PM Surya Ghar Eligibility 2026
Check whether your electricity connection, roof, proposed solar system and installation method can qualify for Central Financial Assistance under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Last Updated: July 22, 2026
Eligibility Questions Covered
Take This Five-Question Eligibility Test
PM Surya Ghar does not use a simple age-only or income-only test. Eligibility mainly depends on the electricity connection, installation location, system type and compliance process.
- Is the electricity connection officially residential?
The tariff category shown by the DISCOM matters more than how the property is described informally. - Will the solar plant be linked to that residential consumer account?
The rooftop solar system must be tagged to a particular residential power connection. - Will the panels be installed on an eligible building location?
A roof, terrace, balcony, elevated structure or approved building-integrated installation may qualify. - Will you follow the National Portal, registered-vendor and DCR process?
These conditions are essential when Central Financial Assistance is claimed. - Can the installation satisfy the applicable DISCOM and metering rules?
The final claim requires technical verification and portal approval.
Likely eligible
You answered yes to all five questions and your documents, equipment and installation can meet the current rules.
Needs verification
Your connection is residential, but roof permission, sanctioned load, existing subsidy or metering status is unclear.
Not eligible for residential CFA
The connection is non-residential, the system is fully off-grid or a mandatory subsidy condition will not be followed.
Final decision
The National Portal, current guidelines and the concerned DISCOM determine acceptance of an individual application.
Mandatory Eligibility Conditions
A household should satisfy the complete chain of consumer, system and verification requirements—not just one or two items.
| Condition | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Residential consumer account | A valid consumer number or equivalent ID with the local distribution utility | Links the claim to a recognised residential connection |
| Grid-connected rooftop solar | The system operates under an eligible grid-connected arrangement | Fully off-grid installations are not eligible for residential CFA |
| Eligible installation location | Roof, terrace, balcony, elevated structure or approved building-integrated PV | The guidelines define which building locations can be considered |
| National Portal application | The consumer follows the official portal process | Benefits are availed through the scheme portal |
| Registered vendor | The installer is registered on the National Portal | A registered vendor is required for claiming CFA |
| DCR modules | Eligible domestically manufactured modules made from domestically manufactured cells | Non-DCR modules make the subsidy claim ineligible |
| Technical compliance | The system meets notified safety and technical specifications | The DISCOM checks these requirements during inspection |
| Inspection and approval | The DISCOM verifies the system and completes the portal action | CFA is processed only after the required approval |
Which Electricity Connections Can Qualify?
Residential Connections
The residential CFA component is available to residential consumers who have a grid-connected electricity connection with their local DISCOM or electricity department. The applicant needs a valid consumer account number or equivalent consumer ID.
An independent house, eligible apartment connection or another residential premise may qualify when the utility records the connection under a residential category. A property used as a home does not automatically qualify if its electricity account is officially commercial or otherwise non-residential.
Applicant Name, Consumer Name and Bank Details
The consumer account is central to the application. The subsidy process may require bank proof showing that the receiving account belongs to the concerned consumer. When the property owner, electricity account holder and person paying for the plant are different, confirm the acceptable arrangement with the DISCOM before making a vendor payment.
Sanctioned Load
Basic scheme eligibility and permitted system capacity are related but separate questions. A household may fall within the residential category while its proposed capacity still needs to comply with sanctioned-load limits, state regulations and the DISCOM procedure.
Which Roofs and Installation Locations Are Eligible?
The official definition includes more than a conventional flat roof. The system must still be tagged to the eligible residential connection and comply with structural, technical and local requirements.
- Flat concrete roof or terrace of a residential building
- Sloping residential roof with a suitable mounting structure
- Balcony installation where technically feasible and permitted
- Panels placed on top of an eligible elevated structure
- Building Integrated Photovoltaic installation meeting the scheme conditions
- Approved group or virtual net-metering installation located on an eligible building surface
Roof Rights and Permission
Scheme eligibility does not remove property-law or association requirements. The applicant must have the right to use the roof. Co-owner consent, tenancy terms, apartment-association rules, municipal restrictions and structural safety can determine whether the installation may proceed.
