Rooftop Solar Gets Easier as Net Metering Simplified and Fees Waived Across India

In a move to make rooftop solar more affordable and accessible, government has introduced major simplifications to its net metering framework, including the waiver of several fees for residential consumers.

The reforms, notified in August 2025, are aimed at accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGY). Launched in February 2024, the scheme seeks to empower households to generate their own electricity and reduce their dependence on the grid. The initiative undergoes regular reviews at the national level to eliminate procedural bottlenecks and strengthen the shift towards renewable energy.

One of the key changes is the integration of the Net Metering Agreement within the online application process of the PMSGY scheme, removing the need for a separate physical agreement. States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Haryana, and Puducherry have already implemented this digital model, simplifying the experience for consumers.

In a further consumer-friendly step, the Ministry of Power has advised utilities to waive several charges related to rooftop solar installations, including application registration, meter testing, and commissioning fees. Seventeen states and Union Territories have already removed these fees, cutting upfront costs and promoting faster adoption. Utilities opting out of such charges can instead avail of incentives from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Together, these reforms are expected to strengthen India’s residential solar ecosystem by reducing costs, simplifying procedures, and fostering household-level energy independence, furthering the nation’s commitment to clean and sustainable power generation.