Subsidy Guide · Tamil Nadu · 2026
PM Surya Ghar Subsidy in Tamil Nadu: Eligibility, Amount & How to Apply
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is India's largest rooftop solar subsidy scheme — and Tamil Nadu homeowners stand to save up to ₹78,000 on a new installation. Here's everything you need to know in 2026, written by the SVN Safetech engineering team in Trichy.
In this guide
- • What is PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
- • PM Surya Ghar subsidy slabs for Tamil Nadu (2026)
- • Eligibility criteria for TANGEDCO consumers
- • Documents required for the application
- • Step-by-step: how to apply on the national portal
- • TANGEDCO net metering rules & timelines
- • Real Tamil Nadu cost example (3 kW residential)
- • Frequently asked questions
What is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
Launched by the Government of India in February 2024, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) is a Central Financial Assistance (CFA) scheme administered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It targets one crore Indian households with subsidised rooftop solar so families get up to 300 free units of electricity per month.
In Tamil Nadu the scheme is implemented in partnership with TANGEDCO (TNEB), and the subsidy is credited directly to the homeowner's bank account after installation and net-meter inspection — no middlemen, no portal delays when paperwork is filed correctly.
PM Surya Ghar subsidy amount in Tamil Nadu (2026 slabs)
The subsidy is paid per kilowatt of installed capacity and is capped at 3 kW for residential consumers:
| System size | Subsidy / kW | Total subsidy | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 | Bills under ₹600/mo |
| 2 kW | ₹30,000 | ₹60,000 | Bills ₹600–₹1,500/mo |
| 3 kW & above | ₹18,000 (capped) | ₹78,000 | Bills ₹1,500+/mo |
Most Tamil Nadu homes land in the 3 kW band — that's where the per-rupee subsidy benefit is highest. Anything above 3 kW gets you extra generation but no extra central subsidy.
Who is eligible? PM Surya Ghar eligibility for Tamil Nadu homeowners
- You must be a residential consumer of TANGEDCO (TNEB) with a valid service connection number.
- Property ownership: house, independent floor, or apartment (RWA-approved) in Tamil Nadu.
- Shadow-free rooftop area of at least 100 sq ft per kW (so ~300 sq ft for a 3 kW system).
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number and an active savings bank account in the applicant's name.
- No existing rooftop solar subsidy claimed previously for the same property.
Documents required for PM Surya Ghar application
How to apply for PM Surya Ghar in Tamil Nadu: step-by-step
- 1
Register on the national portal
Visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in and register with your state (Tamil Nadu), district, TANGEDCO consumer number, and mobile number.
- 2
Submit consumer details & rooftop info
Login, fill the rooftop solar application form, declare sanctioned load and proposed kW capacity.
- 3
Wait for DISCOM feasibility approval
TANGEDCO reviews technical feasibility — usually 7 to 10 working days. You'll get an SMS once approved.
- 4
Choose an MNRE-empanelled vendor
Select a registered installer from the portal. SVN Safetech is empanelled and handles end-to-end paperwork for Trichy, Karur, Pudukkottai, Namakkal and across Tamil Nadu.
- 5
Installation & inspection
Vendor installs MNRE-approved panels and inverter (typically 2–4 days for a 3 kW system). Net-meter inspection follows.
- 6
Submit plant details & bank info
Once commissioned, upload commissioning report, geo-tagged photos, and bank account on the portal.
- 7
Subsidy credited to your bank
MNRE transfers the subsidy via DBT to your account within ~30 days of net-meter commissioning.
TANGEDCO net metering rules for rooftop solar
PM Surya Ghar subsidy is only released once your bi-directional net meter is installed and commissioned by TANGEDCO. Key Tamil Nadu rules:
- • Residential systems get 1:1 banking — every exported unit offsets one imported unit.
- • Annual settlement happens in March; surplus export is purchased at ₹2.50–3.00 per unit.
- • Net meter cost (~₹6,000–₹8,000) is typically borne by the consumer and bundled in your vendor quote.
- • Maximum residential capacity allowed is normally limited to your sanctioned load.
Real cost example: 3 kW rooftop solar in Trichy
3 kW on-grid
₹1,95,000
− ₹78,000
₹1,17,000
At Tamil Nadu's average residential tariff and 4–4.5 units/kW/day generation, a 3 kW system typically pays back in 3.5–4.5 years — and keeps generating free electricity for the remaining 21+ years of the panel warranty.
Frequently asked questions about PM Surya Ghar in Tamil Nadu
Is PM Surya Ghar subsidy available for commercial properties in Tamil Nadu?
No. PMSGMBY is residential-only. Commercial and industrial consumers can instead claim 40% accelerated depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act in year one.
Can I take a loan for the remaining amount?
Yes. Public-sector banks like SBI and Canara Bank offer collateral-free rooftop solar loans up to ₹2 lakh at ~7% per annum, with tenures up to 10 years.
What if my roof is shared (apartment / RWA)?
Group Housing Societies and RWAs can avail the subsidy under the GHS/RWA category — up to ₹18,000/kW for common-area loads, up to 500 kW total.
How long does the entire process take?
From application to subsidy credit, expect roughly 6–10 weeks in Tamil Nadu when paperwork is filed correctly the first time.
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