- This PM Surya Ghar glossary defines 34 key terms in plain English.
- Grouped into scheme, compliance, grid, people and process terms.
- Core acronyms: ALMM, DCR, PBG, DBT, CFA, DISCOM, SNA, RESCO, ULA.
- Written for EPC staff and new hires — many terms also help homeowners.
- Policy-anchored figures (List-II date, PBG, cap) change — verify the current values.
PM Surya Ghar runs on acronyms. ALMM, DCR, PBG, DBT, CFA, DISCOM, SNA — a new EPC hire can drown in them in the first week. This glossary defines every key PM Surya Ghar term in one or two plain sentences, grouped so you can find what you need fast. It is built for installers, but homeowners will find it useful too.
How to use this glossary
The terms below are grouped into five sets: scheme and subsidy, compliance and equipment, grid and metering, people and models, and process and documents. Each definition is one or two sentences in plain English, with the entity named so the meaning is clear out of context.
A note on honesty: some terms carry policy figures — the subsidy cap, the List-II cell date, the PBG tiers. These change. We label them and tell you to verify the current value with MNRE, REC Limited or your state nodal agency before you rely on a number.
Scheme & subsidy terms
These terms cover the PM Surya Ghar scheme itself and how the subsidy is calculated and paid.
- PM Surya Ghar (Muft Bijli Yojana)
- The national rooftop solar scheme that gives a subsidy to homeowners who install grid-connected solar on their roof. PM Surya Ghar is run through the National Portal and the local DISCOM.
- Subsidy (CFA)
- The government grant a homeowner gets for a rooftop install. The subsidy is ₹30,000/kW up to 2 kW plus ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW, capped at ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above (verify the current rate).
- CFA (Central Financial Assistance)
- The formal name for the central government subsidy under PM Surya Ghar. CFA is paid to the customer, not the vendor, and is calculated on the MNRE benchmark cost, not on the EPC's quote.
- State top-up
- An extra subsidy some states add on top of the central CFA. State top-ups, eligibility and amounts change often, so verify the current top-up with your state nodal agency.
- MNRE benchmark cost
- The reference cost MNRE sets for a rooftop system. The subsidy is calculated on this benchmark, so a higher quote does not raise the subsidy — it only raises what the customer pays out of pocket.
- DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer)
- The method the government uses to pay the subsidy straight into the customer's bank account after commissioning and net metering. A name mismatch across Aadhaar, the electricity bill and the bank is the top reason DBT fails.
- Rooftop solar (RTS)
- A solar power system installed on a building's roof and connected to the grid. PM Surya Ghar subsidises residential rooftop solar for homeowners.
Compliance & equipment terms
These terms cover the rules on what equipment a PM Surya Ghar install may use to keep the subsidy.
- ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers)
- A government list of approved solar models and makers. Using non-ALMM equipment leads to subsidy rejection under PM Surya Ghar, so EPCs must source only listed products.
- ALMM List-I
- The ALMM list of approved solar modules (panels). PM Surya Ghar installs must use List-I modules to qualify for the subsidy.
- ALMM List-II
- The ALMM list of approved solar cells. List-II cells become mandatory for PM Surya Ghar from 1 June 2026 (verify the current date and any extension).
- DCR (Domestic Content Requirement)
- A rule that the solar cells and modules used must be made in India. PM Surya Ghar subsidised projects require DCR-compliant equipment; non-DCR equipment causes subsidy rejection.
- Non-DCR
- Solar equipment that does not meet the domestic content requirement, often using imported cells. Non-DCR equipment is not allowed for PM Surya Ghar subsidy claims and leads to rejection.
- Give It Up
- An option to forego the subsidy so a project can use non-List-II cells, for systems commissioned up to 31 March 2027 (verify). EPCs use it when List-II supply is tight and the customer skips the subsidy.
- BIS certification
- The Bureau of Indian Standards mark showing a product meets Indian safety and quality standards. PM Surya Ghar equipment is expected to be BIS-certified.
