Delhi has one of the more complex electricity distribution setups in India, with three private DISCOMs and a government-run utility each serving different parts of the city. For homeowners considering solar in Delhi, this means the first step is knowing exactly who supplies your electricity, because the net metering process and timelines differ across BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, TPDDL (Tata Power Delhi Distribution), and NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council).
The good news is that the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy is available to all eligible Delhi homeowners regardless of which DISCOM serves them, and Delhi’s solar irradiance, while not as strong as Rajasthan, is sufficient for a solid financial return.
What subsidies are available for solar in Delhi in 2026?
Delhi homeowners can access the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy. The Delhi government has also periodically run its own solar support initiatives through the Delhi government’s power department.
Central government subsidy under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
| System size | Central subsidy |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 kW | Rs 30,000 per kW (up to Rs 60,000) |
| 2 kW to 3 kW | Rs 78,000 total |
| Above 3 kW | Capped at Rs 78,000 |
Delhi government initiatives
The Delhi government has run Generation Based Incentive (GBI) schemes for rooftop solar in the past, where consumers received a per-unit payment for solar electricity generated, separate from net metering credits. The availability and rate of such schemes changes with policy. Check the Delhi government’s power department website and your DISCOM’s solar page for any active 2026 schemes.
Note: Always verify current state-level schemes before proceeding. Do not rely on information from installers alone, as they may not have the latest scheme status.
Delhi’s DISCOMs: which one is yours?
BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL): Covers south Delhi and west Delhi, including areas like Dwarka, Janakpuri, Vasant Kunj, Saket, Greater Kailash, R.K. Puram, and Mehrauli.
BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL): Covers east Delhi and central Delhi, including areas like Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Civil Lines, and Shahdara.
TPDDL (Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited): Covers north Delhi and northwest Delhi, including areas like Rohini, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Model Town, Narela, and Bawana.
NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council): Covers the Lutyens’ Delhi zone, including Connaught Place, New Delhi railway station area, and central government housing colonies in the New Delhi district. NDMC runs its own electricity distribution and has a separate solar application process from the three private DISCOMs.
Your electricity bill clearly states which company issued it. This is the starting point for your solar application.
Who is eligible for solar subsidy in Delhi?
To qualify for the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy in Delhi:
- You must own a residential property with an active domestic electricity connection from any of the four Delhi distribution entities
- Installation must be by a vendor registered on the PM Surya Ghar national portal
- Feasibility approval must be obtained before installation begins
- The property must not have previously received a central rooftop solar subsidy
Specific considerations for Delhi:
Flat owners and DDA apartments: Flat owners in DDA, cooperative society, and builder floor properties can apply, but common terrace use rights vary by society. If the terrace is shared, a collective application or written no-objection from the RWA may be needed.
Tenants: Cannot apply. The electricity connection and property ownership must be in the applicant’s name.
Properties with low sanctioned load: In older Delhi residential areas, some connections have a sanctioned load of 1 kW or 2 kW. The solar system capacity cannot exceed the sanctioned load. To install a larger system, you would need to first apply for load enhancement from your DISCOM, which adds time and cost.
Net metering in Delhi: how it works across DISCOMs
Net metering in Delhi is governed by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). All four distribution entities are required to offer net metering to eligible consumers, though operational efficiency differs.
Under DERC’s net metering framework, surplus solar generation is exported to the grid and credited to your account. Credits carry forward month to month. At the annual settlement, any remaining surplus export is compensated by the DISCOM at a rate set by DERC.
TPDDL has generally been the most efficient among Delhi’s DISCOMs on net meter installation, with urban north Delhi seeing installation times of 3 to 5 weeks in many cases.
BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna have had more variable timelines. South and west Delhi consumers report net meter installation ranging from 4 to 10 weeks depending on the division and application volume.
NDMC consumers go through a separate solar application process. NDMC has its own solar empanelment and net metering approvals. If you are an NDMC consumer, contact NDMC’s electricity department directly alongside registering on the central portal.
How to apply for solar subsidy in Delhi: step-by-step
Step 1: Register on the PM Surya Ghar portal
Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in and register with your mobile number and consumer number from your electricity bill. Select Delhi as your state and choose your specific DISCOM or NDMC from the dropdown.
Step 2: Apply for feasibility approval
Submit your rooftop solar application. Your DISCOM will assess the technical suitability of your connection for grid-connected net-metered solar. This typically takes 7 to 15 working days.
