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Delhi Offers Up to 3 kW Rooftop Solar at Zero Upfront Cost Under New Solar Energy Policy

Delhi has revised its solar policy to provide zero-upfront-cost rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW, backed by total subsidies of up to INR 1.56 lakh, to eligible households consuming up to 400 units a month, targeting 2.30 lakh households and 500 MW of additional rooftop capacity by March 2027.

September 02, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the launch of the next version of the Delhi Solar Energy Policy, under which eligible households using up to 400 units a month can get up to 3 kW rooftop solar at zero upfront cost, with 5-year maintenance support and net metering benefits.

The initiative aims to install rooftop solar systems for around 2.30 lakh households by March 2027 and add 500 MW of additional rooftop solar capacity in Delhi. The move is designed to address key barriers that have limited adoption of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in the national capital, including upfront capital requirements, delayed incentives and concerns over operation and maintenance, emphasised Gupta.

Under the scheme, households with average monthly electricity consumption of up to 400 units will be eligible for a government-supported 3 kW rooftop solar system, subject to technical feasibility and scheme conditions. The central government subsidy of INR 78,000 for a 3 kW system will be complemented by an equivalent INR 78,000 capital subsidy from the Delhi government. The remaining cost gap, including the earlier generation-based incentive (GBI), will be supported upfront by the Delhi government.

Gupta said that the government has shifted the incentive structure from recurring payments to upfront financial support to reduce the initial financial burden on consumers. The selected vendors will also provide operation and maintenance services for five years, addressing another major concern for residential consumers.

All eligible consumers will receive the benefit of net metering, allowing surplus electricity generated by rooftop systems to be exported to the distribution companies. The government expects a 3 kW rooftop system to generate around 300 units of electricity, potentially enabling a household consuming around 200 units to export the surplus to the grid.

The programme will be implemented through a utility-led aggregation model, with Indraprastha Power Generation Company (IPGCL) responsible for implementation through a competitive bidding process. The model is intended to improve cost competitiveness and quality while providing consumers with installation support, vendor coordination and grievance redressal.

The Delhi government has also announced measures to reduce the procedural burden for residential rooftop solar installations. The net-metering process, which Gupta said earlier took up to 75 days, has been reduced to 25 days. Application and registration charges for residential rooftop solar systems up to 10 kW have also been waived.

Gupta said that the government has already installed solar systems across Delhi government buildings and will now focus on expanding rooftop solar adoption among residential consumers. The policy also provides for free operation and maintenance by vendors for the first five years, with the government emphasising long-term system performance.

Delhi currently has only 10,073 rooftop solar installations, according to Gupta, with a significant share located on government buildings. The government has therefore set a target of achieving 500 MW of additional rooftop solar capacity by March 2027 and accelerating implementation of the PM Surya Ghar scheme in the capital.

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Policies & Regulations

Delhi New Solar Energy Policy

PM Surya Ghar in Delhi

Residential rooftop solar systems

Delhi Solar Subsidy

Delhi Rooftop Solar Target

Rekha Gupta

Delhi CM