Apartment communities have an important opportunity to use rooftop Solar not only for individual flats but also for common facilities such as lifts, corridor lighting, water pumps, security systems, clubhouse loads and EV charging.

Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Group Housing Societies (GHS), Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Apartment Owner Associations (AOAs) and similar resident-created entities can be eligible for Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for rooftop Solar installed for eligible common facilities.

The scheme’s residential-consumer guidelines provide CFA of Rs18,000 per kW for GHS/RWA common-facility Solar, including EV charging, subject to an overall capacity limit of 500 kW and 3 kW per house, with the 3-kW-per-house upper limit inclusive of individual rooftop plants installed by residents in the GHS/RWA.

The scheme is scheduled to be implemented through 31 March 2027, subject to the applicable guidelines and portal procedures.

This makes it important for apartment associations to understand who can apply, what Solar capacity is eligible, how the subsidy is calculated, what documents are required and how the claim is processed.

Quick Answer: Can Apartment Complexes Get PM Surya Ghar Subsidy?

Yes.

Eligible Group Housing Societies, RWAs and similar resident-created entities can receive CFA for rooftop Solar used for common facilities, including EV charging.

The current guideline provides:

Rs18,000 per kW
Maximum eligible GHS/RWA capacity: 500 kW
Capacity ceiling: 3 kW per house
The 3-kW-per-house ceiling includes individual rooftop Solar systems installed by residents
The Solar connection supported under the GHS/RWA component must be dedicated to common facilities
It should not be used to supply electricity directly to individual residential consumers

The exact eligible amount depends on the number of houses, existing individual rooftop installations, the common-facility Solar capacity and the applicable portal/DISCOM verification.

What Is PM Surya Ghar for Apartment Complexes?

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is India’s national rooftop Solar programme for the residential sector.

The scheme was approved with a total outlay of Rs75,021 crore and is intended to support rooftop Solar installations in one crore residential households by FY 2026–27.

For apartment communities, the scheme recognises that residents share many electricity-consuming facilities.

Examples include:

Lift systems
Water pumps
Common-area lighting
Parking-area lighting
Security systems
CCTV systems
Clubhouse facilities
Swimming-pool equipment
Common-area ventilation
Sewage treatment systems
Common-area water systems
EV charging infrastructure

A properly designed Solar system can potentially offset part of the electricity used by these common facilities.

Who Can Claim the Subsidy?

The PM Surya Ghar guidelines specifically recognise several forms of resident-created organisations.

These may include:

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)
Group Housing Societies (GHS)
Apartment Owner Associations (AOAs)
Cooperative Housing Societies
Similar entities responsible for maintaining common facilities

The important point is that the organisation should have responsibility for the overall maintenance and upkeep of the common facilities.

Therefore, an apartment complex does not necessarily need to use the exact legal name “RWA” to qualify.

The actual eligibility depends on the entity structure, electricity connection, project configuration and applicable scheme requirements.

How Much Subsidy Can an Apartment Complex Get?

The current CFA structure for GHS/RWAs is:

Rs18,000 per kW

for eligible common-facility rooftop Solar, including EV charging.

However, there are two important limits:

Limit 1: Maximum 500 kW

The GHS/RWA common-facility component has an upper limit of 500 kW.

Limit 2: 3 kW Per House

The eligible capacity is also limited to 3 kW per house.

Most importantly, the guidelines state that this upper limit is inclusive of individual rooftop Solar plants already installed by individual residents within the GHS/RWA.

Therefore, an apartment association should not simply calculate:

Number of flats × 3 kW = automatically available common Solar subsidy

The calculation needs to consider the individual rooftop systems already installed within the community.

Example: How the 3 kW Per House Rule Works

Suppose an apartment community has 100 houses.

The theoretical 3-kW-per-house ceiling would be:

100 × 3 kW = 300 kW

If the RWA installs a 250-kW Solar system for common facilities, the project can potentially fall within the 300-kW ceiling, subject to the other scheme conditions.

The maximum CFA at Rs18,000/kW would be:

250 × Rs18,000 = Rs45,00,000

This is an illustration of the CFA calculation, not a guarantee that Rs45 lakh will be sanctioned.

The actual claim remains subject to eligibility, installation, documentation, DISCOM verification and the current National Portal process.

Why Individual Residents’ Solar Systems Matter

This is one of the most important points for apartment associations.

Suppose the same 100-flat community already has individual rooftop Solar installations.

Those individual installations count toward the overall 3 kW per house ceiling.

