Everything Delhi homeowners need to know about subsidies, benefits, eligibility, and the rooftop solar process

With rising electricity bills and growing environmental concerns, rooftop solar has become one of the smartest investments for homeowners in Delhi. To accelerate adoption, the Government of India and the Delhi Government have introduced powerful subsidy-backed policies that significantly reduce the cost of installing solar systems.

This blog explains the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the Delhi Solar Policy, how both work together, who is eligible, how much subsidy you can get, and what the complete process looks like for Delhi residents.

☀️What Is PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

The PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a central government initiative launched to promote rooftop solar adoption across India, especially for residential consumers.

Key objective:

Enable households to generate their own electricity, reduce power bills, and receive direct financial subsidy support.

Under this scheme:

• Homeowners install rooftop solar systems

• Electricity bills are reduced by up to 90%

• Subsidy is transferred directly to the consumer’s bank account

This scheme is implemented through the MNRE (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy) in coordination with local DISCOMs.

💰 Central Government Subsidy Under PM Suryaghar (2025)

For residential consumers, the central subsidy structure is:

👉 Maximum central subsidy available: ₹78,000 per household

This subsidy is credited to the consumer’s bank account 45–90 days after system commissioning.

🏛️ What Is Delhi Solar Policy?

The Delhi Solar Policy is a state-level policy designed to further promote rooftop solar adoption within the National Capital Territory.

It works in addition to the central PM Suryaghar scheme.

Objectives of Delhi Solar Policy:

• Increase rooftop solar capacity in Delhi

• Reduce grid dependency

• Support clean energy transition

• Provide state-level incentives and facilitation

Delhi’s policy focuses heavily on:

• Net metering support

• Faster approvals

• Additional financial benefits (as applicable under policy updates)

🔌 Net Metering: The Backbone of Solar Savings in Delhi

Net metering allows your rooftop solar system to export excess electricity to the grid.

How it works:

• Solar power used directly reduces your bill

• Extra units exported are credited

• At night, grid power is adjusted against credits

Net metering is mandatory for:

• Subsidy eligibility

• Maximum bill reduction

All Delhi DISCOMs (TPDDL, BRPL, BYPL) support net metering for residential consumers.

🏠Who Is Eligible for PM Suryaghar + Delhi Solar Policy?

You are eligible if:

• You are a residential electricity consumer

• You own the rooftop or have legal rooftop rights

• You have a valid electricity connection

• You install an on-grid rooftop solar system

• You choose an approved solar vendor

• You apply through the official government portal

⚠️ Commercial, industrial, and society common-area systems are not eligible for residential subsidy.

⚙️ Approved System Types Under the Scheme

Only the following systems qualify for subsidy:

✔️ On-grid solar systems
✔️ MNRE-approved solar panels
✔️ Approved inverters
✔️ Net-meter enabled systems

❌ Off-grid systems
❌ Battery-only systems
❌ Unapproved vendors

⏳ Complete Process for Delhi Residents (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Online Application

• Apply on the PM Suryaghar portal

• Choose your DISCOM and vendor

Step 2: Stage-1 Approval (1–7 days)

• Government verifies rooftop and load details

Step 3: Installation

• Vendor installs the solar system (1–7 days)

Step 4: Stage-2 & Stage-3 Approval

• Technical approval + commissioning request

Step 5: DISCOM Inspection

• Physical verification of plant and wiring

Step 6: Net Meter Installation

• Bi-directional meter installed

Step 7: Subsidy Release (45–90 days)

• Subsidy credited directly to your bank account

💡 How Much Can You Save in Delhi?

A typical Delhi household savings:

Over 25 years, savings can reach ₹10–25 lakhs, depending on system size and tariff escalation.

📉 Why Many Applications Get Delayed or Rejected

Common mistakes include:

• Choosing non-approved vendors

• Incorrect documentation

• Improper system design

• Missing net metering compliance

• Poor installation quality

Choosing an experienced EPC partner ensures smooth approval and faster subsidy release.

🌟 Why PM Suryaghar + Delhi Solar Policy Is a Big Opportunity

For Delhi residents, this is the best time ever to install rooftop solar because:

✔️ High central subsidy
✔️ Delhi-specific support
✔️ Rising electricity tariffs
✔️ Strong sunlight availability
✔️ Short payback period (3–4 years)
✔️ 25+ years of free electricity

✅ Final Takeaway

The combination of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the Delhi Solar Policy makes rooftop solar extremely affordable and beneficial for homeowners.

If you follow the correct process, choose an approved vendor, and ensure proper installation, you can:

• Reduce electricity bills up to 90%

• Receive government subsidy

• Increase property value

• Contribute to a cleaner Delhi

Rooftop solar is no longer a future concept —
it’s a present-day opportunity for Delhi residents.

