Delhi Approves Free Rooftop Solar Panels for Home Users
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's cabinet cleared a scheme covering households that use up to 400 units of electricity a month, with no upfront cost.
The Delhi Cabinet Decision
The Delhi government has approved changes to its solar energy policy that create a fully free rooftop solar scheme for household electricity customers, ABP News reports. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the change at a cabinet meeting on 1 September 2026.
The stated aim is to install rooftop solar systems on 2.3 lakh homes, that is 230,000 homes, in the capital by 2027. Navbharat Times gives the same figure, describing 2.30 lakh families as eligible for free panels.
According to ABP News, households consuming up to 400 units of electricity a month qualify. Those homes can receive a solar system of up to 3 kilowatts at no cost, provided installation is technically feasible at the property.
How the Cost Is Covered
ABP News puts the total funding per installation at around 1.56 lakh rupees. That is made up of a central government subsidy of 78,000 rupees and a matching capital subsidy of the same amount from the Delhi government.
The result, according to the report, is no initial investment from the consumer. Maintenance is also covered for five years, with selected vendors handling operation and upkeep of the system free of charge over that period.
Households will not lose their existing electricity subsidy after installing panels. ABP News says the two benefits run together, so families get power from the solar system and keep the existing discount on electricity drawn from the government grid.
Applying Through the PM Surya Ghar Portal
Applications must be made online through the central government's PM Surya Ghar portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in, ABP News reports. Applicants register first, then log in and complete the Rooftop Solar Application form.
Once an application is cleared, a feasibility approval message is sent to the registered mobile number and shown on the portal. Vendor selection and installation follow that step.
The sources do not say when installations under the Delhi scheme will begin, how vendors will be chosen, or what happens to households that use more than 400 units a month.
The Scheme in Bihar
The same central scheme, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, or free electricity scheme, is being pushed in Sitamarhi district in Bihar. Dainik Bhaskar reports that District Magistrate Tanay Sultania chaired a review meeting on its implementation and progress at the collectorate.
The publication reports a target of 4,000 applications by the 10th. Sultania directed officials to work in mission mode, hold camps, seek help from local public representatives and publicise the scheme widely.
Officials joining the meeting by video conference included the lead district manager, the executive engineer for electricity, the district public relations officer, senior deputy collector Ashutosh Srivastava, block development officers, municipal officials and bank representatives.
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