Therefore, an association planning a common-area Solar system should first prepare a Solar inventory showing:

Information	What to Check
Total apartments	Number of eligible houses
Individual Solar systems	Capacity installed by residents
Proposed common Solar	Planned capacity
EV charging	Proposed charging capacity/use
Common electricity connection	Consumer/account details
Total eligible capacity	Subject to the 3 kW/house ceiling
Maximum scheme ceiling	500 kW

This calculation should be completed before finalising the Solar project size.

What Does “Common Facilities” Mean?

The subsidy is intended for Solar connected to facilities used by the apartment community rather than supplying individual flats through the common connection.

Common facilities may include:

Lifts

Solar-generated electricity can potentially offset part of the electricity consumption associated with lift systems, subject to system design.

Water Pumps

Apartment complexes often operate:

Borewell pumps
Transfer pumps
Booster pumps
Water-treatment systems

These can represent recurring electricity loads.

Common Lighting

Solar can be considered for:

Corridors
Staircases
Parking areas
Security areas
External lighting

Clubhouse

Where applicable, common-area electricity consumption may include:

Lighting
HVAC
Pumps
Equipment
Other community facilities

EV Charging

The PM Surya Ghar GHS/RWA component specifically includes EV charging within the common-facility CFA framework.

This can make Solar planning relevant for apartment communities where EV adoption is increasing.

Important: The Subsidy Is Not for Supplying Individual Flats

This distinction is critical.

The PM Surya Ghar guidelines state that the GHS/RWA connection eligible under this component should be dedicated to common facilities and should not be used to supply electricity to residential consumers within the GHS/RWA.

In simple terms:

Common-area Solar → Common-area electricity consumption

rather than:

RWA Solar connection → Direct electricity supply to individual flats

Individual apartment owners can separately explore their own eligible residential rooftop Solar arrangements where technically and legally feasible.

Can an Apartment Developer Claim the Subsidy?

Yes, there is an important clarification for projects where a developer or promoter is maintaining common areas before an RWA/GHS has been formally constituted.

MNRE issued a clarification stating that CFA support under the GHS/RWA segment can be provided directly to developers/promoters in such cases, subject to an undertaking that the Solar asset will eventually be handed over to the RWA/GHS/AOA/cooperative or another collective created by residents for maintenance.

The developer/promoter must also undertake that the subsidy benefits will be passed on to residents through reduced charges/tariffs for common facilities.

Therefore, newly developed apartment projects should not automatically assume that the absence of a formally constituted RWA makes the project impossible.

Documentation and applicable requirements remain important.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim PM Surya Ghar Subsidy for an Apartment Complex

Step 1: Confirm the Apartment Community’s Eligibility

First identify the organisation responsible for common facilities.

This may be:

RWA
GHS
AOA
Cooperative Housing Society
Other eligible resident-created entity

Also identify the electricity connection serving the common facilities.

The connection and Solar project configuration should be compatible with the scheme and the applicable state/DISCOM regulations.

Step 2: Pass an Association Resolution

Before starting the project, the association should formally approve the Solar proposal.

The resolution can cover:

Solar installation
Proposed capacity
Common-facility usage
EV charging, if applicable
Vendor selection
Funding
Subsidy application
Authorised representative
Bank account for eligible CFA
Maintenance responsibility

A properly documented association decision can help avoid disputes later.

Step 3: Calculate the Eligible Solar Capacity

Do not immediately select a system size based only on available roof space.

Calculate:

Number of houses × 3 kW

Then consider:

Existing individual rooftop Solar
Proposed common-facility Solar
500-kW overall scheme ceiling
Actual common-area electricity demand
Roof availability
Structural limitations
Electrical infrastructure
Applicable DISCOM requirements

The eligible CFA-supported capacity should be established before finalising the project.

Step 4: Analyse Common-Area Electricity Consumption

Collect electricity bills for the common connection.

Ideally, review at least the recent 12 months.

Look for:

Monthly units consumed
Maximum demand, where applicable
Daytime consumption
Pumping schedules
Lift usage
Common-area lighting
Clubhouse consumption
EV charging requirements
Seasonal changes

Solar capacity should be based on the community’s actual electricity requirements rather than simply the maximum subsidy available.

Step 5: Check the Rooftop

A professional rooftop survey should check:

Available roof area
Shading
Roof orientation
Roof condition
Structural strength
Waterproofing
Wind exposure
Maintenance pathways
Fire-safety access
Cable routing
Inverter location
Earthing points

Apartment rooftops often contain water tanks, lift rooms, antennas, communication equipment and other structures.