- Inverter
- The device that converts the DC power from solar panels into AC power the home and grid use. PM Surya Ghar installs use grid-tied inverters, and equipment must meet the scheme's standards.
The ALMM and DCR rules are the most common reason a subsidy is rejected. For the full detail on List-I, List-II and the DCR requirement, see our ALMM and DCR modules guide.
Grid & metering terms
These terms cover how the system connects to the grid and how the meter records power.
- DISCOM (Distribution Company)
- The local electricity distribution company that runs PM Surya Ghar on the ground — it empanels vendors, approves applications, installs the meter and signs off the connection.
- Net metering
- A billing setup where the meter records both the power you draw from the grid and the surplus solar power you send back, and you are billed on the net. Net metering is the common arrangement for PM Surya Ghar homes.
- Bidirectional meter
- A meter that records electricity flow in both directions — import from the grid and export of surplus solar. The DISCOM installs a bidirectional meter to enable net metering.
- Gross metering
- A billing setup where all solar generation is sold to the grid at a set rate and all consumption is bought separately. Gross metering is used in some cases instead of net metering.
- Sanctioned load
- The maximum electricity load your connection is approved for, in kW. Your solar system size is checked against the sanctioned load, and a bigger system may need a load enhancement.
- Load enhancement
- The process of raising your sanctioned load with the DISCOM so the connection can support a larger solar system. It may be needed before installing above the existing sanctioned load.
- Feasibility approval
- The DISCOM's check that the grid can take your rooftop system before you install. Systems up to 10 kW have deemed feasibility under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020, so they are treated as approved.
- Commissioning
- The step where the installed system is tested, connected and certified as live. The subsidy DBT starts only after commissioning and the net meter are done.
People, bodies & models
These terms cover the organisations, roles and ownership models in the PM Surya Ghar system.
- EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction)
- A company that designs, supplies and installs a solar system end to end. PM Surya Ghar empanelled EPCs are the vendors homeowners choose from on the National Portal.
- Vendor empanelment
- Being approved and listed as an installer the DISCOM allows to do PM Surya Ghar work. Empanelment is per-DISCOM and not portable across states.
- PBG (Performance Bank Guarantee)
- A bank guarantee a vendor submits as a quality bond. PBG is ₹2.5 lakh per state, ₹2.5 lakh per state for multi-state, or ₹25 lakh all-India via REC Limited, valid for five years (verify).
- REC Limited
- The national agency that handles all-India PM Surya Ghar vendor registration and the ₹25 lakh PBG for vendors who want to work across the whole country.
- SNA (State Nodal Agency)
- The state body that supports PM Surya Ghar in each state, often the state renewable energy agency. The SNA handles state-level steps and any state top-up.
- RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company)
- A company that owns and maintains the solar system on a customer's roof and sells them the power, so the customer pays for electricity instead of buying the system. RESCO is one of the utility-led PM Surya Ghar models.
- ULA (Utility-Led Aggregation)
- A model where the DISCOM or a utility aggregates many rooftops and arranges the installs, rather than each homeowner doing it alone. ULA is one of the PM Surya Ghar delivery models.
- Suryamitra
- A solar technician trained and certified under the Suryamitra programme. PM Surya Ghar vendor registration requires a minimum number of Suryamitra or SCGJ-trained staff.
- SCGJ (Skill Council for Green Jobs)
- The body that certifies solar skills training, including Suryamitra. SCGJ-certified technicians count toward a vendor's trained-manpower requirement.
The PBG sits at the centre of vendor registration. For the tiers, funding, renewal and forfeiture cases, see our full PBG guide; for third-party ownership, see RESCO and utility-led models.
Process & document terms
These terms cover the portal, the contract, after-sales work and enforcement.
- National Portal
- The official PM Surya Ghar website where homeowners apply, choose a vendor, and track the subsidy, and where vendors register. It connects the customer, vendor and DISCOM.
