Solar Energy FAQs India 2026

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is India's flagship residential rooftop solar scheme launched in February 2024. It provides a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system directly to the beneficiary's bank account. The scheme aims to install solar on 1 crore households and provide 300 units of free electricity per month to participating families.

The subsidy structure is: 1 kW: ₹30,000 | 2 kW: ₹60,000 | 3 kW: ₹78,000 (maximum). For systems above 3 kW, no additional central subsidy is given. The money comes directly to your bank account within 30 days of your net meter being commissioned.

No. To claim the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, you must use DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) modules — solar panels manufactured in India. Importing Chinese or other foreign panels disqualifies you from the subsidy. Top DCR-compliant brands include Waaree, Adani Solar, Tata Solar, and Vikram Solar.

Yes. 12+ nationalised and private banks offer solar green loans at 7–9.5% interest. SBI, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, and HDFC all have specific solar loan products. The EMI on a ₹1 lakh solar loan at 9% for 5 years is approximately ₹2,076/month — which is usually less than your current electricity bill savings. Use our Solar Loan EMI Calculator to plan yours.

Yes — several states offer extra top-up subsidies: Gujarat: ₹10,000/kW (up to 3 kW) via GEDA | Kerala: ₹15,000/kW via ANERT | Uttarakhand: ₹15,000/kW via UREDA | Delhi: ₹2/unit GBI for 5 years | Assam: ₹15,000/system | Chandigarh: ₹10,000/kW. Use our State Subsidy Calculator to check your state.

Net metering allows your rooftop solar system to feed surplus electricity back into the grid. Your DISCOM installs a bi-directional smart meter that measures both what you consume from the grid and what you export. Each unit exported earns you a credit against your consumption, reducing your bill to near zero. Most Indian DISCOMs allow net metering for systems up to 500 kW (residential: typically 1–10 kW).

Timeline varies by DISCOM: BESCOM (Bangalore): 15–21 days | MSEDCL (Maharashtra): 30 days | TSSPDCL (Hyderabad): 21 days | APEPDCL (Vizag): 30 days | PVVNL (UP): 30–45 days. After your solar installation, submit the net metering application with the commissioning certificate to your DISCOM. They install the bi-directional meter at no cost to you.

Most DISCOMs settle excess credits annually. Any net surplus units at year end are either: (a) carried forward to next year, or (b) paid at a Feed-In Tariff (FIT) — typically ₹2–₹3.50/unit depending on state. Andhra Pradesh pays ₹2.50/unit, Delhi pays ₹2/unit via GBI. Check your DISCOM's tariff order for exact rates.

You need approximately 100 sq. ft. (10 sq. m.) of shadow-free rooftop area per kW of solar capacity. So a 3 kW system needs 300 sq. ft., and a 5 kW system needs 500 sq. ft. The roof must be structurally sound and ideally face south for maximum generation. Use our Roof Area Calculator to check if your roof qualifies.

On-grid (grid-tied): Connected to your DISCOM's grid. Surplus power is exported via net metering. No batteries needed. Eligible for PM Surya Ghar subsidy. Best ROI. Off-grid: Uses batteries to store power — works during power cuts. Not connected to grid. More expensive (batteries add 40–60% to cost). Best for areas with unreliable grid supply. Hybrid: Grid-connected + battery backup. Best of both worlds but most expensive. Use our On-Grid Calculator to compare.

For a standard residential system (1–5 kW), installation typically takes 1–3 days. The process: Site survey (1 day) → Civil work / mounting structure (1 day) → Panel installation + wiring (1–2 days) → Inverter installation + testing (half day). After installation, DISCOM net meter application takes 15–45 days depending on your state.

Top DCR-compliant brands for 2026: Waaree Energies (India's largest, excellent warranty) | Adani Solar (strong service network) | Tata Solar (premium, best customer service) | Vikram Solar (good efficiency) | Goldi Solar (value-for-money). All four must be DCR-compliant to qualify for PM Surya Ghar subsidy. Avoid non-BIS-certified panels regardless of price.

A 3 kW on-grid rooftop solar system in India costs approximately ₹1,60,000 – ₹1,90,000 (depending on brand and state). After the PM Surya Ghar subsidy of ₹78,000, the net out-of-pocket cost is ₹82,000 – ₹1,12,000. This generates ~4,200–5,400 units/year (depending on your state's sun hours) and saves ₹2,400–₹4,500/month. Use our Cost Calculator for exact numbers.

Payback varies significantly by state tariff: Rajasthan/Gujarat (₹7–9/unit + high sun): 2.5–3.5 years | Maharashtra/Delhi (₹8.5–10.5/unit): 3–4 years | Karnataka/TN (₹6.5–7.4/unit): 4–5 years | UP/MP (₹6.5/unit): 5–6 years | Punjab/Goa (₹4–5.2/unit): 6–7 years. After payback, you get 19–22 more years of free electricity (25-year panel life). Use our ROI Calculator.

On-grid systems DO NOT work during power cuts — this is an CEIG safety regulation (anti-islanding). If you need backup during cuts, you need a hybrid inverter + battery. At night, solar panels produce no power (no sun). Your on-grid system then draws from the grid — but your net metering credits from the day offset this consumption, resulting in a near-zero bill.