Physical Suitability
A roof may satisfy the location definition but still be poor for solar because of heavy shade, weak structure, unsafe access or insufficient clear area. A competent site survey should be completed before finalising capacity or paying a large advance.
Homeowners, Joint Families and Co-Owned Houses
| Situation | Likely position | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Owner occupies an independent house and holds the residential connection | Usually straightforward | Consumer details, roof survey and technical requirements |
| House is jointly owned but the bill is in one owner’s name | May qualify | Co-owner consent and consistency of consumer and bank details |
| Parent owns the house but the connection is in an adult child’s name | Check documents | Roof-use permission and DISCOM requirements |
| Several family units share one residential meter | Connection-based case | Connection holder’s authority, consumption and internal cost sharing |
| Several residential meters exist in one building | Separate assessment | Roof allocation and permitted metering arrangement |
Every adult family member does not automatically receive a separate subsidy. The plant is tagged to a particular residential power connection, and an installed rooftop solar system can receive CFA only once.
Can a Tenant Apply for PM Surya Ghar?
A tenant is not automatically excluded, but a rented-house application is complicated because rooftop solar involves roof rights, electrical work, a long-life asset, a vendor agreement and the property’s consumer account.
A tenant should proceed only when all of the following are clear:
- The electricity connection is residential and the account holder permits the application.
- The property owner gives written permission for the structural and electrical work.
- The applicant, consumer account and subsidy-receiving bank details satisfy the portal and DISCOM process.
- The parties agree who owns the plant, pays the vendor, receives the CFA and handles maintenance.
- The agreement explains what happens when the tenancy ends or the property is sold.
Eligibility for Flats, Apartments and Housing Societies
A flat owner may participate through an individual residential connection where roof allocation, association permission and the permitted metering arrangement make it possible. RWAs, Apartment Owner Associations and similar resident entities can also apply for eligible common-facility installations.
Common-Facility Connection
The supported RWA or group-housing connection should be dedicated to common facilities. It should not be used as a substitute connection for supplying electricity directly to individual homes. Common uses may include lifts, water pumps, lighting and EV charging, subject to the approved design and regulations.
Capacity Limit
CFA-supported capacity for common facilities may extend up to 500 kW at a maximum of 3 kW per house. The ceiling includes individual rooftop plants already installed by residents within the society.
Can Existing Solar Owners Receive Additional CFA?
The answer depends on the earlier system’s capacity and subsidy history. A household that previously received MNRE CFA for a system below 3 kW may be eligible for additional assistance only for the balance capacity up to an overall 3 kW plant size.
Earlier subsidised plant below 3 kW
Additional CFA may be available only for the eligible balance capacity up to the overall household limit.
Already received full eligible CFA
Expansion beyond the supported capacity does not create additional household CFA above 3 kW.
Relocated subsidised plant
Moving the installation to another location does not make it eligible for a fresh claim.
Existing non-subsidised system
Obtain a connection-specific assessment from the portal or DISCOM before assuming an expansion qualifies.
Keep the previous sanction, invoice, installed capacity, module details and subsidy record available. Without that history, the balance eligible capacity cannot be calculated reliably.
Special Eligibility Situations
Battery or Hybrid Solar
Battery storage does not independently increase the CFA. A grid-connected behind-the-meter or hybrid arrangement may qualify only when permitted by the relevant State Electricity Regulatory Commission and approved by the DISCOM. A completely off-grid system is not eligible.
Balcony Solar
A balcony can be an eligible installation location, but the plant must still be technically compliant, linked to the residential connection and processed through the registered-vendor and DISCOM route. A small plug-in device should not be assumed to qualify automatically.
Virtual or Group Net Metering
These arrangements can be eligible when the installation is on an approved roof, terrace, balcony, elevated structure or building-integrated surface and the metering arrangement is approved by the DISCOM.
Agricultural Connection
An agricultural pump or farm connection is not the same as a residential electricity connection under this CFA component. Agricultural solarisation may fall under different programmes and should not be presented as PM Surya Ghar household eligibility.