- Vendor-consumer agreement
- The contract between the EPC and the homeowner that sets the scope, price, timeline and the multi-year maintenance duty. It is a key document the National Portal process expects.
- O&M (Operation & Maintenance)
- The cleaning, monitoring and repair work needed to keep a solar system running. PM Surya Ghar carries a maintenance obligation, commonly five years (verify the current period).
- RMS (Remote Monitoring System)
- A system that tracks a solar plant's generation and faults from a distance. RMS lets an EPC spot problems early and prove the system performs.
- Blacklisting
- When a DISCOM bars a vendor from PM Surya Ghar work for poor performance or serious complaints. Blacklisting can include forfeiture of the vendor's Performance Bank Guarantee.
- CPGRAMS
- The central public grievance portal (pgportal.gov.in) where a consumer can file a complaint that routes to MNRE or the DISCOM with a tracking number. Verify the current grievance channel.
For the money side of the subsidy, our subsidy amounts and cap guide explains how the ₹78,000 cap and the slabs work in practice.
How SuryaHub helps you work these terms
Knowing the terms is one thing; tracking them across every job is another. SuryaHub turns these concepts into a working system — it tracks ALMM and DCR compliance on each procured module, the PBG and DISCOM empanelment, the DBT and net-metering steps through government workflows, and the 5-year O&M. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the policy figures here are scheme facts, not guarantees.
Turn these terms into a workflow
See how SuryaHub tracks ALMM, DCR, PBG and DBT on every job.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What does ALMM mean in PM Surya Ghar?+
ALMM stands for the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. ALMM is a government list of approved solar models and makers, with List-I for modules and List-II for cells. PM Surya Ghar installs must use ALMM-listed equipment, because non-ALMM equipment leads to subsidy rejection. Verify the current list and dates.
What is DCR in solar?+
DCR stands for Domestic Content Requirement. DCR means the solar cells and modules used must be made in India. PM Surya Ghar subsidised projects require DCR-compliant equipment, and using non-DCR equipment causes the subsidy claim to be rejected, so EPCs must source carefully.
What is the full form of PBG in solar?+
PBG stands for Performance Bank Guarantee. PBG is a bank guarantee a vendor submits as a quality bond under PM Surya Ghar — ₹2.5 lakh per state or ₹25 lakh all-India through REC Limited, valid for five years. A DISCOM can forfeit the PBG if it blacklists the vendor. Verify the current tiers.
What is CFA in PM Surya Ghar?+
CFA stands for Central Financial Assistance, the formal name for the central government subsidy under PM Surya Ghar. CFA is paid to the customer by Direct Benefit Transfer, not to the vendor, and is calculated on the MNRE benchmark cost rather than the EPC's quote. Verify the current rate.
What is a State Nodal Agency (SNA)?+
A State Nodal Agency, or SNA, is the state body that supports PM Surya Ghar in each state, often the state renewable energy agency. The SNA handles state-level steps and any state top-up subsidy. Because top-ups and processes change, verify the current details with your SNA.
Is this PM Surya Ghar glossary useful for homeowners too?+
Yes. This PM Surya Ghar glossary is written for solar EPCs and their staff, but many terms — subsidy, DBT, net metering, sanctioned load and feasibility — are equally useful for homeowners trying to understand their rooftop solar application. The definitions are kept in plain English for both audiences.
Sources & references
The policy-anchored definitions below come from primary government sources. Figures like the subsidy cap, the List-II cell date and the PBG tiers change — always confirm the current value with the source before you rely on it.
- National Portal for PM Surya Ghar ↗
Official scheme terms, subsidy structure and the vendor/consumer process.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
Scheme guidelines, ALMM, DCR and the subsidy benchmark.
- REC Limited ↗
All-India vendor registration and the PBG framework.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MNRE, National Portal & REC Limited sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: Purely definitional terms are kept stable; policy-anchored terms (List-II date, PBG tiers, subsidy cap) are re-checked every 30 days against MNRE and REC. Verify policy figures before relying on them. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.