Do not commission installation before this approval is received.
Step 3: Select a registered installer
Filter the portal’s installer list for Delhi. Delhi has a large registered installer base across all DISCOM areas. Get a minimum of three quotes, as pricing varies noticeably in this competitive market. Check online reviews and ask for references for completed installations in your area.
Installation of a 3 kW system takes 1 to 2 days.
Step 4: Net meter application and installation
After installation, your installer should file the net meter application with your DISCOM. Given the variation in DISCOM speed in Delhi, follow up directly with the DISCOM’s solar helpdesk after 3 weeks if no technician has visited.
TPDDL, BSES Rajdhani, and BSES Yamuna each have dedicated solar helplines and solar desks at their divisional offices. NDMC consumers should contact NDMC’s electricity department separately.
Step 5: Commissioning certificate and subsidy claim
Once the net meter is installed, your DISCOM issues a commissioning certificate. Upload this to the PM Surya Ghar portal along with your bank account details. The central subsidy is credited to your account within 30 to 60 days.
What does solar cost in Delhi after subsidy?
Delhi’s installer market is competitive and fairly mature. A fully installed 3 kW rooftop solar system in Delhi costs approximately Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh before subsidy. After the Rs 78,000 central subsidy, net cost is roughly Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh.
Delhi’s summers are intense, with strong solar generation from March through June. A 3 kW system in Delhi typically generates 360 to 430 units per month in summer months. The monsoon period from July to September reduces generation significantly.
Monthly bill savings depend on your DISCOM’s tariff slab and consumption. Delhi’s domestic tariffs are structured with a significant lifeline slab subsidy for low consumers, meaning solar is most financially rewarding for households consuming above 400 units per month. For a household in the upper tariff slab, monthly savings of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 are achievable with a 3 kW system. Payback period after subsidy is typically 4 to 6 years.
System sizing for Delhi households
| Monthly consumption | Recommended size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Below 200 units | 1 to 2 kW | Delhi’s lower tariff slabs reduce savings at this level |
| 200 to 400 units | 2 to 3 kW | 3 kW maximises the central subsidy |
| 400 to 600 units | 3 to 5 kW | Best ROI range given higher tariff slabs |
| Above 600 units | 5 kW and above | Size to available roof area and sanctioned load |
Common questions from Delhi homeowners
Can I install solar on a terrace shared with neighbours?
A shared terrace requires written consent from co-owners or the RWA before your DISCOM will approve net metering. Your solar panels need to be on a portion of the roof that your connection is linked to. Work with your RWA early in the process if you are in a multi-floor or shared terrace situation.
What is the Delhi government’s Generation Based Incentive scheme?
The Delhi GBI scheme, when active, pays a per-unit incentive for solar electricity generated, separate from bill savings through net metering. This can meaningfully improve returns. Check with your DISCOM and the Delhi power department for the current status of this scheme in 2026.
My sanctioned load is only 2 kW. Can I still install a 3 kW system?
No, not without a load enhancement. You would need to apply to your DISCOM to increase your sanctioned load first. Load enhancement adds cost and several weeks to the process. For homeowners with a 2 kW load, installing a 2 kW system and claiming the Rs 60,000 subsidy may be more practical.
Is solar permitted in south Delhi heritage zone properties?
In some heritage-listed areas and certain conservation zones, there may be restrictions on roof modifications including solar panels. Check with your RWA and Delhi’s urban development authority before proceeding if your property is in a notified heritage or conservation zone.
Timeline for Delhi homeowners
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Portal registration and feasibility application | 1 to 2 days |
| DISCOM feasibility approval | 7 to 15 working days |
| Getting quotes and selecting installer | 3 to 7 days |
| Installation | 1 to 2 days |
| Net meter installation | 3 to 10 weeks (varies by DISCOM) |
| Commissioning certificate | Within 1 week of net meter |
| Subsidy credited to bank | 30 to 60 days after upload |
| Total estimated time | 3 to 5 months |
Summing up
Delhi homeowners have access to a solid central subsidy and a competitive installer market. The complexity of having four different distribution entities is manageable once you confirm which DISCOM serves your property. The main variable in Delhi is net meter installation speed, which differs across DISCOMs and even across divisions within the same DISCOM.
Start at pmsuryaghar.gov.in, identify your DISCOM from your electricity bill, check your sanctioned load, and submit the feasibility application before approaching any installer.