Phase-ii of The Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme

Phase-ii of the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme was a central scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) that gave financial support to residential consumers for installing solar panels on their rooftops. The scheme helped families cut their electricity bills and shift to cleaner energy. The scheme period of Phase-ii officially ended on 31 March 2026, and new rooftop solar applications now go through the national PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana portal.

MNRE launched Phase-ii of the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme with the aim of reaching a total capacity of 40,000 MW from grid connected rooftop solar projects across the country. A part of this target was meant for residential consumers through a direct subsidy, while the rest focused on commercial, government and other sectors. Central Financial Assistance under the scheme was paid only after the solar system was installed and checked by the state electricity distribution company (DISCOM).

In Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme was run with the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) as the nodal agency. The target for the Union Territory was a total rooftop capacity of 220 MW, divided between a 20 MW residential scheme and a 200 MW Solar City Mission.

Phase-ii has now been wound down as planned, and families who want a rooftop solar subsidy in 2026 should apply through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. It offers a fixed subsidy of ₹30,000 for a 1 kW system, ₹60,000 for a 2 kW system and ₹78,000 for a 3 kW or larger residential system. This makes it easy for homeowners to get clean power at a lower cost.

Key Information about Phase-ii Rooftop Solar Programme

Benefits

When the scheme was active, it gave clear and simple benefits to homeowners who wanted to generate their own clean power. These points show what families could get under Phase-ii.

• A direct subsidy of 40% of the benchmark cost for rooftop systems between 1 kW and 3 kW, and 20% for capacity above 3 kW. The subsidy was paid straight to the consumer after installation and inspection.
• A single online platform to register, apply and track the whole rooftop solar process, from application to subsidy release in the bank account.
• Lower monthly electricity bills because the solar power generated was used first at home and the extra was sent back to the grid.
• Support for domestic solar panel and module manufacturing, which helped create local jobs and reduce dependence on imported hardware.

For 2026, the same families can get support under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which gives a fixed subsidy of ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW and ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW and above.

Eligibility

Under Phase-ii, the scheme was open to residential electricity consumers and group housing societies. A person living in their own home with a valid electricity connection in their name could apply, as long as they paid their electricity bills regularly and had permission to use the rooftop for the solar installation. The same basic conditions apply for rooftop solar support today, with applications being filed through the PM Surya Ghar portal or the DISCOM.

Exclusions

The scheme was mainly focused on residential and community rooftops. There were no major exclusion rules, other than the fact that the installation had to meet the required quality standards and had to be done through an empaneled vendor to receive the subsidy.

Application Process

New rooftop solar applications in 2026 are filed through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana portal. The steps below show the way to apply for the rooftop solar subsidy.

STEP 1 - Go to the official portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in and register using the electricity consumer number, a valid mobile number and an email address.

STEP 2 - After login, select the state, district and electricity distribution company, then enter the consumer account number to fetch the saved details.

STEP 3 - Submit the application with the correct name as it appears on the electricity bill, the address and the proposed capacity of the solar system, and upload a copy of the latest electricity bill.

STEP 4 - Wait for the DISCOM to give technical feasibility approval. Installation should start only after this clearance is received.

STEP 5 - Pick an empaneled vendor and make sure the panels and inverters meet the required quality standards. A maintenance agreement of at least five years should be signed with the vendor.

STEP 6 - After the installation, apply for net metering through the portal. The DISCOM officials will inspect the setup and install the net meter before a commissioning certificate is generated online.

STEP 7 - Submit the bank details and a cancelled cheque so the subsidy can be transferred directly into the account.

Documents

To get started, a copy of the latest electricity bill was the main document needed. Once the system was installed and checked, bank details and a cancelled cheque were required to receive the subsidy payment.

References

• Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme, MNRE
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Official Portal
• Steps to Apply for Rooftop Solar
• Solar Schemes Grid Connected, MNRE
• J&K Rooftop Solar Application Portal

FAQ's

Is Phase-ii of the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme still running?

The scheme period of Phase-ii ended on 31 March 2026. New rooftop solar applications now go through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in.

How much subsidy can a residential consumer get now?

Under PM Surya Ghar, the subsidy is ₹30,000 for a 1 kW system, ₹60,000 for a 2 kW system and ₹78,000 for a 3 kW or larger residential rooftop system.

How much roof space is needed for a 1 kWp system?

Generally, a 1 kWp system needs about 10 square metres of shadow-free area. The exact space depends on the solar module efficiency and the roof layout.

What are the main advantages of a rooftop solar system?

Solar power lowers the electricity bill, uses otherwise empty roof space well, avoids extra land costs and cuts carbon emissions, which helps the environment.

How long must the hardware warranty last?

Solar modules must hold at least 90% output for 12 years and 80% for 25 years. Other electrical parts and the workmanship must carry a minimum warranty of five years.