PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Free Electricity & Subsidy 2026

Your electricity bill goes up every year. But what if you could generate your own electricity - for free - right from your rooftop?

That is exactly what the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana makes possible for Indian households. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024, this flagship government scheme provides up to ₹78,000 in direct subsidy to install rooftop solar panels - and delivers up to 300 units of free electricity every month.

Over 40 lakh households across India have already solarised under this scheme. Gujarat alone leads the country with over 3.2 GW of rooftop solar installed.

If you are considering solar for your home in 2026, this is the most complete guide you will find. We cover everything - what the scheme is, who is eligible, how much subsidy you get, what documents you need, and how to apply step by step.

What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana - officially called PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana - is a central government initiative under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It was launched on 13 February 2024 with a budget of ₹75,021 crore, making it the largest residential solar programme in India's history.

The scheme has a single, clear goal: install rooftop solar on 1 crore (10 million) Indian households and give them access to free electricity.

Under this pm muft bijli yojana, the government provides:

• A direct subsidy of up to ₹78,000 credited to your bank account after installation
• Up to 300 units of free electricity per month through net metering
• Access to collateral-free loans from empanelled banks at affordable interest rates

This is not a complicated scheme. It is designed for regular homeowners - and the application is entirely online.

Key Benefits of the Scheme

Benefit	Details
Free electricity	Up to 300 units per month
Government subsidy	Up to ₹78,000 directly to your bank account
Reduced electricity bills	Near-zero bills for average households
Earn from surplus power	Sell extra units back to DISCOM via net metering
Long-term savings	₹13–22 lakh saved over 25 years
Payback period	2–4 years post-subsidy
Environment	Reduce CO₂ emissions over the panel's 25-year life

The pm solar ghar yojana also creates a major economic benefit at the national level - approximately 17 lakh jobs are expected to be created in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance across the country.

Subsidy Structure - How Much Will You Get?

The subsidy under the pm solar panel yojana is calculated based on the size of the solar system you install. It is paid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly to your bank account within 30 days of commissioning.

System Size	Government Subsidy	System Cost (Approx.)	Net Cost After Subsidy
1 kW	₹30,000	₹60,000–₹70,000	₹30,000–₹40,000
2 kW	₹60,000	₹1,20,000–₹1,40,000	₹60,000–₹80,000
3 kW	₹78,000	₹1,80,000–₹2,00,000	₹1,00,000–₹1,20,000
4 kW	₹78,000	₹2,40,000–₹2,70,000	₹1,60,000–₹1,90,000
5 kW	₹78,000	₹3,00,000–₹3,40,000	₹2,20,000–₹2,60,000

Important: The subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW and above. From a financial perspective, a 3 kW system is the sweet spot for most Indian households - you get the maximum subsidy and cover most of your daily electricity needs.

For residential housing societies, a separate subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW is available for common-area solar installations up to 500 kW.

Who is Eligible?

The pm surya ghar bijli yojana is designed for residential households. Here is who can apply:

You are eligible if:

• You are an Indian citizen
• You own a residential property with a rooftop (flat or sloped)
• Your home has an active electricity connection registered with your local DISCOM
• Your electricity bill is in your name (must match your Aadhaar)
• Your sanctioned load is 10 kW or below
• Your bank account is linked to Aadhaar (for DBT)

You are NOT eligible if:

• Your property is commercial or industrial
• You are a tenant (property ownership is required)
• Your electricity bill name does not match your Aadhaar

Note: If the electricity bill is in a family member's name, the application must be made using that person's Aadhaar - not yours.

Documents required for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

Keep these documents ready before you begin the application:

Document	Purpose
Aadhaar Card	Identity and address verification
Latest Electricity Bill	Confirm DISCOM registration and consumer number
Property Ownership Proof	Sale deed, property tax receipt, or mutation certificate
Bank Account Details	Cancelled cheque or passbook for subsidy DBT
Passport Size Photograph	Application registration
Mobile Number (Aadhaar-linked)	OTP verification

All documents must be uploaded in digital format (scanned copies or clear photographs) on the national portal.

How to apply for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

Applying for the pm suryaghar muft bijli yojana is fully online. Here is the complete process:

Step 1 - Register on the portal

Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Click "Apply for Rooftop Solar." Enter your state, DISCOM name, electricity consumer number, and Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Verify via OTP.

Step 2 - Submit the application

Log in with your consumer number and mobile number. Fill in the application form and select the system capacity you want to install.

Step 3 - Wait for DISCOM feasibility approval

Your electricity distribution company (DISCOM) will review your application for technical feasibility - transformer capacity, feeder load, and grid connection. Approval typically takes 15–30 days. You will receive a Letter of Intent (LoI).

Step 4 - Choose a registered vendor

After the LoI, select an installer from the portal's approved vendor list. Only empanelled vendors can carry out installations that qualify for the subsidy. The vendor will conduct a site survey and provide a quote.

Step 5 - Installation

The vendor installs your rooftop solar system using ALMM-listed panels and MNRE-certified inverters. This is mandatory - non-ALMM panels do not qualify for the subsidy.

Step 6 - Apply for net metering

After installation, the vendor submits a completion report. Your DISCOM conducts a net metering inspection and issues a commissioning report.

Step 7 - Claim your subsidy

Upload the commissioning report along with your cancelled cheque on the portal. The subsidy amount is credited to your bank account within 30 days.

Total timeline: 45 to 90 days from registration to subsidy receipt, depending on your DISCOM's processing speed.

