account.
Net metering in West Bengal
In Hooghly and most of West Bengal the distribution company is WBSEDCL; parts of Kolkata, Howrah and some Hooghly areas are served by CESC. Your net meter records both the electricity you import from the grid and the solar electricity you export, and your bill is adjusted on the difference. Rules and charges are set by the DISCOM and the state regulator, so check your DISCOM's current process.
Helpful reading: CESC vs WBSEDCL net metering for Kolkata and Hooghly and how net metering works.
Who does what?
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| SB TECH | Authorised SolarConnect partner in Hooghly: first contact, guidance, roof and bill assessment, and help with paperwork. |
| SolarConnect India | Solar brand of Techsr Enterprise: plans and handles the installation. |
| Pro Power Energies | The registered PM Surya Ghar vendor for subsidy-eligible installations. |
| Your DISCOM (WBSEDCL / CESC) | Feasibility approval, net meter, inspection and commissioning. |
| Government of India (MNRE) | Releases the subsidy to your bank account through the national portal. |
Frequently asked questions
How much subsidy do I get for a 1 kW, 2 kW or 3 kW rooftop solar system?
Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana the central financial assistance is Rs 30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and Rs 18,000 for the 3rd kW. That works out to Rs 30,000 for 1 kW, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW. Rs 78,000 is the maximum, so systems larger than 3 kW also receive Rs 78,000.
Who is eligible for the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar subsidy?
An Indian residential household that owns a house with a roof suitable for solar panels, has a valid domestic electricity connection in its own name and has not already received another subsidy for rooftop solar.
Where do I apply for the subsidy?
Only on the official national portal, pmsuryaghar.gov.in (or the official PM Surya Ghar app). Registration is free. Be careful of websites or callers that ask for money to "register" you.
Is SB TECH a registered PM Surya Ghar vendor?
No. SB TECH is an authorised partner of SolarConnect India and provides local guidance. Installations are handled by SolarConnect, and Pro Power Energies is the registered PM Surya Ghar vendor through which subsidy-eligible installations are processed.
Do I need DCR solar panels to get the subsidy?
Yes. The subsidy applies to systems that use DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) solar panels, meaning panels made in India with Indian-made solar cells, installed by a registered vendor.
How many units will a 3 kW rooftop solar system generate?
As a rule of thumb, 1 kW of rooftop solar generates about 4 to 5 units a day, or 120 to 150 units a month. A 3 kW system therefore generates roughly 360 to 450 units a month, depending on sunlight, roof direction, shading and cleaning.
How is the subsidy paid?
After the system is installed, the net meter is fitted and the DISCOM inspects and commissions the plant, you submit your bank details on the portal. The subsidy is then credited directly to your bank account by the Government.
What system size should I choose?
Official guidance suggests 1 to 2 kW for an average monthly consumption up to 150 units, 2 to 3 kW for 150 to 300 units, and above 3 kW for more than 300 units. Use our solar calculator for a quick estimate from your bill.
This guide summarises the scheme for general information. Scheme rules can change; the official portal pmsuryaghar.gov.in and mnre.gov.in are the final authority.
Want help with your application?
Talk to SB TECH in Hooghly. We will check your bill and roof and explain the next steps.
