PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the central government scheme that pays Indian homeowners a direct subsidy — up to ₹78,000 — for installing rooftop solar. Here's exactly how much you get, who qualifies, and the state top-ups people often miss.
How much you actually get
The central subsidy is fixed by system size and paid straight to your bank account after installation and inspection. As of June 2026, the structure is:
| System size | Central subsidy |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW and above | ₹78,000 |
The maths behind it: ₹30,000 for each of the first 2 kW, plus ₹18,000 for the third kW. After 3 kW the central subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 — you can install a bigger system, but the central grant doesn't grow beyond that.
State top-ups most people miss
Several states add their own subsidy on top of the central one. These change and vary by state, but as examples reported in June 2026, some states offer meaningful extra per-kW support — and special-category (North-East and hill) states get higher central slabs. If you're in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or several others, check your state portal, because the combined subsidy can be noticeably larger than the central figure alone.
Who qualifies
- Indian citizen who owns a home with a suitable roof.
- A valid electricity connection / consumer number with your DISCOM.
- You haven't already claimed a rooftop solar subsidy for the same property.
- Panels must be ALMM-approved and installed via a registered/empanelled vendor.
How you claim it (the short version)
- Register on the national portal with your mobile number and electricity consumer number.
- Apply for rooftop solar and wait for DISCOM feasibility approval.
- Pick an empanelled vendor and get the system installed with ALMM panels.
- Apply for net metering; the DISCOM inspects and commissions the system.
- Submit bank details — the subsidy is transferred directly, usually within about 30–45 days of commissioning.
A common reason applications stall is missing paperwork or non-approved panels, so get those right from the start.
See your subsidy and net cost
See your system size, cost after subsidy, and payback period in 30 seconds — with every assumption shown.
What the subsidy does to your payback
This is the real point. A subsidy of ₹78,000 on a 3 kW system that costs around ₹1.5–1.9 lakh covers a large chunk of the price — which is exactly what shortens the payback period from "eventually" to "a few years". The subsidy is the single biggest reason rooftop solar makes financial sense for so many Indian homes right now. Plug your bill into the calculator to see the effect on your own numbers.
A note on the numbers: figures here are typical ranges as of June 2026 and change often. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy structure, your state's top-up, per-kW prices and electricity tariffs all vary — always confirm current rates on the official portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) and get written quotes before you buy. This is planning information, not financial advice.