Cost of Solar After Subsidy (1 kW to 5 kW)

Here is what a complete rooftop solar system costs in 2026 after applying the PM Surya Ghar subsidy:

System Size	After Subsidy Cost	Monthly Savings	Payback Period
1 kW	₹30,000–₹40,000	₹500–₹1,000	3–5 years
2 kW	₹60,000–₹80,000	₹1,200–₹2,000	4–5 years
3 kW	₹1,00,000–₹1,22,000	₹2,000–₹4,000	3–4 years
5 kW	₹1,72,000–₹2,72,000	₹3,500–₹6,000	4–5 years

After the payback period, your system generates electricity at virtually zero cost for 20+ more years.

What Solar System Size Do You Need?

Choosing the right system size ensures you maximise your savings and claim the right subsidy.

System Size	Best For	What It Can Run
1–2 kW	1 BHK, low consumption	Lights, fans, TV, refrigerator
3 kW	2–3 BHK, moderate use	Above + washing machine + 1 AC
4–5 kW	Large home, high use	Multiple ACs, water pump, full home load

Roof space required:

• 1 kW → ~100 sq ft
• 2 kW → ~200 sq ft
• 3 kW → ~300 sq ft
• 5 kW → ~500 sq ft

The rooftop should be shadow-free from 9 AM to 4 PM for maximum generation. Obstructions like overhead tanks and staircase covers reduce output significantly.

Why Your Panel Choice Matters Under This Scheme

One of the most important decisions you will make under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana is which solar panel technology to choose.

The subsidy amount is identical for all eligible panels - but not all panels generate the same amount of electricity over 25 years.

Factor	Mono PERC	N-Type TOPCon
Efficiency	19–21%	22–24%
Panels needed for 3 kW	7–8 panels	5 panels
Roof space for 3 kW	~210 sq ft	~150 sq ft
First-year loss (LID)	1–3% permanent	Zero LID
Temperature performance	−0.35%/°C	−0.29%/°C
Performance warranty	25-year stepped	30-year linear

With the same ₹78,000 government subsidy, a TOPCon system generates significantly more electricity over 30 years - making it a far better return on the subsidy you receive.

ALMM requirement: From June 2026, all panels installed under PM Surya Ghar must be ALMM List I compliant and manufactured using cells from ALMM List II (domestic cells). Always verify the exact module model on the MNRE ALMM portal before finalising your purchase.

Atal Solar's G12R series and M10R series TOPCon modules are BIS certified - fully eligible for PM Surya Ghar subsidy.

PM Surya Ghar Yojana in Gujarat

Gujarat is the leading state in India for rooftop solar adoption with over 3.2 GW installed - and the PM Surya Ghar scheme has been a major driver of this growth.

For Gujarat homeowners, the application process runs through your state DISCOM (DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL, or UGVCL depending on your district). Gujarat DISCOMs have been among the fastest in the country for feasibility approvals and commissioning
.

Why Gujarat homeowners benefit more:

• High solar irradiation (one of India's sunniest regions) means more units generated per kW installed
• Strong DISCOM infrastructure means faster approvals
• Gujarat-based manufacturers like Atal Solar provide ALMM-listed panels with local delivery and support
• Net metering settlements are processed reliably through Gujarat DISCOMs

If you are in Rajkot, Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, or anywhere in Gujarat, installing under PM Surya Ghar in 2026 gives you one of the best solar ROIs in the country.

Conclusion

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the most financially compelling solar opportunity available to Indian homeowners today. With up to ₹78,000 in direct government subsidy, near-zero electricity bills, and the ability to earn from surplus power, the economics have never been stronger.

The scheme's combination of financial support and net metering creates a genuine path to energy independence for millions of households - with a system that pays for itself in under 5 years and generates free electricity for 25 years after that.

If you are in Gujarat and considering solar, now is the time. Gujarat leads India in solar adoption, your DISCOM is experienced with the process, and high local irradiation means your panels will outperform national averages.

Atal Solar manufactures N-Type TOPCon solar modules in Rajkot, Gujarat. Our panels are ALMM listed and fully eligible for PM Surya Ghar subsidy. With a 30-year linear performance warranty and AI-integrated quality control, every Atal Solar module is built for maximum output over the life of your system.

Contact Atal Solar to get a quote for your rooftop solar system → contact now

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

It is India's flagship residential rooftop solar subsidy scheme launched in February 2024. It provides up to ₹78,000 in direct subsidy and up to 300 units of free electricity per month to eligible Indian homeowners who install rooftop solar.

2. How much subsidy will I get on a 3 kW system?

₹78,000 - the maximum available under the scheme. This is credited directly to your bank account within 30 days of commissioning.

3. Can I install solar on a rented home?

No. The scheme requires the applicant to own the property. If you are a tenant, you are not eligible.

4. What is the official portal to apply?

pmsuryaghar.gov.in is the official National Portal for Rooftop Solar.

5. Are all solar panels eligible for the subsidy?

No. Only panels listed on the MNRE ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) qualify. Verify your specific module model - not just the brand - on the ALMM portal.

6. What is net metering?

Net metering allows you to export surplus electricity your panels generate to the grid. Your DISCOM credits these units, which reduces your future electricity bills further.

7. How long does the whole process take?

Typically 45 to 90 days from registration to subsidy receipt, depending on your DISCOM's processing speed.

8. Can a housing society apply?

Yes. Group housing societies can avail a separate subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW for common-area installations up to 500 kW.

9. Is there a loan available under this scheme?

Yes. Empanelled vendors and banks offer collateral-free loans under the scheme. The ROI on a 3 kW system post-subsidy is typically 4–5 years, making EMI options financially comfortable for most households.