SolarCalculatorsNRI Guide: Rooftop Solar for Parents' Home in India (2026)
Whose Name Should the Application Be In?
The subsidy is tied to the residential electricity connection. The consumer number, name and bank account should match the connection holder. If the bill is in your father's or mother's name, they are the applicant. If the connection is in your name, you can apply, but you will need an Indian bank account and a mobile number for OTPs.
Step by Step
- Collect details: latest electricity bill, sanctioned load, roof photos and roof area (about 100 sq ft per kW).
- Size the system: monthly units ÷ about 120 gives the kW needed. For a ₹2,000–3,000 bill, 2–3 kW is typical.
- Register on the PM Surya Ghar portal with your parent's mobile number (they receive the OTPs).
- Get 2–3 written quotes from installers registered with the DISCOM.
- Installation and net meter: the installer handles the DISCOM process; someone at home must be present for inspection.
- Subsidy: credited to the applicant's bank account after inspection.
Paying From Abroad
- Pay the installer directly from your NRE/NRO account, or transfer money to your parent who pays.
- Always get a GST invoice in the applicant's name; it is needed for the subsidy and warranty.
- Pay in stages (advance, on delivery, after commissioning) rather than everything upfront.
Checking the Installer When You Are Not There
- Ask for photos or a video call of their past installations in the same city.
- Confirm panel brand, wattage and inverter model in the written quote, and check panel serial numbers on delivery.
- Ask a relative or neighbour to be present on installation day.
- Choose an inverter with a mobile app so you can monitor daily units from abroad.
What It Costs and Saves
A 3kW system costs about ₹1.6–2.1 lakh before subsidy, about ₹82,000–₹1.32 lakh after the ₹78,000 subsidy (higher subsidy in hill and North-East states). It makes about 360 units a month, which typically saves your parents ₹2,000–3,000 a month.
Get free quotes from verified installers in your parents' city.
Documents Checklist for NRIs
- Latest electricity bill in the applicant's name.
- Applicant's Aadhaar, PAN and Indian bank account (for the subsidy).
- Mobile number in India that receives OTPs (usually a parent's).
- Roof photos, roof area and sanctioned load.
- Installer's written quote with panel brand, wattage, inverter model and warranty.
Solar System Size and Cost for Your Parents' Home
| Monthly bill | Suggested size | Net cost after subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,000–1,500 | 1–2 kW | ₹30,000–₹50,000 |
| ₹2,000–3,000 | 3 kW | ₹82,000–₹1.32 lakh |
| ₹4,000–5,000 | 5 kW | about ₹1.72 lakh |
See the 1kW, 3kW and 5kW solar panel price pages, or use the subsidy calculator for your parents' state.
Red Flags When Hiring an Installer From Abroad
- Asking for 100% payment upfront.
- No GST invoice, or invoice in someone else's name.
- Vague quote without panel brand and inverter model.
- Not registered with the local DISCOM or the PM Surya Ghar portal.
Find verified installers in your parents' city on our solar installers directory.
Before you talk to installers, run your numbers on our free solar calculator to see the system size, cost after subsidy and payback for your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NRI apply for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
The subsidy is for the residential electricity connection holder. If the connection is in your parent's name, apply in their name. If it is in your name, you need an Indian bank account and mobile number.
Can I pay for solar from my NRE account?
Yes, you can pay the installer from an NRE or NRO account. Get the GST invoice in the applicant's name.
How can I monitor my parents' solar system from abroad?
Choose an inverter with a Wi-Fi or mobile app. It shows daily units and alerts for faults.
Who needs to be present during installation?
Someone at home should be present for installation and for the DISCOM inspection of the net meter.