A Complete Guide for 2025 – System Size, Cost, Panels Required & Real Performance

Delhi’s summers are harsh, with temperatures often crossing 45°C and air conditioners running for long hours. Naturally, one of the most common questions homeowners ask today is:

“Can a 1.5 ton AC run on solar power in Delhi?”

The short answer is:

Yes — you can run a 1.5 ton AC on solar in Delhi.

But the real answer depends on the right solar system size, inverter type, and daytime usage pattern.

This blog explains everything you need to know before running your AC on solar — including capacity requirements, costs, panel count, savings, and practical performance in Delhi’s peak summer heat.

❓ How Much Power Does a 1.5 Ton AC Consume in Delhi?

A modern 1.5 ton inverter AC consumes:

➤ 1.2 – 1.5 units per hour (average)

On extremely hot days, this can rise to:

➤ 1.8 units per hour for non-inverter ACs

If you run the AC for 6–8 hours a day during summer, it will consume:

✔️ 7–12 units per day

✔️ 200–350 units per month

This is where solar becomes a game changer.

What Size Solar System Do You Need to Run a 1.5 Ton AC?

To comfortably run a 1.5 ton AC + other home appliances, you need:

🔹 3kW Solar System (Minimum)

Runs the AC during the daytime plus essentials like:

• Fan

• Lights

• TV

• Fridge

Good for families who use AC mostly during the day.

🔹 5kW Solar System (Ideal Recommendation)

Runs:

• 1.5 ton AC

• Entire house load

• Day + Evening usage

Gives more stability, higher generation, and long-term efficiency.

How Many Solar Panels Are Required?

Solar panel count depends on panel wattage.

For Delhi 2025, most installations use 550W Mono PERC panels.

3kW system:

3,000W ÷ 550W ≈ 6 panels

5kW system:

5,000W ÷ 550W ≈ 9–10 panels

10kW system:

10,000W ÷ 550W ≈ 18–19 panels

Panel count may vary slightly depending on your roof and inverter rating.

Does Solar Work Well in Delhi’s Peak Summer Heat?

Absolutely.

Delhi receives 5.5 – 6.5 kWh/m² of sunlight daily, making it one of the best cities for solar.

In fact, summer is when solar performs the best, because:

• Longer daylight hours

• Stronger sun intensity

• Higher generation during peak AC usage

Even on extremely hot days, modern Mono PERC panels continue generating high output.

🔌 Can Solar Run AC at Night?

Solar directly runs AC only during the daytime.

For night usage, you still need:

• Grid supply, or

• Solar battery backup, or

• Hybrid inverter system

Battery Recommendation:

To run a 1.5 ton AC at night, you need:

• 5kW hybrid inverter

• 7–10kWh lithium battery capacity

This setup increases cost but provides complete independence from power cuts.

💰 Cost of Running a 1.5 Ton AC on Solar in Delhi (2025)

Here’s the approximate price:

3kW System: ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,10,000

5kW System: ₹2,40,000 – ₹3,50,000

10kW System: ₹4,80,000 – ₹7,00,000

After government subsidy:

✔️ 3kW: ₹70,000 – ₹1,10,000

✔️ 5kW: ₹1,60,000 – ₹2,50,000

10kW does not receive higher subsidy beyond 3kW capacity.

How Much Can You Save by Running AC on Solar?

A 1.5 ton AC running 6 hours/day uses around 200–300 units per month.

In Delhi, that costs ₹1,500 – ₹2,700 per month.

With solar, daytime AC usage is almost free.

Annual savings:

₹18,000 – ₹30,000 (just from AC alone)

Whole-house savings (5kW system):

₹40,000 – ₹54,000 per year

Does Solar Reduce AC Performance in Summer?

No.
Solar electricity is the same quality as grid electricity.

Your AC runs exactly the same, with:

• Same cooling

• Same speed

• Same power

• Same performance

Solar simply replaces your grid consumption.

Important Things to Know Before Installing

✔️ Use Mono PERC or Half-Cut panels

Better performance in Delhi heat.

✔️ Choose a good inverter

For AC load, string or hybrid inverters are best.

✔️ Ensure proper wiring & earthing

Prevents heat-related voltage drops.

✔️ Take a proper load analysis

Your installer should calculate:

• AC wattage

• Startup surge

• Daily consumption

✔️ Ensure net metering

Helps export extra units & reduce bills.

🌟 Final Answer: YES, You Can Run a 1.5 Ton AC on Solar in Delhi’s Summers

Solar works extremely well in Delhi’s climate, especially during summer when AC usage peaks.
With a 3kW or 5kW solar system, you can comfortably run your AC, reduce your electricity bill by up to 90%, and recover your investment in just 3–4 years.

Delhi’s heat is strong — and solar turns that heat into savings.