System Larger Than 3 kW
A residential consumer may install a larger system when consumption, roof space, sanctioned load and local regulations support it. However, there is no additional standard household CFA for capacity beyond 3 kW.
Who Is Not Eligible for Residential CFA?
- Commercial, industrial, government and other non-residential consumer categories
- A system that is not linked to a valid residential electricity account
- A completely off-grid solar installation
- A claim using non-DCR modules where DCR compliance is mandatory
- An installation through an unregistered vendor when CFA is claimed
- A plant that fails the applicable technical or safety inspection
- A second claim for the same installed rooftop solar system
- A relocated previously subsidised system seeking fresh CFA
- An RWA common connection used to distribute electricity directly to individual homes
- An application that cannot establish a valid consumer account or complete portal verification
What to Verify Before Applying
| Check | Where to verify it |
|---|---|
| Residential tariff category | Latest electricity bill or official DISCOM account |
| Correct consumer number | Electricity bill and DISCOM portal |
| Applicant and bank-account consistency | Consumer records, passbook, statement or cancelled cheque |
| Right to use the roof | Title, tenancy agreement, co-owner or association permission |
| Usable roof and structural condition | Physical survey by a competent professional or registered vendor |
| Vendor registration | Official PM Surya Ghar National Portal |
| DCR module commitment | Written quotation and module documentation |
| State metering and capacity rules | DISCOM and State Electricity Regulatory Commission |
| Earlier subsidy history | Previous sanction and portal records |
Frequently Asked Questions About Eligibility
Is there an income limit for PM Surya Ghar?
The residential CFA guidelines do not define eligibility through a general household-income ceiling. The main conditions relate to the residential connection, eligible rooftop system and compliance process. A lender may separately assess income for a loan.
Is there an age limit?
The CFA guidelines do not establish a general age-based benefit category. The applicant must be able to complete the consumer, contractual, banking and portal requirements. Banks may apply their own age rules for financing.
Can a tenant receive the subsidy?
A rented-house case may be possible only when the account holder, property owner, roof permission, bank details and DISCOM requirements are properly aligned. Written permission is essential.
Can a flat owner apply separately from the society?
It depends on the individual residential connection, roof allocation, association approval and metering arrangement allowed by the DISCOM. A society may separately apply for eligible common facilities.
Can an existing solar owner apply?
A previously subsidised system below 3 kW may receive additional CFA only for eligible balance capacity up to an overall 3 kW plant size.
Are commercial properties eligible?
No residential CFA is provided to commercial, industrial, government and other non-residential consumer categories under these guidelines.
Can I install panels myself and claim CFA?
A consumer claiming CFA must use a vendor registered on the National Portal. A self-installed or unregistered-vendor system should not be assumed eligible.
Can imported or non-DCR modules be used?
Not for a CFA claim subject to the DCR rule. Use of non-DCR modules makes the installation ineligible for the subsidy. Consumers formally forgoing CFA may be treated differently under the “Give It Up” option.
Does eligibility guarantee ₹78,000?
No. ₹78,000 is the maximum standard CFA for an eligible household system of 3 kW or more. Smaller systems receive assistance according to capacity, and payment depends on installation, inspection and approval.
Your Next Step After Checking Eligibility
Confirm the connection category, roof rights, earlier subsidy history, system type and local metering rules before making a payment. Use the official portal, compare registered vendors and keep every equipment, warranty and service promise in writing.
When a rented property, joint ownership, mixed-use connection, apartment roof or existing system creates uncertainty, request a written clarification from the concerned DISCOM instead of relying on an agent’s verbal guarantee.
Official Sources
Disclaimer
Wikisia is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with MNRE, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, any DISCOM, bank, housing society, solar vendor or government authority.
Eligibility may depend on the electricity category, property documents, state rules, metering method, technical design, previous subsidy history and portal verification. Check the latest position through the official National Portal and concerned DISCOM before paying a vendor, signing an agreement or taking a loan.