🏛 Subsidy Guides
Solar Subsidy for Housing Societies and Apartments in India 2026: Complete Guide
Who appliesSociety collectively
Max subsidyRs 78,000 per flat
Common areasLobby, lifts, lights
Maintenance costShared, lower per flat
Apply atpmsuryaghar.gov.in
Why apartments are different from standalone homes
If you live in a flat, you cannot simply apply for PM Surya Ghar subsidy the same way a standalone homeowner does. The rooftop of your apartment building is common property. It belongs to all flat owners collectively, not to any individual. This means an individual flat owner cannot install solar panels on the rooftop independently and claim subsidy.
The solution is a collective housing society application, where the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) or Apartment Owners Association applies as a unit. Individual flat owners then benefit from reduced common area electricity costs and, depending on how the system is structured, reduced individual electricity bills as well.
Two models: common area solar vs individual flat solar
🏢
Common area solarSystem powers lobby, lifts, pumps and corridor lighting. Reduces society maintenance bill for all residents. Easier to implement.
🏠
Individual flat net meteringEach flat owner gets a separate connection to the solar system. Requires individual DISCOM meters per flat. More complex but full benefit per household.
🤝
Hybrid modelPart of system for common areas, part allocated per flat. Requires society resolution and DISCOM approval for the specific configuration.
🚫
Individual flat, independent applyCannot be done. Rooftop is common property. Individual applications without society resolution are rejected.
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For PM Surya Ghar subsidy in a housing society, the application must be made through the RWA or AOA. Individual flat owners who apply independently with the society’s rooftop address will have their applications rejected at the DISCOM feasibility stage.
MNRE Housing Society Guidelines · 2026
Subsidy amounts for housing society solar
The PM Surya Ghar subsidy structure applies to housing societies the same way it applies to individual homes, but calculated per residential connection included in the system. Here is how it works:
1 kW
Per residential connection · 90-120 units/month
Rs 30,000
2 kW
Per residential connection · 180-240 units/month
Rs 60,000
3 kW+
Per residential connection · 270+ units/month
Rs 78,000MAX PER CONNECTION
A housing society with 20 flats, each with a 2 kW allocation, could receive up to Rs 12,00,000 in total central subsidy. The exact eligibility depends on how the system is structured, how connections are allocated, and your state DISCOM’s specific rules for group net metering.
Step-by-step process for housing society solar application
1
Pass a society resolution
Hold a general body meeting. Pass a formal resolution authorising the RWA or AOA to apply for rooftop solar on behalf of all residents. This resolution is a mandatory document for the DISCOM application.
Hold a general body meeting. Pass a formal resolution authorising the RWA or AOA to apply for rooftop solar on behalf of all residents. This resolution is a mandatory document for the DISCOM application.
2
Get a technical survey done
Contact 2 to 3 DISCOM-empanelled installers for a rooftop survey. They will assess available shadow-free area, structural load capacity, and ideal system size for your building.
Contact 2 to 3 DISCOM-empanelled installers for a rooftop survey. They will assess available shadow-free area, structural load capacity, and ideal system size for your building.
3
Decide on the model and system size
Common area only, individual flat allocation, or hybrid. System size depends on available rooftop area and how many connections will be included. Get quotes for each option.
Common area only, individual flat allocation, or hybrid. System size depends on available rooftop area and how many connections will be included. Get quotes for each option.
4
Apply on pmsuryaghar.gov.in
The RWA secretary or authorised member applies using the society’s registered electricity connection number. Individual flat connections are linked in the system if going for the individual allocation model.
The RWA secretary or authorised member applies using the society’s registered electricity connection number. Individual flat connections are linked in the system if going for the individual allocation model.
5
DISCOM feasibility and group net metering approval
DISCOM reviews the technical proposal. For multi-connection systems the approval process takes longer than individual applications. Plan for 30 to 60 working days.
DISCOM reviews the technical proposal. For multi-connection systems the approval process takes longer than individual applications. Plan for 30 to 60 working days.
