Quick Answer: To apply for PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Register at pmsuryaghar.gov.in → Get TANGEDCO feasibility approval (15-20 days) → Install through MNRE-empanelled vendor like Tristar → Complete net metering → Receive ₹78,000 subsidy in your bank account. Total timeline: 3-6 months.

For subsidy amounts and eligibility details specific to Tamil Nadu, see our complete ₹78,000 subsidy guide.

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the most ambitious rooftop solar initiative India has launched to date. With a budget of ₹75,000 crore and a target of solarising 1 crore households, this scheme fundamentally changes the economics of residential solar for Indian homeowners. After helping dozens of families in Tamil Nadu navigate the application process, I want to walk you through exactly what to expect — from eligibility check to subsidy disbursal.

What Is PM Surya Ghar Yojana?

Launched in February 2024 by the Union Government, the scheme provides direct central financial assistance (CFA) to residential consumers for installing grid-connected rooftop solar systems. The promise: up to 300 units of free electricity per month and a one-time capital subsidy that dramatically shortens your payback period.

This is not a loan scheme. The subsidy is a direct benefit transfer to your bank account after successful commissioning and net meter installation.

Subsidy Slabs: How Much Will You Get?

This is what most homeowners want to know first, so let us start here.

System Capacity	Subsidy Amount
Up to 2 kW	₹30,000 per kW
Additional capacity 2–3 kW	₹18,000 per kW
Above 3 kW	Maximum capped at ₹78,000

Worked example: A 3 kW system attracts ₹30,000 x 2 + ₹18,000 x 1 = ₹78,000 total subsidy. A 5 kW system also gets ₹78,000 — the cap applies regardless of size above 3 kW.

For households that genuinely need larger systems, the economics still work well. The subsidy covers a significant portion of the first 3 kW, and the additional capacity benefits from lower per-unit solar generation costs.

Eligibility Criteria

Before you begin the application, confirm you meet all these conditions:

Residential consumers only — commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers are not eligible under this scheme
Single household per connection — one application per electricity meter/consumer number
Must have an existing DISCOM connection — the solar system must be connected to the grid (net metering)
Property ownership — the roof on which panels are installed must be owned or leased with documented permission
Bank account linked to Aadhaar — required for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
No prior subsidy for the same property — households that have already received MNRE subsidy under older schemes are not eligible

Documents You Will Need

Organise these before you start the online application:

Aadhaar card (applicant must be the electricity account holder)
Latest electricity bill (consumer number is essential)
Bank passbook or cancelled cheque (account linked to Aadhaar for DBT)
Ownership proof — sale deed, property tax receipt, or patta document
Passport-size photograph
If renting: NOC from property owner on stamp paper

Step-by-Step Online Application at pmsuryaghar.gov.in

Step 1: Register on the Portal

Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in and click "Apply for Rooftop Solar." Register using your mobile number (OTP verification) and your state plus electricity distribution company (DISCOM). In Tamil Nadu, select TANGEDCO or the relevant DISCOM for your area.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

After registration, log in and fill the application form:

Enter your consumer number exactly as it appears on your electricity bill
Upload scanned copies of all required documents
Specify the desired system capacity in kW
Confirm your bank account details for subsidy transfer

Step 3: Await Technical Feasibility Approval

TANGEDCO will review your application and conduct a technical feasibility assessment. This checks whether the grid in your area can support additional solar generation and whether net metering is available at your connection point. In most urban and semi-urban Tamil Nadu areas, this is approved within 7–15 working days. Rural feeders with weak grid infrastructure may take longer or require load enhancement work.

Step 4: Select an Empanelled Vendor

This is a critical step that many applicants miss. You must use a vendor empanelled with the National Portal for the subsidy to be valid. The portal shows empanelled installers in your district. At Tristar Green Energy Solutions, we are registered on the national portal and handle this selection step for our customers.

Do not allow any vendor to begin installation before feasibility approval. Pre-installation work voids the subsidy.

Step 5: Installation by Empanelled Vendor

Your chosen vendor installs the system — panels, mounting structure, grid-tied inverter, AC/DC cabling, and earthing. The vendor must submit installation details and upload photographs to the national portal upon completion.

Step 6: Net Meter Application to TANGEDCO

After installation, your vendor or you submit the net meter application to TANGEDCO. This is a separate process from the PM Surya Ghar portal but is linked. TANGEDCO will schedule a technical inspection of your installation.

Step 7: TANGEDCO Inspection and Commissioning

A TANGEDCO engineer visits your site to verify:

Panel and inverter specifications match approved design
All safety standards are met (earthing, surge protection, anti-islanding)
The installation is structurally sound

Upon satisfactory inspection, TANGEDCO issues a commissioning certificate and installs the bidirectional net meter (typically takes 15–30 days after application).

Step 8: Upload Commissioning Certificate on Portal

Log back into pmsuryaghar.gov.in and upload the commissioning certificate issued by TANGEDCO. This triggers the subsidy disbursal process.

Step 9: Subsidy Disbursal

The Central Financial Assistance is transferred directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account. Timeline: 30–60 days after uploading the commissioning certificate, subject to MNRE processing. Most Tamil Nadu applicants we have worked with receive their subsidy within 45 days.

Tamil Nadu-Specific Considerations

TANGEDCO has integrated its internal processes with the PM Surya Ghar portal, but a few Tamil Nadu-specific points deserve attention:

Consumer number format: TANGEDCO consumer numbers are typically 11 digits. Enter them without spaces or hyphens.
Phase of supply: Single-phase connections (230V) are eligible for systems up to approximately 5 kW. Three-phase connections allow larger systems.
Agricultural pump consumers: If you have a separate agricultural connection, it does not qualify — only domestic connections are eligible.
Housing board flats: Individual flat owners in TNHB or CMDA apartments can apply if they have individual meters. Common area connections are handled separately under group net metering rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a non-empanelled vendor — the most frequent reason for subsidy rejection
Starting installation before feasibility approval — always wait for written clearance
Mismatched documents — the name on the electricity bill must match the Aadhaar submitted
Undersizing the system — many applicants install only 1 kW to "start small" but leave significant subsidy on the table; a 2–3 kW system is optimal for most households
Not following up on net meter installation — TANGEDCO timelines vary; proactively follow up after 30 days if the net meter has not been installed
Incorrect bank details — double-check IFSC and account number before submission; wrong details delay disbursal by months

Typical End-to-End Timeline

Stage	Duration
Portal registration to feasibility approval	7–15 days
Vendor selection and installation	3–7 days
Net meter application to TANGEDCO inspection	15–30 days
Commissioning certificate upload to subsidy credit	30–60 days
Total (approximate)	55–112 days

Is the Subsidy Worth Pursuing?

Unequivocally yes. On a 3 kW system costing approximately ₹1,80,000, the ₹78,000 subsidy reduces your effective investment to ₹1,02,000. At Coimbatore's irradiation levels, this system generates roughly 12–13 units per day, giving you a payback period of 3–4 years on net investment after subsidy. Over 25 years, the return is exceptional.

Ready to apply for PM Surya Ghar Yojana? Tristar Green Energy Solutions in Coimbatore is a nationally empanelled vendor with experience guiding Tamil Nadu homeowners through the complete subsidy process. We handle the paperwork, coordinate with TANGEDCO, and ensure your installation meets all scheme requirements. Contact us today for a free site assessment and subsidy calculation.

PM Surya Ghar Yojana: How to Apply Online