ఇంటిపై సోలార్ ప్యానెల్: సబ్సిడీ, ఖర్చు, దరఖాస్తు విధానం

Rooftop solar for your home: Subsidy, cost and how to apply

Telangana gets plenty of sunshine for most of the year. That sun is a problem for us in summer, but if you have solar panels on your home, that same sun can reduce your electricity bill. With the central government's subsidy scheme, rooftop solar is now available to ordinary families as well.

How much electricity is coming in?

Typically, a one kilowatt (1 kW) solar system produces about 4 units of electricity per day in the sunny Telugu states, and about 110–120 units per month (varies depending on weather, panel orientation, and shade).

• For a household using 100–150 units per month: 1–2 kW

• For a home using 150–300 units: 2–3 kW

• For large houses with ACs: more than 3 kW

One kilowatt requires approximately 80–100 square feet of unshaded rooftop space.

Central subsidy — PM Surya Ghar

In 2024, the Central Government launched "PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana". The target is to install solar on one crore houses. The structure of the announced subsidy is:

• Up to first 2 kW: ₹30,000 per kW

• For the third kilowatt: ₹18,000

• Maximum subsidy: ₹78,000 (for systems of 3 kW and above)

Subsidy amounts and terms may change over time, so check on the official portal at the time of application.

What is the total cost?

The price varies depending on the quality of the panel, the type of inverter, the mounting structure, and the vendor. It usually costs a few tens of thousands of rupees per kilowatt. For example, for a 3 kW system, the subsidy is deducted from the total cost and you have to bear the remaining amount. Banks also offer low-interest loans for this. The investment is usually recovered within a few years with monthly bill savings. The panels last up to 25 years.

What is net metering?

If your solar generates more electricity during the day than you use, the excess goes to the grid. At night, you draw electricity from the grid. The "net meter" measures both directions. At the end of the month, you are billed for the difference between "used and supplied." The cost is reduced because there is no need for a battery. (Note: A typical grid-connected system will not operate during a power outage for safety reasons.)

Application Procedure — Step by Step

1. On the pmsuryaghar.gov.in portal, select your state, electricity distribution company (TGSPDCL or TGNPDCL in Telangana) and register with your electricity connection number and mobile number.

2. Apply for rooftop solar. DISCOM will give technical permission (feasibility).

3. Select a vendor from the list of vendors registered on the portal and get the system set up.

4. Submit the setup details and apply for a net meter.

5. A "Commissioning Certificate" will be issued after inspection by DISCOM officials.

6. If bank account details are submitted, the subsidy will be deposited directly into the account.

Precautions

• Choose vendors who are registered on the portal and have good reviews.

• Get warranty documents on the panels and inverter.

• Don't trust brokers who ask for money up front, saying "we will give you a subsidy."

• Dust accumulation on the panels will reduce production — clean with water once–twice a month (not in the heat of the afternoon, but in the morning or evening).

Conclusion

Solar panels on a home are a one-time investment, but they provide benefits for 25 years. In addition to reducing your electricity bill, they also reduce your reliance on coal-fired power, which is good for the environment.

Photo: Gray Watson User:E090 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)