- Net metering runs in the name on the electricity connection, not automatically the owner.
- A tenant usually needs a landlord NOC or written consent for the roof.
- The subsidy goes to the registered consumer, not always the person who paid.
- Match the system life to the lease term — a short lease is a real risk.
- NOC formats, connection-name and RESCO subsidy rules vary — verify with DISCOM/SERC.
Tenants in flats, factories in leased sheds and shops in rented buildings all want solar. But net metering on a rented rooftop raises a question an owner job never has: whose name, whose roof, and whose subsidy? Get the consent and the connection name right and these deals close cleanly.
The core rule: it follows the connection
Net metering follows the electricity connection, not the building deed. The DISCOM sets up the net meter against the registered consumer on the bill. So the first thing to check on any rented-roof job is simple: whose name is the connection in?
That single fact decides who applies, who signs the net-metering agreement, and who the DISCOM treats as the consumer. The roof owner still has to agree, because the panels sit on their building for years, but the application itself rides on the connection name.
Tenant or landlord — who applies?
Who applies depends on whose name the connection is in. If the bill is in the tenant's name, the tenant usually applies, with the landlord's consent for the roof. If the bill is in the owner's name, the owner applies, and the tenant funds the system through a private agreement.
The two common setups
In a flat or shop where the tenant pays their own DISCOM bill, the tenant is the consumer and leads the application. In a building where the owner holds one connection and recovers electricity through rent, the owner must be the applicant. Map this before you quote — it changes the paperwork and the subsidy path.
Segment eligibility table
Use this table to place a rented-roof customer before you promise anything. Each row shows who can apply and the rule that governs it. Connection-name and NOC rules are DISCOM-specific — verify with the DISCOM/SERC.
Source: Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020, DISCOM connection rules and PM Surya Ghar guidelines. Rules vary by state — verify with DISCOM/SERC.
The NOC and landlord consent
In most cases a tenant needs a No Objection Certificate or written consent from the landlord before installing solar and applying for net metering. The panels sit on the owner's roof for years, drill into the structure, and create a long DISCOM relationship, so the owner's sign-off protects everyone.
What the NOC should cover
- Permission to install solar on the specified roof area.
- The term — how long the system can stay, ideally matching the panel life.
- Who owns the system at the end of the lease.
- Roof access for installation, maintenance and removal.
- What happens on sale of the building or change of tenant.
The exact NOC format differs by DISCOM, so verify the required document. Our agreement format guide covers the clauses to lock down.
Who gets the subsidy
The rooftop solar subsidy goes to the registered consumer on whose connection the net metering is set up, under the national scheme rules — not automatically the person who paid for the system. On a rented property that is usually whoever holds the connection.
For residential rooftops, the PM Surya Ghar scheme funds the subsidy against the registered consumer, capped at ₹78,000 at 3 kW for the eligible category. Whether a RESCO or third-party-owned system on a rented roof qualifies for that subsidy is a separate question. Confirm the current subsidy rule and RESCO eligibility against PM Surya Ghar guidelines before you promise a customer a subsidy on a rented roof.
Lease length and the real risk
The biggest risk on a leased roof is time. A solar system lasts well over a decade, but a lease may run only a few years. If the tenant moves out, who keeps the system, and does the net-metering agreement survive?
Match the system to the lease story. For a short lease, a smaller system or a clear removal-and-buyout clause protects the customer. For a long lease, a full system makes sense. When ownership or occupancy changes, the connection name may need updating — our ownership transfer guide covers that path. Spell out the end-of-lease plan in writing before you build.
Documents you will need
On top of the standard net-metering set, a rented-roof job needs proof of consent and tenure. Confirm the exact list with the DISCOM.
- Connection proof — the bill showing the consumer name and sanctioned load.
- Landlord NOC — written consent for the roof in the DISCOM's format.
- Lease or rent agreement — to show tenure and term.
- Single-line diagram — signed by a licensed electrical contractor.
- Equipment datasheets — inverter with anti-islanding protection per CEA standards.
Common pitfalls on rented roofs
These are the mistakes that void a rented-roof deal after the work is done.
- No NOC — installing without the owner's written consent risks removal.
- Wrong applicant — applying in the tenant name when the connection is the owner's.
- Assuming the payer gets the subsidy — it follows the registered consumer; verify.
- Lease shorter than payback — the customer loses money if they move out early.
- No end-of-lease plan — disputes over who keeps the system.
How SuryaHub helps on rented-roof jobs
Rented-roof deals carry extra documents — the NOC, the lease, the consent — and any one of them can void the job later. SuryaHub runs each project from lead through the DISCOM and net-metering steps in one place, tracking the connection name, NOC and lease term per project so nothing slips. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; its only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and subsidy and NOC figures here are estimates to verify.
Track every NOC and lease per job
See how SuryaHub keeps consent, name and DISCOM steps in one place.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can a tenant get net metering on a rented rooftop?+
Yes, a tenant can usually get net metering on a rented rooftop, but only with the landlord consent or a No Objection Certificate for the roof. Net metering runs in the name on the electricity connection, so the application path depends on whose name the bill is in. Verify the connection-name rule with your DISCOM.
Whose name does net metering run in on a rented property?+
Net metering runs in the name on the electricity connection, not automatically the building owner. If the bill is in the tenant name, the tenant usually applies; if it is in the owner name, the owner applies. The roof owner must still consent. Verify the connection-name and consent rule with your DISCOM.
Does a tenant need a landlord NOC for net metering?+
In most cases a tenant needs a landlord No Objection Certificate or written consent before installing solar and applying for net metering, because the panels sit on the owner roof for years. The exact NOC format differs by DISCOM. Verify the required consent document with your DISCOM before you apply.
Who gets the rooftop solar subsidy on a rented property?+
The rooftop solar subsidy goes to the registered consumer on whose connection the net metering is set up, under the national scheme rules. On a rented property that is usually whoever holds the connection, not automatically the person who paid for the system. Confirm the current subsidy and RESCO rule against PM Surya Ghar guidelines.
How does SuryaHub help with rented-rooftop net metering?+
SuryaHub helps EPCs track the NOC, lease term, connection name and consent for each rented-roof job, so nothing voids the agreement later. SuryaHub is pre-revenue, and its only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL. NOC and subsidy rules vary, so figures here are estimates to verify.
Sources & references
Connection rules, the consent requirement and the subsidy rule come from primary government sources. NOC formats, connection-name and RESCO subsidy rules change by state and amendment, so always confirm the current rule with your DISCOM and SERC before you apply.
- Ministry of Power ↗
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020 and connection rules.
- National Portal for PM Surya Ghar ↗
Residential subsidy and registered-consumer rule (verify current).
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA) ↗
Technical and safety standards for grid connection.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MoP, National Portal & CEA sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: Connection, consent and subsidy rules are taken from the government sources above and re-checked every 30 days. NOC, connection-name and RESCO subsidy figures are state-specific estimates — verify with your DISCOM/SERC. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.