FAQs

Everything you need to know about rooftop solar and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

A complete, plain-language guide to the central government scheme, how a rooftop installation actually happens, and answers to the questions Odisha households ask us most.

The Scheme

What is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a central government scheme launched to help residential households switch to rooftop solar power, with the long-term goal of one crore homes across India generating their own electricity. "Muft Bijli" means "free electricity" — the idea is that once a home's rooftop system is sized correctly against its usage, a large share of its monthly power needs can be met at effectively zero marginal cost.

The scheme works by directly subsidising the upfront cost of a rooftop solar installation. Rather than a loan or a tax rebate claimed later, the subsidy is paid as a lump sum straight into the homeowner's bank account once the system is installed, inspected and connected to the grid through net metering.

Who is eligible?

  • Any Indian household that owns the property and has a valid electricity connection
  • The rooftop must have enough shadow-free area to fit the proposed system size
  • Applicants register on the national PM Surya Ghar portal with their electricity consumer number
  • The installation must be carried out by a DISCOM-empanelled vendor — we handle this as part of our service

How the subsidy is calculated

The subsidy scales with system size, up to a 3kW cap for most households. Beyond 3kW, the household continues to benefit from generation and net metering, but the central subsidy itself does not increase further.

System sizeApprox. subsidy
1 kW₹30,000
2 kW₹60,000
3 kW and aboveUp to ₹78,000

Your exact eligible amount depends on your sanctioned load, roof area and average monthly consumption — we confirm the precise figure for your home during the free site survey, before you commit to anything.

Installation

How a rooftop solar installation actually happens

From your first enquiry to the day your meter starts running the other way, here's the full sequence.

  1. Free site survey

    Our team visits your home to assess roof type (RCC, tin or tile), orientation, shading from trees or neighbouring buildings, structural strength and your average monthly electricity bill. This determines the ideal system size for your household.

  2. System design and quotation

    Based on the survey, we design a mounting layout and give you a detailed quotation showing the system cost, your estimated subsidy, and the net amount payable — with no hidden charges.

  3. Subsidy registration

    We register your application on the national PM Surya Ghar portal using your electricity consumer number, linking the installation to your account so the subsidy can be disbursed once work is complete.

  4. DISCOM approval

    Your local electricity distribution company (DISCOM) reviews and approves the installation plan, which is a required step before any panels go up on the roof.

  5. Procurement and mounting

    Panels, inverter and mounting structure are delivered and installed — typically completed within a few days once materials are on site.

  6. Wiring, inverter setup and safety checks

    Our technicians complete the electrical wiring, install and configure the inverter, and run safety checks to confirm the system is generating correctly before it's connected to your home's supply.

  7. Net meter installation and DISCOM inspection

    A bi-directional net meter is installed by the DISCOM, replacing or supplementing your existing meter, so that power you export to the grid is tracked separately from what you draw.

  8. Commissioning and subsidy disbursement

    Once the DISCOM issues a commissioning certificate confirming the system is live, the subsidy amount is released directly to your registered bank account — usually within a few weeks.

Most residential installations, from the initial survey to final commissioning, are completed within 1–3 weeks — though DISCOM inspection timelines can vary a little by district.

Costs & Financing

What you pay, what you get back

The amount you pay upfront is the system cost minus your eligible subsidy. For most 2–3kW residential systems in Odisha, this net amount is recovered through electricity bill savings well within the panels' working life, after which the power generated is effectively free.

If you don't want to pay the net amount upfront

Collateral-free solar loans are available through nationalised banks at concessional interest rates under the scheme, so you can spread the net cost over manageable monthly instalments that are often lower than your old electricity bill.

Ongoing costs

  • No fuel, combustion or recurring running cost — solar panels generate power passively from sunlight
  • Occasional cleaning to remove dust builds and an annual wiring check
  • Inverters may need replacing once during the panels' 25-year lifespan
Questions

Full frequently asked questions

About the scheme

What is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

It's a central government scheme that provides a subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for households installing rooftop solar systems up to 3kW, with eligible homes able to offset up to around 300 units of electricity a month.

Who can apply for the scheme?

Any Indian household that owns the property, has a valid electricity connection, and enough shadow-free roof area for the proposed system size. Renters typically need the property owner's consent to apply.

How much subsidy will I actually get?

Subsidy is calculated per kW of system size — typically ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW, up to a maximum of ₹78,000. We calculate your exact figure during the free consultation.

Is the subsidy a discount or a cash payment?

It's a direct cash payment made by the government straight to your bank account after installation and DISCOM inspection — it isn't a discount applied by the installer.

Installation process

How long does installation take?

Most residential rooftop installations are completed within 1–3 weeks of the site survey, depending on roof type, system size and local DISCOM inspection timelines.

Do I need to change my electricity meter?

Yes — a bi-directional net meter is required to track power you export to the grid. We coordinate this with your local DISCOM as part of the process.

Will installation damage my roof?

No — mounting structures are designed for your specific roof type (RCC, tin or tile) and don't require major structural changes for most homes. Waterproofing is checked and restored at every mounting point.

What documents do I need to apply?

Typically your Aadhaar, a recent electricity bill, a passport-size photo, and bank account details for the subsidy transfer. We guide you through the exact list for your case.

Costs, subsidy & financing

Is financing available if I don't want to pay upfront?

Collateral-free loans are available through nationalised banks at concessional rates under the scheme. Ask our team about current terms in your area.

What happens if my system is larger than 3kW?

You'll still receive the maximum ₹78,000 subsidy on the first 3kW, and can size the remaining capacity beyond that based on your usage — the extra capacity simply doesn't attract further central subsidy.

How long until the system pays for itself?

Most Odisha households recover their net upfront cost through electricity bill savings well within the panels' 25-year working life — the exact payback period depends on your usage and system size, which we calculate for you.

Technical & maintenance

How much maintenance does a solar system need?

Very little — periodic cleaning to remove dust and an annual check of wiring and connections is usually enough to keep it performing well.

What happens during a power cut?

A standard grid-tied system switches off during outages for safety. Adding a hybrid inverter with battery storage lets your home keep running on stored solar power instead.

How long do solar panels last?

Most manufacturers guarantee around 80–90% of original output after 25 years. There are no moving parts, so degradation is gradual and predictable.

Ready to see what solar could save you?

Book a free, no-obligation consultation — we'll survey your roof and estimate your subsidy and savings.

Book a Free Consultation