MNRE Issues Branding Guidelines for PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Installations

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced a standardised branding framework for the placement of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) logo on rooftop solar (RTS) installations across the country. The guidelines will apply to installations executed under both the regular CAPEX and Utility Led Aggregation (ULA) modes of the scheme.
 
MNRE said that the initiative is aimed at ensuring uniform identification, visibility and recognition of rooftop solar systems installed under PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which has been under implementation since February 2024 with the objective of installing rooftop solar systems in one crore residential households by FY 2026-27. The ministry has also made the official PMSG: MBY logo available for download through the scheme's National Portal under the Vendor section.
 
The Office Memorandum has been circulated to all State and Union Territory energy departments, DISCOMs, State Nodal Agencies, registered vendors under the scheme, and manufacturers of solar PV modules and solar inverters, requesting them to ensure compliance with the new branding requirements. REC, serving as the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA), has also been directed to facilitate implementation of the guidelines.
 
According to the guidelines, the branding framework seeks to establish a consistent, identifiable and traceable identity for rooftop solar and ULA installations implemented under PM Surya Ghar while maintaining operational integrity. It also aims to promote uniformity across installations undertaken by different vendors under the supervision of DISCOMs in all States and Union Territories. The provisions are applicable to solar PV modules, solar inverters, AC distribution boxes (ACDBs) and any other related equipment or components installed under the scheme.
 
The ministry has specified the exact placement of the PMSG: MBY logo on different system components. For solar PV modules, a 25 mm × 25 mm logo sticker must be affixed on the lower right-hand corner of the front-facing module frame, with a minimum of one sticker per kilowatt of installed capacity, while ensuring that OEM labels, serial numbers, QR codes, warranty information and safety markings remain unobstructed.
 
For solar inverters, vendors are required to place a 50 mm × 50 mm logo sticker on the lower right corner of the front exterior surface without covering display panels, ventilation openings, warning notices or manufacturer markings. Similarly, AC distribution boxes (ACDBs) must carry a 50 mm × 50 mm logo on the lower right corner of the front-facing accessible surface, ensuring that equipment operation, maintenance access and safety information are not affected. The ministry has also provided illustrative diagrams for correct logo placement in the annexure accompanying the guidelines.
 
MNRE has laid down technical specifications for the branding material, requiring the logo stickers to be durable, weather-resistant, UV-resistant, waterproof, corrosion-resistant, dust-resistant and temperature-resistant. The stickers should preferably be made of PVC or an equivalent material suitable for long-term outdoor use and must not compromise equipment performance, cooling, ventilation, insulation, mechanical integrity or statutory markings. Vendors will also be responsible for replacing damaged or worn-out branding materials during the Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC) period.
 
The ministry clarified that any additional expenditure incurred in implementing the branding requirements will have to be borne entirely by the vendors. No separate reimbursement or additional Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be provided under the PM Surya Ghar scheme for branding-related expenses.
 
The guidelines further assign implementation and monitoring responsibilities to the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA), State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) and DISCOMs, which may inspect rooftop solar installations at the commissioning stage as well as after commissioning to verify compliance with the branding framework. These agencies will also be responsible for approving, modifying or seeking rectification of branding arrangements and ensuring that logos do not obstruct critical equipment information or regulatory markings. Any deficiencies identified during inspections or audits must be rectified within prescribed timelines.
 
MNRE has also prescribed enforcement provisions for non-compliance. The ministry stated that the NPIA, DISCOMs, State Nodal Agencies, MNRE or any other designated authority may inspect ongoing or commissioned installations, and if branding deficiencies affect inspection, identification, traceability or overall scheme compliance, the concerned registering authority may, after due notice, initiate action including de-registration of the vendor and imposition of applicable penalties.