Solar Energy in Surat: Complete 2026 Guide
Surat is India's diamond polishing capital and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Its textile units and diamond units run in large flat-roofed industrial sheds — perfect for MW-scale solar. With electricity tariffs charged by DGVCL at ₹5.80/unit and rising every year, rooftop solar has become one of the smartest long-term investments available to Surat homeowners in 2026.
Solar Potential: How Much Can You Generate in Surat?
Surat receives approximately 5.6 peak sun hours per day (based on MNRE solar radiation data for this region). This means every 1 kW of rooftop solar installed here generates about 1,716 units of electricity per year.
For a typical 3 kW system — the most popular size for a 2–3 BHK home — you can expect:
- ~14.1 units per day on average (higher in summer, lower in monsoon)
- 5,147 units per year
- ₹2,453/month savings on your DGVCL electricity bill
- Payback period: ~3.5 years after PM Surya Ghar subsidy
How Much Subsidy Can Surat Residents Claim?
Residents of Surat in Gujarat are fully eligible for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The central government provides a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidy directly to your bank account:
- Up to 2 kW system: ₹30,000/kW (total ₹60,000 for 2 kW)
- 2 kW to 3 kW: ₹18,000/kW for the additional capacity
- Above 3 kW: No additional central subsidy — but net metering earnings continue
- Maximum central subsidy: ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system
State subsidy note: Gujarat offers ₹10,000/kW state subsidy (up to 3 kW) via GEDA on top of PM Surya Ghar.
Surat Solar Cost & Savings at a Glance (2026)
| System Size | Gross Cost | Subsidy | Net Cost | Annual Generation | Monthly Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹60,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 | ~1,716 units | ₹818/month | 3.1 yrs |
| 2 kW | ₹120,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹60,000 | ~3,431 units | ₹1,636/month | 3.1 yrs |
| 3 kW | ₹180,000 | ₹78,000 | ₹102,000 | ~5,147 units | ₹2,453/month | 3.5 yrs |
| 5 kW | ₹300,000 | ₹78,000 | ₹222,000 | ~8,578 units | ₹4,089/month | 4.5 yrs |
| 10 kW | ₹600,000 | ₹78,000 | ₹522,000 | ~17,155 units | ₹8,178/month | 5.3 yrs |
* Costs are indicative estimates for Surat as of 2026. Actual prices vary by brand (Waaree, Adani, Tata, Vikram). Savings calculated at ₹5.80/unit tariff. Use our cost calculator for personalised estimates.
Working with DGVCL for Net Metering
In Surat, electricity distribution and net metering for rooftop solar is managed by DGVCL (Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company) / Surat Municipal Area: DGVCL. Here's what you need to know about solar net metering under DGVCL:
- Net metering limit: up to 1 MW per consumer connection
- Meter type: Bi-directional smart meter (provided and installed by DGVCL)
- Billing cycle: Monthly — excess units exported to grid are credited against your consumption
- Annual settlement: Any remaining credit units are carried forward; some DISCOMs pay a feed-in tariff for net annual export
- Application portal: guvnl.com
Step-by-Step: How to Get Solar in Surat
- Check your eligibility: Use our Subsidy Calculator to see the exact PM Surya Ghar amount for your home's load and Gujarat location.
- Size your system: Use the Panel Requirement Calculator — enter your monthly bill in units. Most Surat households need a 2–4 kW system.
- Register on the National Portal: Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in, register with your Aadhaar and DGVCL consumer number.
- Choose an MNRE-empanelled installer from the portal's vendor list — do not use non-empanelled vendors as your subsidy will be blocked.
- Get installation done: Typical completion time in Surat: 2–4 days for a residential system.
- Submit inspection documents to DGVCL for net meter installation (usually within 15–30 days).
- Receive subsidy: DBT credit directly to your bank account within 30 days of net meter commissioning.
Surat Solar Payback: The Numbers
Here's a quick back-of-envelope calculation for a typical Surat household:
- Monthly electricity bill before solar: ~₹1,450 (250 units/month)
- 3 kW solar system generates ~423 units/month
- Monthly bill after solar: near ₹0 (net metering covers remaining consumption)
- Monthly savings: ₹2,453
- Annual savings: ₹29,436
- 25-year savings (at 5% tariff escalation): ₹773,000+
Want the exact numbers for your home? Use our Solar ROI Calculator and Solar Loan EMI Calculator if you're considering financing.
More Solar Guides Around Gujarat
If you found this guide useful, also check our guides for nearby cities: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot — each with city-specific DISCOM, tariff, and cost data.
For state-level subsidy policy in Gujarat, see our Gujarat Solar Calculator.