Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday, 1 September announced that rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW will be installed at zero upfront cost for domestic consumers in Delhi with average electricity consumption of up to 400 units in FY 2025-26. The decision, introduced through the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy-2023, is designed to remove the financial barrier that had previously deterred ordinary households from adopting solar power.

How the Zero-Cost Model Works

Under the revised policy, eligible consumers will receive a combined subsidy of ₹78,000 from the Central government under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and a matching capital subsidy of ₹78,000 from the Delhi government. Where the combined subsidy falls short of the tendered installation cost, the Delhi government will cover the remaining difference through an additional top-up, ensuring consumers pay nothing at the outset.

Previously, households had to make an upfront payment and wait for incentives to arrive in subsequent years — an arrangement that deterred many from participating. The new model front-loads all financial assistance, shifting the economic burden away from the consumer entirely.

Benefits for Low-Consumption Households

Consumers using up to 200 units per month stand to gain the most. They will continue to receive the existing 100 per cent electricity subsidy even after the solar system is installed, and will additionally earn an energy-saving incentive on the electricity they conserve. Surplus solar power fed back into the grid will be compensated at the discom's average power purchase cost, turning households into active participants in electricity generation.

A standard 3 kW rooftop system can generate approximately 300 units of electricity per month. A family consuming 200 units could export the remaining 100 units to the grid, earning revenue in the process. Net metering benefits will be reflected directly on monthly electricity bills.

Maintenance and Long-Term Assurance

To address concerns about post-installation upkeep, the policy mandates that the installing vendor operate and maintain the solar system for a minimum of five years at no additional cost to the consumer. Thereafter, consumers will have the option — routed through the discoms — to continue maintenance coverage for the full 25-year operational lifetime of the system.

Energy Minister Ashish Sood was present at the press conference held at the Delhi Secretariat, where the Chief Minister announced the details of the amendment.

Policy Context and What Comes Next

The amendment aligns Delhi's solar push with the Centre's broader PM Surya Ghar programme, which targets widespread rooftop solar adoption across India. Notably, Delhi's existing electricity subsidy framework remains intact — eligible consumers will benefit from both the subsidy and the solar savings simultaneously, a combination that could significantly reduce or eliminate monthly electricity bills for lower-consumption households.

With implementation details now public, attention will turn to how quickly discoms can onboard vendors and begin installations at scale across the capital.