These should be considered during Solar layout planning.

Step 6: Apply Through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal

The scheme’s residential CFA guidelines state that eligible consumers apply through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal.

The application is associated with a valid consumer account number or equivalent consumer ID for the local distribution utility.

The portal generates an application ID.

For an apartment association, the authorised entity should ensure that the consumer/account details correspond to the eligible common-facility connection.

Do not use an individual flat owner’s electricity connection for a Solar system intended for the entire apartment’s common facilities unless the applicable configuration specifically permits it.

Step 7: Select a Registered Solar Vendor

The PM Surya Ghar CFA process requires eligible consumers to choose a vendor registered on the National Portal.

The association should compare vendors based on:

Solar module specifications
DCR compliance
Inverter quality
Mounting structure
Electrical protection
Earthing
Lightning protection
Monitoring
Warranty
Installation experience
O&M support
Vendor rating
Total project cost

The lowest quotation should not automatically be selected.

Step 8: Finalise the Technical Design

The vendor and association should agree on:

Solar capacity
Module type
Inverter configuration
Mounting structure
DC/AC cable design
Protection equipment
Earthing
Surge protection
Monitoring
EV charging integration
Metering arrangement
Maintenance access

The final design should also account for future common-area electricity requirements.

Step 9: Complete Installation

The registered vendor installs the Solar system according to the approved design and applicable technical requirements.

The vendor should also complete:

Electrical checks
Safety checks
Earthing
Protection installation
System commissioning
Monitoring setup
Documentation

For subsidy eligibility, the equipment and installation should meet the applicable PM Surya Ghar requirements.

Step 10: Upload Installation Details and Documents

After installation, the required project details and documents need to be updated on the National Portal.

The guidelines provide for uploading relevant documentation and geo-tagged photographs after installation.

The vendor may assist the consumer/entity with this process.

Incorrect photographs, missing documents or mismatched system details can delay processing.

Step 11: DISCOM Inspection and Verification

The concerned DISCOM verifies the installed Solar system.

The inspection can cover:

System installation
Technical compliance
Metering arrangements
Electrical safety
System capacity
Documentation

The DISCOM can approve the application or return it for corrections/reject it with appropriate justification.

The CFA process proceeds after the required physical verification and portal process are completed.

Step 12: Meter Installation and Agreement

Where applicable, the DISCOM completes the relevant metering arrangement and agreement.

The PM Surya Ghar guidelines recognise metering mechanisms approved by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission, including arrangements such as:

Net metering
Gross metering
Net billing
Virtual net metering
Group net metering

However, the exact mechanism available to an apartment community depends on the applicable state regulations and DISCOM procedures.

Step 13: CFA Processing

The PM Surya Ghar guidelines provide for an e-token-based CFA release process.

After the application, required documents and DISCOM inspection are completed, the e-token is activated with the eligible CFA based on the actual installed capacity.

The eligible consumer then redeems the e-token through the portal.

The guidelines state that CFA is processed within 15 days of approval by the concerned DISCOM.

This should not be interpreted as a guaranteed end-to-end project timeline because installation, documentation, inspection, meter-related work and corrections can take additional time.

What Documents Should an Apartment Association Keep Ready?

Requirements can vary according to the portal and DISCOM process, but an apartment association should generally prepare:

Organisation Documents

RWA/GHS/AOA registration documents
Association constitution/bylaws
Authorisation letter
Board/committee resolution
Authorised representative details

Electricity Documents

Common-area electricity bill
Consumer/account number
DISCOM details
Sanctioned load/connection information
Existing metering details

Solar Project Documents

Solar quotation
Technical proposal
System capacity
Module details
Inverter details
Installation agreement
Vendor details
Equipment specifications

Bank/CFA Documents

Eligible entity bank account details
Cancelled cheque or applicable bank verification document
Other portal-requested financial documents

Installation Documents

Geo-tagged photographs
Commissioning information
Meter-related documents
Inspection documents
Required agreements

The exact document checklist should be confirmed on the current National Portal and with the concerned DISCOM before submission.

Domestic Content Requirement: A Critical Subsidy Condition

One of the most important technical conditions is Domestic Content Requirement (DCR).

The PM Surya Ghar CFA guidelines state that Solar modules used for installations receiving CFA must satisfy the DCR condition, meaning the modules must be domestically manufactured from domestically manufactured cells.

