PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the central government scheme that pays part of the cost of a rooftop solar system for homes. Here is how it works for a Kerala household, in plain terms.
How much is the subsidy?
- ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW.
- ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW.
- Capped at ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW and above.
A 3 kW system therefore gets ₹78,000, and so does a 5 kW or 10 kW system: the cap is reached at 3 kW. Housing societies and RWAs have a group-housing slab of ₹18,000 per kW; the cap is being confirmed on the portal, so treat society figures as indicative.
How and when is it paid?
The subsidy is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to your bank account. It typically arrives 30–45 days after the DISCOM inspection and commissioning of your system. You pay the vendor for the system first; the subsidy then reimburses part of that cost.
Which vendor do I select?
On pmsuryaghar.gov.in you select a vendor from the Registered Vendors list. Choose SOLAR CONNECT, exactly as listed. All our residential subsidy projects are contracted, invoiced and commissioned under that name, so the portal, your quotation and your invoice match.
What does it not cover?
- Batteries and hybrid storage: the central subsidy applies to the grid-connected solar portion.
- EV chargers.
- Commercial and industrial systems.
Modules for subsidy projects must be ALMM-listed and meet domestic content (DCR) requirements.
What about the March 2027 date?
The scheme aims to reach one crore households by March 2027. Check the official portal for current application rules and dates. Surveys, KSEB approvals and inspections take time, so starting early is sensible.