₹78,000 Solar Subsidy Tamil Nadu | 2026 Step Guide

Quick Answer: The PM Surya Ghar Yojana provides up to ₹78,000 in solar subsidy for Tamil Nadu homeowners. The subsidy is ₹30,000/kW for the first 2kW, ₹18,000/kW for 2-3kW, and a flat ₹78,000 for 3kW and above. Apply at pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your TANGEDCO consumer number — Tristar handles the complete process.

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the single largest financial incentive the Indian government has ever offered for rooftop solar. If you own a home in Tamil Nadu and have a TANGEDCO domestic electricity connection, you can claim up to ₹78,000 towards the cost of your solar system — deposited directly into your bank account.

But here is the catch: the process involves multiple agencies, specific document requirements, and strict timelines. One misstep can delay your subsidy by months or disqualify you entirely. This guide walks you through every stage, from registration to the day the money hits your account.

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Understanding the Exact Subsidy Amounts

The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is not a flat ₹78,000 for everyone. The amount depends on the size of the solar system you install:

System Size	Subsidy Rate	Total Subsidy Amount
Up to 2 kW	₹30,000 per kW	Up to ₹60,000
2 kW to 3 kW	₹30,000/kW for first 2 kW + ₹18,000/kW for remaining	Up to ₹78,000
3 kW and above	Fixed amount	₹78,000 (capped)

Key takeaway: A 3 kW system is the sweet spot for maximum subsidy value. You get the full ₹78,000 — and adding more capacity beyond 3 kW does not increase the subsidy. Most Tamil Nadu homes with average consumption of 300–500 units per month find 3 kW to be the ideal size anyway.

Pro tip: Use our Solar Savings Calculator to see which system size is right for your consumption and how subsidy impacts your payback period.

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Step 1: Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in

The entire subsidy process begins with the national portal.

What You Need Before You Start

• Your TANGEDCO consumer number (printed on your EB bill)
• Aadhaar number linked to your mobile number
• Active mobile number for OTP verification
• Email address

Registration Walkthrough

1. Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in and click "Apply for Rooftop Solar."
2. Select your state as Tamil Nadu and your DISCOM as TANGEDCO.
3. Enter your consumer number. The portal will auto-fetch your connection details — name, address, sanctioned load, and connection type. Verify this information is correct.
4. Enter your Aadhaar number. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for verification.
5. Set a password for your portal account. Save these credentials — you will need them throughout the process.
6. Submit the application. You will receive a registration number and confirmation via SMS.

Common Issues at This Stage

• Consumer number not found: Ensure you are using the 12-digit TANGEDCO consumer number, not the account number. It appears on the top-right of your EB bill.
• Aadhaar OTP not received: Your mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar. Visit your nearest Aadhaar centre to update if needed. This step alone can cause 1–2 week delays if your number is not linked.
• Name mismatch: The name on your EB bill must closely match your Aadhaar name. Minor spelling variations are usually accepted, but major differences will flag a rejection.

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Step 2: Gather Your Documents

While your registration is processing, prepare the following documents as scanned copies (PDF or JPEG, under 5 MB each):

Mandatory Documents

Document	Details	Why It Is Needed
Aadhaar Card	Front and back	Identity verification
Latest Electricity Bill	Not older than 3 months	Proves active TANGEDCO connection
Bank Passbook / Cancelled Cheque	First page with account details	Subsidy will be credited here
Property Document	Patta, sale deed, or tax receipt	Proves ownership of the property
Passport-size Photo	Recent, clear photo	Application record

Important Document Guidelines

• The bank account must be in the applicant's name (the person whose name is on the EB bill and Aadhaar).
• Joint accounts are accepted as long as the applicant is one of the holders.
• Property documents should clearly show the address matching your EB connection.
• If the property is in a family member's name, you may need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner.

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Step 3: TANGEDCO Feasibility Approval

After registration, TANGEDCO's local section office reviews your application for technical feasibility.