Using non-DCR modules can make an installation ineligible for CFA.

Therefore, an apartment association should not select Solar modules solely on price.

Ask the vendor to clearly document:

Module manufacturer
Module model
Cell origin
DCR eligibility
Applicable compliance documentation

This should be checked before installation rather than after the project is completed.

Can an Apartment Complex Install More Than 500 kW?

The Solar plant itself may potentially be larger depending on the project’s technical and regulatory circumstances.

However, the PM Surya Ghar GHS/RWA CFA component has a 500-kW ceiling, along with the 3-kW-per-house limit.

Therefore:

Solar system capacity ≠ automatically subsidised capacity

An apartment complex may decide to install additional capacity beyond the CFA-supported portion, but the additional capacity should not be assumed to receive PM Surya Ghar subsidy.

The association should separately evaluate the applicable electricity regulations, financing and project economics for any non-subsidised capacity.

Can EV Charging Be Included?

Yes.

The PM Surya Ghar guidelines explicitly include EV charging within the GHS/RWA common-facility CFA component.

This is relevant for apartment complexes because EV charging can create additional electricity demand.

A community considering Solar and EV charging together should evaluate:

Number of EV chargers
Charger capacity
Expected charging hours
Daytime vs nighttime charging
Common electricity connection
Solar generation profile
Load management
Future EV adoption
Distribution transformer capacity
Metering and electrical safety

Solar should not be sized for EV charging using a simple assumption such as “one EV equals X kW of Solar.”

Actual charging patterns matter.

PM Surya Ghar Subsidy for Apartments in Andhra Pradesh

Apartment associations in Andhra Pradesh need to consider both the central PM Surya Ghar guidelines and the applicable Andhra Pradesh electricity regulations.

APERC’s rooftop Solar framework permits eligible consumers to use approved arrangements such as net metering, gross metering, net billing and other applicable mechanisms, with specific capacity and technical conditions.

APERC has also issued regulations/amendments concerning rooftop Solar, including provisions relevant to group and virtual net-metering arrangements.

Therefore, an Andhra Pradesh apartment association should confirm the applicable arrangement with its DISCOM before finalising the Solar design.

For communities in West Godavari and Tadepalligudem, the project should be assessed against the requirements applicable to the concerned distribution area.

Common Mistakes Apartment Associations Should Avoid

Mistake 1: Assuming every flat automatically gets ₹78,000

The household subsidy and GHS/RWA common-facility subsidy are different components.

Do not calculate the apartment association’s subsidy by simply multiplying the individual household maximum subsidy.

Mistake 2: Ignoring individual rooftop Solar installations

The 3 kW per house upper limit for GHS/RWA capacity is inclusive of individual rooftop systems installed by residents.

This can materially affect the eligible common-facility capacity.

Mistake 3: Using the common Solar connection for individual flats

The GHS/RWA CFA-supported connection is intended for common facilities.

Individual residential supply should not simply be routed through the association’s subsidised common-facility connection.

Mistake 4: Choosing non-DCR modules

Non-DCR modules can make the installation ineligible for CFA.

The association should verify DCR compliance before purchasing modules.

Mistake 5: Choosing a vendor only because of the lowest price

A Solar project includes:

Modules
Inverters
Structures
Cables
Protection
Earthing
Installation
Monitoring
Documentation
Metering coordination
Maintenance

The cheapest quotation may not provide the same scope or quality.

Mistake 6: Installing Solar before understanding the subsidy process

Starting construction before understanding the applicable portal, vendor, documentation and DISCOM requirements can create avoidable problems.

The association should plan the application and installation sequence in advance.

Mistake 7: Ignoring roof structural capacity

Apartment rooftops can have water tanks, equipment rooms and other loads.

A Solar installation should not proceed without considering structural suitability and safe access.

Apartment Solar Subsidy Checklist

Before applying, an RWA/GHS can use this checklist:

☐ Confirm eligible association/entity
☐ Identify common-area electricity connection
☐ Collect recent electricity bills
☐ Count total apartments/houses
☐ Identify existing individual rooftop Solar systems
☐ Calculate 3-kW-per-house ceiling
☐ Check 500-kW maximum CFA-supported capacity
☐ Analyse common-area electricity consumption
☐ Assess rooftop structure and shading
☐ Plan EV charging requirements, if applicable
☐ Select a National Portal-registered vendor
☐ Verify DCR module compliance
☐ Finalise technical design
☐ Submit application through the National Portal
☐ Complete DISCOM requirements
☐ Install Solar system
☐ Upload required documents and geo-tagged photographs
☐ Complete DISCOM inspection
☐ Complete metering agreement/process
☐ Redeem e-token where applicable
☐ Track CFA processing
☐ Maintain project and warranty documents

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can an apartment complex get PM Surya Ghar subsidy?

