Are you planning to install solar panels on your house and reduce your monthly electricity bill? The Government of India’s PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana provides financial assistance to eligible residential households that install rooftop solar systems.
Under the central scheme, eligible households can receive a subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for a rooftop solar system of 3 kW or more. In Tamil Nadu, the official state solar portal also advertises additional state assistance that could bring the combined support to ₹1,00,000. However, applicants should verify the latest state subsidy guidelines and implementation status before relying on the additional amount.
This guide explains the scheme, eligibility requirements, documents, subsidy amounts and the complete online application process, with official application links included directly in each step.
1. What Is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a central government initiative designed to encourage households to generate electricity using rooftop solar panels. The programme aims to reduce household electricity expenses and promote renewable energy.
Under the scheme, eligible residential consumers can install a rooftop solar photovoltaic system through an approved vendor and apply for central financial assistance through the official national portal.
The scheme can help households:
- Reduce their dependence on electricity purchased from the grid.
- Receive government financial assistance towards the eligible installation cost.
- Generate electricity from sunlight during the day.
- Potentially receive electricity bills of ₹0 in some months, depending on generation, consumption and applicable billing rules.
Important: This is a subsidy scheme, not a universal 100% free solar panel scheme. Households may need to pay the remaining installation cost themselves or arrange financing.
2. How Much Solar Subsidy Can You Get in 2026?
The central government subsidy for eligible residential rooftop solar installations is based on the system capacity.
| Solar system capacity | Central government subsidy |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW | ₹78,000 |
| Above 3 kW | ₹78,000 maximum |
These are the standard central subsidy amounts under PM Surya Ghar for eligible residential installations. The central subsidy is capped at the applicable 3 kW level.
Additional assistance in Tamil Nadu
The official Tamil Nadu Solar Rooftop Portal advertises combined central and state assistance of up to ₹1,00,000, including a proposed state top-up of up to ₹22,000.
You can check the state portal here:
Official Tamil Nadu Solar Portal: https://www.tnebltd.gov.in/usrp/
Before budgeting for the installation, check the latest state government order, eligibility conditions and whether the additional state subsidy is currently sanctioned and available. The state portal’s published material has also indicated that the government order and guidelines were pending issue.
The amount you actually receive depends on the applicable scheme rules, installation capacity, verification and approval.
3. Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants should review the official scheme requirements before registering.
The general eligibility conditions include:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- The property must have a suitable rooftop for installing solar panels.
- The household must have a valid residential electricity connection.
- The applicant must meet the scheme’s requirements regarding previous solar subsidies.
- The installation must comply with the technical and vendor requirements of the scheme.
- The system must be installed and commissioned through the prescribed process.
The scheme is intended for residential electricity consumers. Commercial and industrial electricity connections do not automatically qualify for the same residential subsidy.
Read the scheme details here before applying:
Official scheme information: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmsgmb
Eligibility and approval are determined under the applicable official guidelines. Registering on the portal does not guarantee subsidy approval.
4. Documents and Details You May Need
Keep the following details ready before beginning the application:
- Residential electricity consumer or account number.
- A mobile number that can receive OTPs.
- Email address, if requested by the portal.
- Applicant and electricity connection details.
- Bank account details and supporting documents required for subsidy disbursement.
- Any additional documents requested during the application, installation or verification stages.
The exact documents may vary according to the portal requirements and your application status. Use your own correct information and ensure that the bank details match the requirements specified by the official scheme.
5. How to Apply for the Solar Subsidy Online
Follow these steps in order. The first application is made through the national PM Surya Ghar portal.
Step 1: Open the official PM Surya Ghar website
Visit the official website:
Apply online: https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/
Choose the option to apply for rooftop solar or register as a new consumer.
Avoid unofficial websites that claim to guarantee free solar panels or ask for payment to release government subsidies.
Step 2: Register your electricity connection
On the registration page:
- Select Tamil Nadu as your state.
- Select your electricity distribution company as displayed on the portal.
- Enter your electricity consumer or account number.
- Enter your mobile number.
- Provide your email address if requested.
- Verify your details using the OTP or other verification method shown on the website.
Use the consumer number associated with the residential electricity connection for which you want to install the solar system.
After successful registration, keep the application or registration reference number safe.
Step 3: Log in and submit the rooftop solar application
Return to the national portal at https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/ and log in using the details requested by the website.
Open the rooftop solar application section and complete the application form.
Check the electricity connection details, contact information and other requested information carefully before submitting.
Save your application reference number and any acknowledgement provided by the portal.
Step 4: Wait for feasibility approval
After submitting the application, the electricity distribution company will review the feasibility of the proposed rooftop solar connection.
The approval process may involve checking the connection and technical requirements. Follow any instructions or additional requirements shown in your application dashboard.
Do not assume that the application has been approved simply because registration was successful.