What TANGEDCO Checks

• Your sanctioned load and connection type (must be LT domestic)
• Whether your local distribution transformer can accommodate additional solar injection
• Structural suitability is not checked by TANGEDCO — that is your responsibility

Timeline

• Typical processing time: 15–30 working days
• You can track the status on the PM Surya Ghar portal under "Application Status"
• If approved, you receive a feasibility approval letter with a validity period (usually 6 months)

What If Feasibility Is Rejected?

Rejections are uncommon but happen when:

• The local transformer is already at capacity for solar connections
• There is a mismatch in your connection details
• Your connection type is not classified as domestic

If rejected, contact your local TANGEDCO AE (Assistant Engineer) office. In most cases, the issue can be resolved with updated documentation or by waiting for transformer capacity to free up.

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Step 4: Choose an MNRE Empanelled Vendor

This is where your subsidy can succeed or fail. You must select a vendor registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal.

Why Empanelment Matters

• Only MNRE-empanelled vendors can upload your installation details to the portal
• Installations by non-empanelled vendors are not eligible for subsidy
• The vendor is responsible for using DCR-compliant (Domestic Content Requirement) panels from the ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers)

How to Select a Vendor on the Portal

1. Log in to your PM Surya Ghar account
2. Navigate to "Select Vendor" after feasibility approval
3. Browse the list of empanelled vendors in your district
4. Compare quotes, ratings, and installation timelines
5. Select your preferred vendor and confirm

What to Look for in a Vendor

• MNRE empanelment (non-negotiable)
• Track record of successful subsidy disbursements (ask for references)
• DCR-compliant panels from the ALMM list (verify the specific brand and model)
• Transparent pricing with a written breakdown of equipment, installation, and net metering charges
• After-sales warranty support — solar systems last 25 years, your vendor relationship should too

Tristar Energy is an MNRE-empanelled vendor with a proven track record of successful subsidy completions across Tamil Nadu. Get a free quote and we will handle the entire subsidy process for you.

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Step 5: Installation and Quality Check

Once you have selected your vendor and signed the agreement, installation typically takes 1–3 days for a residential system.

Installation Process

1. Site survey: Your vendor conducts a detailed roof assessment — shadow analysis, structural load capacity, electrical panel inspection
2. Design approval: Panel layout, inverter sizing, and wiring diagram are finalized
3. Installation: Mounting structure, panels, inverter, AC/DC wiring, earthing, and lightning arrestor
4. Internal testing: The vendor tests the system for generation, safety, and grid compatibility before proceeding to the next step

Quality Standards to Verify

• Panels are mounted with adequate tilt (10–15 degrees in Tamil Nadu) and proper orientation (south-facing)
• All wiring uses UV-resistant DC cables with proper conduit protection
• Earthing is installed for both the mounting structure and the inverter
• The inverter is BIS-certified and appropriately rated for your panel capacity
• A generation meter is installed and functional

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Step 6: Upload Installation Details and Request Inspection

After installation, your vendor uploads the following to the PM Surya Ghar portal:

• Photographs of the installed system (panels, inverter, meter, earthing)
• Equipment details (panel make/model, inverter make/model, serial numbers)
• Commissioning report with generation test data
• Net metering application details

TANGEDCO Inspection

• A TANGEDCO inspector visits your site to verify the installation
• They check that the installed system matches the portal submission
• The inspection is typically scheduled within 15–30 days of the upload
• Be present during the inspection or authorize someone who can answer technical questions

After Successful Inspection

• TANGEDCO issues a commissioning certificate
• A bi-directional (net) meter is installed, replacing your existing meter
• Your system is officially connected to the grid

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Step 7: Net Metering Activation

Net metering is what allows you to export excess solar power to the TANGEDCO grid and receive credits on your bill.

How Net Metering Works in Tamil Nadu

• Your bi-directional meter tracks both import (from grid) and export (to grid)
• At the end of each billing cycle, TANGEDCO calculates the net consumption
• If you exported more than you imported, the excess carries forward as credit
• Settlement happens annually — unused credits at the end of the year are paid at a regulated rate

Timeline for Net Metering

• Meter replacement: 7–15 days after commissioning certificate
• First net-metered bill: Next billing cycle after meter installation

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Step 8: Subsidy Disbursement

This is the final step — and the one everyone is waiting for.

