- The PM Surya Ghar subsidy releases only after the net meter and commissioning are done.
- Net metering is the gate — no net meter, no subsidy claim.
- The sequence is apply → feasibility → install → net meter → commission → claim.
- The residential subsidy is up to ₹78,000 at 3 kW (verify the current slabs).
- The exact steps, slabs and timeline follow current scheme rules — verify before you quote.
Many EPCs treat the subsidy and the net meter as two checklists. They are really one chain. Under PM Surya Ghar, net metering controls when the subsidy is paid — the claim cannot complete until the bidirectional meter is fitted and the system is commissioned. Get the order wrong and the client's payout sits in limbo.
How the subsidy and net metering connect
The PM Surya Ghar subsidy and net metering are linked steps in one rooftop solar journey, not separate schemes. PM Surya Ghar is the central financial assistance (CFA) for residential rooftop solar; net metering is the DISCOM arrangement that nets your exported units against imported ones. The subsidy is released only once the net-metered system is live.
For EPCs, this means the two cannot be planned apart. The portal application, the feasibility, the install, the net meter and the commissioning all sit on one timeline. A delay in any one — most often the net meter — holds up the subsidy at the end.
Why net metering gates the subsidy
Net metering gates the subsidy because the payout is tied to a commissioned, grid-connected system. The scheme will not release central assistance for a system that has not been verified as installed and connected. The net meter is the proof that the system is live and exporting under a DISCOM agreement.
So the bidirectional net meter is not just a billing device — it is the trigger for the money. No net meter means no commissioning, and no commissioning means no subsidy claim. This is why a stuck net meter is one of the most painful delays an EPC faces. Our guide to the net-meter-not-installed delay covers how to push it through.
The correct sequence
The sequence is fixed, and following it in order is the single best way to keep a subsidy claim moving. Here is the flow from application to payout.
Register & apply on the National Portal
The homeowner registers on the PM Surya Ghar portal and applies. The DISCOM checks feasibility for the rooftop system.
Get feasibility approval
The DISCOM approves the connection. Only an empanelled vendor can take the subsidised work.
Install the system
The EPC installs the rooftop system using compliant panels and inverters, then uploads the install details and photos.
Apply for and install the net meter
The DISCOM installs the bidirectional net meter, tests and seals it. This step is the gate — no net meter, no subsidy.
Commissioning & subsidy claim
After commissioning, the homeowner submits bank details on the portal. The subsidy is released to the consumer account after verification.
The portal-side detail of this flow is covered in the PM Surya Ghar net-metering process guide. The DISCOM-side timing varies by state — see net metering timeline by state.
What the subsidy is worth
The PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy is up to ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system, with smaller slabs for smaller sizes. It is paid to the homeowner's bank account after the system is commissioned, not to the EPC. The exact slabs follow the current scheme guidelines, which can change, so verify the latest figures on the National Portal before you quote a client.
Because the money goes to the homeowner, the EPC's pricing and cash flow have to assume the customer funds the job and recovers the subsidy after. The full subsidy playbook lives on the PM Surya Ghar hub.
Where the link breaks
Most subsidy delays trace back to a break in the net-metering chain. Watch these failure points:
- Net meter not installed — the DISCOM is slow to fit or seal the meter, so commissioning waits.
- Wrong sequence — the EPC claims before commissioning and the claim bounces.
- Feasibility issues — the connection was never approved, so the system cannot be net-metered.
- Document gaps — install photos or meter details are missing from the portal.
- Bank seeding problems — the homeowner's account is not ready for the payout.
Each of these is avoidable with a tracked workflow that follows the sequence and does not let the team skip the net-meter gate.
Which metering model qualifies
Net metering is the model the residential scheme is built around, where exported units are netted against imported ones in kWh. Some states have moved certain connections toward net billing or gross metering, which changes how export is valued.
Verify the model in your state
Because the metering model affects both the savings and how the connection is treated, confirm which model applies in the client's state before you quote the payback. The model is set by the state regulator and can change with amendments, so verify the current position with your DISCOM.
Does it apply to commercial and industrial sites?
PM Surya Ghar is a residential rooftop scheme, so the central subsidy does not apply to commercial or industrial connections in the same way. Those segments use net metering without the residential subsidy, and their economics rest on the energy savings alone.
If a client mixes residential and commercial load, separate the two clearly — only the qualifying residential portion attracts the subsidy. Verify the current eligibility and any segment-specific support against the MNRE guidelines and the National Portal.
How SuryaHub keeps the chain unbroken
The subsidy is lost or delayed when the net-metering chain breaks. SuryaHub runs each job through the portal application, install, net-meter and commissioning steps in order, with each document and stage tracked, so the net-meter gate is never the silent reason a subsidy claim stalls. The project tools hold the whole sequence on one timeline. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the subsidy figures here are scheme facts to verify, not guarantees.
Never lose a subsidy to a stuck meter
See how SuryaHub runs the subsidy and net-metering chain in order.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do you need net metering to get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?+
Yes. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is released only after the rooftop system is installed, the net meter is fitted, and the system is commissioned. Net metering is the gate to the subsidy claim. The exact steps and timeline are DISCOM-specific, so verify the current process with your DISCOM and the National Portal.
What is the correct sequence for subsidy and net metering?+
The correct sequence is: apply on the National Portal, get feasibility approval, install the system, then apply for and fit the net meter, and finally commission and claim the subsidy. The subsidy releases only after the net meter and commissioning are done. Verify the current sequence with the National Portal and your DISCOM.
How much is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?+
The PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy is up to ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system, with lower slabs for smaller sizes. The exact amount follows the current scheme guidelines, which can change, so verify the latest subsidy slabs against the MNRE guidelines and the National Portal before quoting a client.
Can the subsidy be claimed before the net meter is installed?+
No. The subsidy cannot be claimed before the net meter is installed and the system is commissioned. A delayed net meter is one of the most common reasons a subsidy claim stalls. If the meter is held up, escalate with the DISCOM, and verify the current claim conditions on the National Portal.
Does the subsidy apply to commercial net metering?+
The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is a residential rooftop scheme, so the central subsidy does not apply to commercial or industrial connections in the same way. Those segments use net metering without the residential subsidy. Verify the current eligibility and any segment-specific support against the MNRE guidelines and the National Portal.
How does SuryaHub help link subsidy and net metering?+
SuryaHub runs each job through the portal, install, net-meter and commissioning steps in order, so the net-meter gate is never the reason a subsidy claim stalls. The workflow tracks each stage and document. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
The subsidy rules, the net-metering requirement and the claim sequence come from the National Portal, MNRE guidelines and the consumer rules. Always confirm the current slabs and process before you quote.
- National Portal for PM Surya Ghar ↗
Subsidy scheme, the net-metering requirement and the claim process.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
Scheme guidelines and the subsidy slabs.
- Ministry of Power — Rights of Consumers Rules 2020 ↗
Net-metering rights and DISCOM connection rules.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against National Portal, MNRE & MoP sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: The sequence and slabs are drawn from the sources above and re-checked every 30 days. Subsidy amounts, sequence and timelines follow current PM Surya Ghar guidelines and must be verified. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.