Karnataka is one of the more progressive states in India on rooftop solar adoption. BESCOM, which covers Bengaluru and surrounding districts, has been among the more organised DISCOMs nationally on net metering processing. Combined with the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy and Karnataka’s generally strong sunlight, homeowners here have a solid case for going solar in 2026.
What subsidies are available in Karnataka in 2026?
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 |
KREDL and state-level support
KREDL (Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited) is the state nodal agency for renewable energy. Karnataka has periodically offered state-level incentives for residential rooftop solar. Verify the current status of any active state scheme at kredlinfo.in before proceeding.
Note: Always confirm current state subsidy amounts at kredlinfo.in and your DISCOM’s solar page before signing any installer agreement.
Karnataka’s DISCOMs
Karnataka has five electricity distribution companies.
BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company): Covers Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Ramanagara, Tumkur, and Davanagere districts.
MESCOM (Mangalore Electricity Supply Company): Covers Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan districts.
CESC (Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation): Covers Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu districts.
HESCOM (Hubli Electricity Supply Company): Covers Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag, Haveri, and Uttara Kannada districts.
GESCOM (Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company): Covers Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari districts.
Your electricity bill clearly states which DISCOM serves your area. Select the correct one on the PM Surya Ghar portal.
Why solar makes sense in Karnataka
Karnataka receives average solar irradiance of 5.0 to 5.8 kWh per square metre per day across most of the state. Northern Karnataka districts like Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari receive higher irradiance, while coastal districts in the Western Ghats region receive lower generation, especially during the extended monsoon.
Bengaluru, despite being at a higher altitude, has a favourable solar profile with long sunshine hours outside the monsoon. A 3 kW system in Bengaluru typically generates 330 to 380 units per month in peak months.
BESCOM’s domestic tariff for higher consumption slabs makes solar savings meaningful for urban Bengaluru households consuming above 300 units per month.
Who is eligible?
To claim the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy in Karnataka:
- You must own a residential property with an active domestic electricity connection from any Karnataka DISCOM
- 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
BESCOM has a specific technical requirement that the rooftop solar system must be installed with an AC disconnect switch and must meet BESCOM’s grid connectivity standards. Your registered installer will handle this, but verify before signing.
How net metering works in Karnataka
Net metering in Karnataka is governed by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). BESCOM has been one of the more consistent DISCOMs nationally on net meter rollout.
Under Karnataka’s net metering framework, surplus solar generation is exported to the grid and credited against your consumption. Monthly surplus credits carry forward. At annual settlement, any remaining export surplus is compensated at a rate set by KERC.
BESCOM urban areas typically see net meter installation within 3 to 6 weeks. Other Karnataka DISCOMs have had more variable timelines. Follow up proactively after 4 weeks if no technician has visited.
How to apply: step-by-step
Step 1: Register on the PM Surya Ghar portal
Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Register with your mobile number and the consumer number from your electricity bill. Select Karnataka and your specific DISCOM.
Step 2: Apply for feasibility approval
Submit your rooftop solar application. Your DISCOM confirms technical suitability. This typically takes 7 to 15 working days in urban Karnataka.
Do not commission installation before receiving this approval.
Step 3: Select a registered installer
Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, has a large and competitive registered installer market. Get at least three quotes. Prices in Bengaluru are generally competitive given the density of installers.
Step 4: Net meter installation
After installation, your installer applies for net meter replacement. BESCOM has a dedicated solar helpdesk in Bengaluru. Follow up after 3 weeks if there is no update.
Step 5: Submit commissioning certificate and claim subsidy
Upload the commissioning certificate and bank details to the portal. Central subsidy credit typically takes 30 to 60 days.
What does solar cost in Karnataka after subsidy?
A fully installed 3 kW system in Bengaluru costs approximately Rs 1.4 lakh to Rs 1.9 lakh before subsidy. After the Rs 78,000 central subsidy, net cost is roughly Rs 65,000 to Rs 1.1 lakh.
Monthly bill savings for a Bengaluru household consuming 400 units are typically Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. Payback period is usually 4 to 6 years.
System sizing for Karnataka households
| Monthly consumption | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Below 200 units | 1 to 2 kW |
| 200 to 400 units | 2 to 3 kW |
| 400 to 600 units | 3 to 5 kW |
| Above 600 units | 5 kW and above |
Common questions
Can apartment residents in Bengaluru apply?
Yes. BESCOM allows individual flat owners to apply for net metering for their share of a rooftop system. The apartment association or RWA typically needs to provide a no-objection certificate. Collective society applications also work and often get better installer pricing.
Does the monsoon significantly affect solar generation in Bengaluru?
Bengaluru’s monsoon runs roughly June to September with considerable cloud cover. Generation drops in these months, but the strong generation from October to May compensates over the year. Annual generation estimates from your installer should account for this seasonal variation.
Is BESCOM’s solar process faster than other Karnataka DISCOMs?
Generally yes. BESCOM handles higher application volumes and has a dedicated solar processing team. Other DISCOMs tend to be slower, particularly in rural divisions.
Summing up
Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, offers good conditions for rooftop solar. BESCOM’s net metering process is among the more organised in India, the installer market is competitive, and the central subsidy substantially reduces upfront cost. The main friction point is net meter installation timelines outside Bengaluru.
Start at pmsuryaghar.gov.in, confirm your DISCOM, and submit your feasibility application before approaching any installer.