Step 5: Select an approved solar vendor
Once you have reached the appropriate stage of the application process, select a vendor from the authorised vendor list available through the scheme portal.
For Tamil Nadu, check the official state rooftop solar portal:
https://www.tnebltd.gov.in/usrp/
Review the vendor’s installation quotation, equipment specifications, warranty, service terms and any applicable additional charges before agreeing to the work.
Confirm that the proposed solar modules and installation meet the scheme’s technical requirements. Do not choose a vendor solely because they promise a guaranteed subsidy.
Step 6: Install the rooftop solar system
After the required approvals and vendor arrangements, the solar system can be installed.
The total price depends on the system capacity, equipment, rooftop conditions, installation complexity and vendor quotation.
Obtain an itemised quotation and receipt for payments made. Keep copies of the installation documents and technical information for the next stage.
Step 7: Complete inspection, metering and commissioning
After installation, follow the required procedure for inspection, net-metering and commissioning through the electricity distribution company.
For Tamil Nadu, use the official TNPDCL Unified Solar Rooftop Portal:
https://www.tnebltd.gov.in/usrp/index.xhtml
The portal provides solar application services, reference-number-related services and information about metering and subsidy eligibility.
Complete any pending documentation or technical requirements before proceeding to the subsidy claim.
Step 8: Submit the required installation details
Upload or submit the documents requested by the official portal. Depending on your application stage, this may include installation details, inverter information, plant photographs, module compliance details and net-metering documentation.
Use only the upload options displayed in your application dashboard. Requirements can change, so follow the latest official instructions rather than relying on an old checklist.
Step 9: Complete the central subsidy claim
Once the installation and other required formalities have been completed, submit the subsidy claim through the process prescribed by the national portal.
The relevant agency will verify the application and supporting details. Approved central subsidy payments are transferred according to the scheme’s disbursement procedure and the bank details provided.
Check the application status on the official portal:
Keep the application number and payment records until the process is complete.
Step 10: Check the Tamil Nadu state subsidy separately
Tamil Nadu’s official Solar Rooftop Portal advertises additional assistance alongside the central scheme.
Visit:
https://www.tnebltd.gov.in/usrp/
Read the current state subsidy guidelines, eligibility conditions and government order before assuming that you will receive the additional amount.
The state portal describes a process in which eligible central subsidy disbursement information is used for subsequent state-level verification. However, applicants should confirm that the additional state component is currently operational and applicable to their installation.
6. Can You Get 300 Units of Free Electricity Every Month?
The scheme is designed to support household electricity generation, with a stated objective of providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month.
However, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every household will receive exactly 300 free units on every electricity bill.
Actual benefits depend on factors such as:
- The installed solar capacity.
- Available sunlight and system performance.
- Household electricity consumption.
- The timing of electricity generation and consumption.
- Applicable net-metering and billing arrangements.
For example, a household that uses more electricity than its solar system generates may still have to pay for electricity drawn from the grid, together with any applicable charges.
7. How Much Money Do You Need to Pay Yourself?
The subsidy does not necessarily cover the entire cost of the solar system.
The amount you pay depends on the vendor’s quotation, system capacity, installation costs, the subsidy approved for your application and any financing you arrange.
For illustration, the Tamil Nadu portal provides indicative market prices and subsidy calculations. These are estimates, not guaranteed quotations.
Before accepting a quotation:
- Compare more than one authorised vendor.
- Check whether the price includes the inverter, mounting structure, wiring and installation.
- Ask about warranty and maintenance.
- Confirm the subsidy amount that actually applies to your system.
- Do not pay a vendor on the assumption that every advertised subsidy amount is guaranteed.
8. Important Safety Tips Before Applying
- Use the official national and state portals linked in this article.
- Never share an OTP with a vendor or an unknown caller.
- Do not pay anyone who guarantees approval in exchange for a separate commission.
- Keep the installation quotation, invoice and application reference number.
- Ensure the bank account details are correct before submitting a subsidy claim.
- Read the current technical and eligibility guidelines before purchasing equipment.
For further assistance, consult the contact information published on the official Tamil Nadu portal. The state portal lists the electricity utility and scheme support channels.
Conclusion
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana offers eligible residential households a way to reduce electricity expenses through rooftop solar installation. The central subsidy can reach ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW or more, subject to the scheme requirements.
Tamil Nadu’s official solar portal also advertises combined assistance of up to ₹1,00,000. However, the additional state subsidy should be confirmed against the latest government order and implementation status before making financial decisions.
Start by registering through the official national portal, follow the prescribed approval and installation process, and complete the required verification before claiming the subsidy.
Official application portal: https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in/
Tamil Nadu Solar Rooftop Portal: https://www.tnebltd.gov.in/usrp/