Yes. Eligible GHS/RWAs and similar resident-created entities can receive CFA for Solar installed for eligible common facilities, including EV charging.

2. How much is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy for an RWA?

The current CFA structure provides ₹18,000 per kW for eligible GHS/RWA common-facility Solar, subject to the scheme’s capacity limits and conditions.

3. What is the maximum Solar capacity eligible for an RWA?

The GHS/RWA CFA component has a maximum of 500 kW, with an additional ceiling of 3 kW per house. The 3-kW-per-house limit includes individual rooftop Solar installations by residents.

4. Can the subsidy be used for apartment lifts and water pumps?

Common facilities such as lifts and water pumps can be part of the common electricity demand served by the eligible Solar system, subject to the applicable connection and project configuration.

5. Can apartment Solar subsidy be used for EV charging?

Yes. EV charging is specifically included within the GHS/RWA common-facility CFA component.

6. Can individual flat owners also claim Solar subsidy?

Eligible individual residential consumers may separately apply under the residential component, subject to the applicable rules. Individual and GHS/RWA capacity limits should be considered together where the scheme specifies an inclusive ceiling.

7. Can a developer apply before an RWA is formed?

MNRE has clarified that, in certain cases where common areas are being maintained by the developer/promoter before an RWA/GHS is constituted, CFA support can be provided to the developer/promoter subject to specified undertakings and conditions.

8. Does an RWA need to use a registered Solar vendor?

For CFA under the scheme’s National Portal process, the consumer must choose a vendor registered on the National Portal.

9. Are DCR Solar panels required for PM Surya Ghar subsidy?

Yes. The CFA guidelines require Solar modules used for subsidised installations to satisfy the applicable Domestic Content Requirement.

10. Can an RWA install more than 500 kW?

A project may potentially have additional non-CFA capacity subject to applicable technical and regulatory requirements, but the PM Surya Ghar GHS/RWA CFA component is capped at 500 kW and is also subject to the 3-kW-per-house ceiling.

11. How long does the subsidy take after DISCOM approval?

The scheme guidelines state that CFA is processed within 15 days of approval by the concerned DISCOM. The overall project timeline can be longer because installation, documentation, inspection and metering processes occur before final approval.

12. Can an apartment association in Tadepalligudem apply?

Apartment associations in Tadepalligudem can evaluate eligibility under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, subject to the applicable DISCOM, National Portal and Andhra Pradesh regulatory requirements.

How VMJ Solar Solutions Can Help Apartment Complexes

For apartment communities in West Godavari, Tadepalligudem and Andhra Pradesh, the first step should be a proper feasibility assessment rather than immediately selecting a Solar capacity.

VMJ Solar Solutions can help evaluate:

Common-area electricity consumption
Number of apartments
Existing individual Solar installations
Eligible CFA capacity
Rooftop availability
Shadow analysis
Structural considerations
Solar system sizing
DCR module requirements
Inverter selection
Earthing and protection
EV charging integration
Monitoring
Documentation
DISCOM coordination
Maintenance planning

The association can then compare the expected Solar generation and project cost with its actual common-area electricity consumption.

Conclusion

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana provides a specific CFA pathway for Group Housing Societies, RWAs, Apartment Owner Associations and similar entities to install Solar for common facilities.

The key points are:

Rs18,000 per kW CFA for eligible GHS/RWA common-facility Solar
Up to 500 kW
Subject to a 3-kW-per-house ceiling
The ceiling includes individual rooftop Solar installations by residents
EV charging is included in the common-facility component
The supported connection is for common facilities, not individual residential supply
Eligible applications follow the PM Surya Ghar National Portal process
DISCOM verification is an important part of CFA release
DCR-compliant modules are required for CFA eligibility
Andhra Pradesh apartment communities must also consider applicable APERC and DISCOM requirements

For an apartment complex, the most important step is to calculate the actual eligible capacity before ordering the Solar system.

A properly planned project can help an apartment community evaluate Solar not only as a subsidy opportunity, but as a long-term strategy for managing common-area electricity consumption, EV charging and future energy requirements.