6
Installation, inspection and commissioning
Same as individual process but DISCOM inspection is more detailed for larger systems. Net metering application follows within 30 days of installation completion.
Same as individual process but DISCOM inspection is more detailed for larger systems. Net metering application follows within 30 days of installation completion.
7
Subsidy disbursement per connection
Subsidy is credited to the bank account linked to each individual Aadhaar-verified connection. The society account receives it for the common area component, individual flat owners receive it for their allocated kW.
Subsidy is credited to the bank account linked to each individual Aadhaar-verified connection. The society account receives it for the common area component, individual flat owners receive it for their allocated kW.
Common area solar: what it covers and what it saves
For societies that want the simplest route, common area solar is the most practical starting point. The solar system powers electricity used in shared spaces and saves money from the society’s maintenance collection.
🛗
Lifts and elevators
Typically the largest single common area electricity consumer in a mid-rise building.
Lifts and elevators
Typically the largest single common area electricity consumer in a mid-rise building.
💧
Water pumps
Overhead tank pumping runs during peak solar hours, ideal solar load match.
Water pumps
Overhead tank pumping runs during peak solar hours, ideal solar load match.
💡
Corridor and lobby lights
LED lighting on solar further reduces the common area bill.
Corridor and lobby lights
LED lighting on solar further reduces the common area bill.
📷
CCTV and security
Security systems run 24 hours, and daytime solar powers them directly.
CCTV and security
Security systems run 24 hours, and daytime solar powers them directly.
🌳
Garden and landscape
Irrigation systems and garden lighting during day hours.
Garden and landscape
Irrigation systems and garden lighting during day hours.
💰
Lower maintenance levy
Reduced common area electricity bill directly lowers society maintenance charges.
Lower maintenance levy
Reduced common area electricity bill directly lowers society maintenance charges.
Key documents required for society application
| Document | What It Shows | Who Provides It |
|---|---|---|
| Society registration certificate | Legal entity proof for the RWA or AOA | RWA secretary |
| General body resolution | Consent of all residents for rooftop solar | Passed at society meeting |
| Society electricity bill | Consumer number for common area DISCOM connection | Electricity bill copy |
| Individual flat electricity bills | Consumer numbers if individual allocation model | Each flat owner |
| Rooftop structural report | Load-bearing capacity for solar panels | Structural engineer |
| Installer empanelment certificate | Confirms installer is DISCOM-approved | Chosen installer |
| ALMM panel certificate | Confirms panels qualify for PM Surya Ghar subsidy | Installer or panel supplier |
Frequently asked questions
Can an individual flat owner apply for PM Surya Ghar subsidy independently?
No. The rooftop is common property and individual flat owners cannot apply independently for rooftop solar. The application must go through the housing society or RWA. If you live in a villa or independent house, you can apply individually. The collective process is only for apartments and shared-rooftop buildings.
What if some flat owners do not want solar?
For common area solar, a majority resolution at a general body meeting is typically sufficient. All flat owners do not need to agree individually. For individual flat allocation models where each flat owner’s connection is linked, only participating flat owners are included in the application. Non-participating flats can join later through an amendment application.
Does each flat owner get separate subsidy or is it combined?
For common area solar, the subsidy goes to the society’s bank account. For individual flat allocation models, each flat owner receives the subsidy in their own Aadhaar-linked bank account proportional to the kW allocated to their connection. The per-connection subsidy cap of Rs 78,000 applies to each flat owner separately.
How long does the housing society application take compared to individual applications?
Longer, because DISCOM reviews are more detailed for multi-connection systems. Add 30 to 60 extra working days for the feasibility and group net metering approval stage compared to a standalone home application. Total timeline from application to commissioning is typically 4 to 7 months for a society installation.
Can the solar system be expanded later if more flats want to join?
Yes, in most cases. DISCOM approval is needed for the expansion, and it goes through the same technical review process. The subsidy for additional connections can also be claimed at that point for the newly added flat owners, subject to the scheme being active at that time.
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