How to apply for PM Surya Ghar on the national portal: step by step
The steps to register, apply, choose a registered vendor, get DISCOM approval, net metering and claim the rooftop solar subsidy on the PM Surya Ghar portal, with documents.
You apply for PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar subsidy online on the national portal, pmsuryaghar.gov.in, or through the official mobile app linked from it. The sequence is: register with your state, DISCOM and consumer number; apply for rooftop solar; wait for the DISCOM's feasibility approval; get the system installed by a vendor registered for your DISCOM; apply for the net meter; the DISCOM inspects and commissions the system; you upload your bank details; and the central financial assistance is credited to your account. Registration is free. The whole process typically takes several weeks to a few months, depending mostly on your DISCOM. This guide explains each step, the documents you need and where applications get stuck.
Before you start: what to have ready
| Item | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Latest electricity bill | Consumer number, name, sanctioned load, DISCOM |
| Mobile number and email | OTP login and status updates |
| Aadhaar or other ID as asked on the portal | Identity verification |
| Bank account in the applicant's name, cancelled cheque or passbook | CFA is credited here |
| Photos of the roof | Some DISCOMs and vendors ask for them |
| Proof of ownership or owner's consent | If you are not the registered owner of the roof |
The name on the electricity connection, the applicant and the bank account holder should match. A mismatch is one of the most common reasons for a stuck subsidy. If the connection is in a deceased parent's name or a previous owner's name, get the name transferred with your DISCOM first.
Step 1: Register
- Open the national portal by typing the address yourself: pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Do not use links in SMS or WhatsApp messages.
- Choose your state and your DISCOM, enter your consumer account number exactly as on the bill, your mobile number and email.
- Verify with the OTP and log in.
If the portal cannot find your consumer number, check the format on the bill (some DISCOMs use a long account ID different from the meter number) and confirm your DISCOM is listed correctly.
Step 2: Apply for rooftop solar
After login, fill the rooftop solar application: the capacity you want, the type of building, and your details. The portal shows the CFA that applies to the capacity you enter. Choosing capacity is not a formality: see how many kW of solar you need. Capacity above your sanctioned load may need a load enhancement first, depending on your state's rules.
Step 3: DISCOM feasibility approval
The DISCOM checks whether the system can be connected at your location: sanctioned load, transformer capacity and the connection status. Under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2024, a complete application for a system up to 10 kW is deemed accepted without a technical feasibility study; for larger systems the study has a 15-day limit. Your state regulations set the detail. Watch the portal for the approval and note the date. If nothing happens, follow up with your DISCOM's rooftop cell and see DISCOM inspection and net meter delays.
Step 4: Choose a registered vendor and sign
After feasibility approval, choose a vendor from the list of registered vendors for your DISCOM shown on the portal. Get at least two written quotations and compare them line by line using the solar quotation and vendor checklist. The quotation should name:
- module make, model, wattage and DCR status;
- inverter make, rating and type;
- mounting structure material and height;
- earthing, protection devices and cabling;
- GST, shown separately (5% on solar power generating systems since 22 September 2025);
- warranty terms and the five-year maintenance commitment;
- who pays the DISCOM's net meter and testing charges.
Step 5: Installation
The vendor installs the system. Be present on installation day if you can. Photograph module labels and serial numbers, the inverter label, the structure anchoring and the earthing pits. Keep the DCR certificate for the modules; without it the subsidy can be rejected. The vendor usually uploads installation details on the portal; check that they are correct.
Step 6: Net meter application, inspection and commissioning
You (or the vendor on your behalf) submit the installation details and apply for the net meter. The DISCOM installs a bi-directional meter, inspects the system and issues a commissioning report on the portal. This is the step with the most variation between states. Under the consumer rules your DISCOM is expected to complete connection within set timelines; your SERC's regulations give the exact days. See net metering vs gross metering for how billing works afterwards.
Step 7: Bank details and subsidy
Once the commissioning report appears, submit your bank account details and a cancelled cheque or passbook copy on the portal. The CFA is then processed and credited to that account. Check that the account is active and in the applicant's name. If it is delayed, see solar subsidy not received.
Typical timeline (illustrative)
| Stage | Illustrative duration | Mostly depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Registration and application | Same day | You |
| Feasibility approval | A few days to a few weeks | DISCOM |
| Vendor selection and installation | 1–4 weeks | Vendor stock and schedule |
| Net meter and inspection | 1 week to a few months | DISCOM and meter availability |
| Subsidy credit | A few weeks after commissioning | Document checks |
If you want a loan
The portal links to bank loan applications for rooftop solar. You can apply for a loan alongside your solar application; the bank will want the vendor's quotation and feasibility approval. See solar loans from public sector banks.
Mistakes that delay applications
- Registering on a look-alike website or through an agent who asks for a fee. See PM Surya Ghar scams and fake websites.
- Signing with a vendor not registered for your DISCOM.
- Installing before feasibility approval.
- Using non-DCR modules to save money, losing the CFA.
- Giving a bank account in a different name.
- Not checking that the vendor uploaded the right capacity and photos.
Back to the pillar guide: rooftop solar cost and payback. The subsidy amounts are in PM Surya Ghar subsidy explained.
Frequently asked questions
Can the vendor apply on my behalf?
Vendors often help with uploads, but the application should be in your name, with your mobile number for OTPs. Do not share OTPs for anything beyond the step in front of you.
Do I pay the DISCOM anything?
DISCOMs may charge for application processing, meter testing or the net meter itself, depending on state rules. Ask for the official charge schedule and pay only through the DISCOM's official channels.
What if I move house?
The system is tied to the connection and roof. Discuss with the buyer or landlord; the subsidy is not refunded to you on sale.
Can I change vendor after applying?
Usually only before installation and subject to the portal's process. Ask your DISCOM's rooftop cell.
Official sources
- PM Surya Ghar national portal — registration, vendor list, application status
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — scheme guidelines
- Ministry of Power — Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules
- Your DISCOM's website — rooftop solar cell, net meter charges and timelines