How It Works

1. After commissioning and net meter installation, the vendor (or you) submits the subsidy claim on the portal
2. The portal verifies all details: system size, DCR compliance, inspection approval, and bank account
3. The subsidy amount is processed by MNRE and transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to your Aadhaar-linked bank account

Timeline

• Typical disbursement: 30–60 days after the subsidy claim submission
• Some applicants receive it within 3 weeks; others report delays up to 90 days depending on the processing batch

How to Track Your Subsidy

• Log in to pmsuryaghar.gov.in and check "Subsidy Status"
• You will see stages: Claim Submitted → Under Verification → Approved → Disbursed
• Once disbursed, the exact amount and transaction reference number are displayed

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Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Rejection Reason	How to Avoid It
Non-DCR panels installed	Verify your vendor uses ALMM-listed DCR panels before installation
Bank account mismatch	Ensure the bank account is in the same name as the Aadhaar and EB bill
Incomplete documents	Double-check all uploads are clear, legible, and within size limits
Vendor not empanelled	Always select your vendor through the PM Surya Ghar portal
System size exceeds sanctioned load	Your solar system size should not exceed your TANGEDCO sanctioned load
Feasibility approval expired	Complete installation within the validity period (usually 6 months)
Inspection failure	Ensure installation quality matches portal submissions exactly

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Complete Timeline Summary

Here is what a realistic timeline looks like from start to finish:

Stage	Duration
Portal registration	1 day
TANGEDCO feasibility approval	15–30 days
Vendor selection and agreement	3–7 days
Installation	1–3 days
Portal upload and inspection	15–30 days
Net meter installation	7–15 days
Subsidy disbursement	30–60 days
Total (typical)	2.5–5 months

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the subsidy if I already have solar panels installed?

No. The subsidy is only for new installations registered through the PM Surya Ghar portal. Existing systems installed before registration are not eligible.

Is the subsidy available for commercial or industrial connections?

No. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is exclusively for residential domestic connections. Commercial and industrial consumers can benefit from accelerated depreciation and other incentives instead.

Can I install a system larger than 3 kW and still get the subsidy?

Yes. You can install up to 10 kW under the scheme. However, the subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 regardless of whether you install 3 kW, 5 kW, or 10 kW.

What if my roof is rented or I live in an apartment?

For rented properties, you need a NOC from the landlord. For apartments, the Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) can apply for a common rooftop system, and the subsidy is distributed proportionally.

Do I need to pay the vendor the full amount upfront?

Payment terms vary by vendor. Most require 50% advance and 50% after installation. The subsidy is reimbursed to you (the homeowner), not the vendor. So you pay the full system cost and receive the subsidy as a refund.

What happens if I sell my house after getting the subsidy?

The solar system becomes a fixture of the property. There is no subsidy clawback if you sell. In fact, a solar-equipped home typically commands a higher resale value.

Can I combine the PM Surya Ghar subsidy with a solar loan?

Yes. Many banks and NBFCs offer solar loans at 7–9% interest. You can use the subsidy disbursement to prepay the loan, effectively reducing your EMI burden within 2–3 months of installation.

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Next Steps

The subsidy window will not stay open forever. Government schemes are revised periodically, and the current ₹78,000 benefit for 3 kW systems is among the most generous India has ever offered.

1. Check your savings potential with our Solar Savings Calculator
2. Talk to our team for a free site assessment and subsidy-inclusive quote — Contact Tristar Energy
3. Start your application on pmsuryaghar.gov.in while subsidy funds are still available

Tristar Energy has helped hundreds of Tamil Nadu homeowners successfully claim their PM Surya Ghar subsidy. We handle the paperwork, the installation, and the follow-up — so you can focus on enjoying free electricity.