Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The primary concern of most families in Delhi looking to install rooftop solar is very straightforward – how much would the installation cost them after taking into consideration the subsidies? The amendment made in 2026 to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy aims to alter this equation by providing greater financial support from the State for these installations and developing models where the consumers need not face any upfront costs. According to the Department of Power, Government of NCT of Delhi, the Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 (Second Amendment) has been released via Notification on 17 September 2026. The notification is filed under File No. DOP-EE/21/2026-EE and REM-POWER DEPARTMENT/6436, and it indicates that the policy shall come into force with the release of the Gazette notification. The initial policy was released on 14 March 2024, while its first amendment was made on 10 July 2025. The amendment does more than revise subsidy rates. It adds the DISCOM Trusteeship Model, brings in the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Model, changes Generation-Based Incentive treatment for new residential installations, creates a free-solar structure for certain eligible subsidised households, provides a longer-term O&M framework and changes the way electricity-subsidy eligibility is checked after rooftop solar is installed. For solar vendors, RWAs, Group Housing Societies, equipment suppliers and renewable-energy service providers, the notification also creates a different implementation environment. Competitive bidding, vendor empanelment, performance monitoring, DCR-compliant equipment, and long-term O&M become much more relevant. Delhi Solar Policy 2026 at a Glance Particular Details Issuing Authority Government of NCT of Delhi Department Department of Power Notification Date 17 September 2026 File Number DOP-EE/21/2026-EE and REM-POWER DEPARTMENT/6436 Policy Amended Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 Original Policy Date 14 March 2024 First Amendment Date 10 July 2025 Present Amendment Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 (Second Amendment) Effective Position From issuance of the Gazette notification Revised Policy Validity Till 31 March 2030 unless superseded or modified Residential Rooftop Target 2.20 lakh new installations RWA/GHS Target 66 MW Main New Mechanism DISCOM Trusteeship Model Other Important Model Utility-Led Aggregation Linked Central Scheme PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Major Areas Changed Subsidy, GBI, installation model, O&M, electricity-subsidy eligibility, carbon credits and digital monitoring What Exactly Has Delhi Changed? The Second Amendment does not discard the Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 and start again. It changes selected provisions and adds new ones. It is an important distinction. While some of the older provisions remain valid, others have been replaced. An example of this would be residential solar support, which now tilts more towards having a capital subsidy scheme. At the same time, the Government has added an institutional layer around residential installations. DISCOMs are no longer limited to their conventional electricity-distribution role under this framework. They are given functions relating to demand aggregation, vendor coordination, installation monitoring, O&M, and performance tracking. The changes can be grouped into six broad areas: Higher and restructured financial support for eligible residential solar installations.  A new DISCOM Trusteeship Model to reduce upfront payment pressure.  ULA-based procurement and aggregation under the PM Surya Ghar framework.  Free solar up to 3 kW for a defined category of subsidised residential consumers.  Long-term monitoring, O&M, insurance and digital asset tracking.  Rules dealing with gross electricity consumption, RECs, carbon credits and DCR-compliant equipment.  Delhi Solar Policy Will Now Run Till 31 March 2030 The operative period has been specifically changed. Earlier, the policy was to remain in operation for three years from its notification unless superseded or modified. The amended provision now states that the policy will remain valid until 31 March 2030, unless another policy supersedes or modifies it.  Policy Point Earlier Position After Second Amendment Operative period Three years Till 31 March 2030 Possibility of earlier change Could be superseded or modified Continues Practical effect Shorter implementation window Longer policy horizon For businesses working in rooftop solar, this longer policy horizon gives more visibility around Delhi's intended residential-solar rollout. It does not, however, mean every subsidy component will remain unchanged until 2030. Some components depend on other schemes, approvals, or implementation arrangements. Three New Terms Businesses and Consumers Need to Understand DISCOM Trusteeship Model Under the Trusteeship Model, the DISCOM acts as more than the electricity supplier. It becomes a facilitator for the rooftop-solar project. The State subsidy can be paid directly to the vendor under the prescribed route, while the DISCOM assists with parts of the consumer journey, project monitoring, and later O&M. The idea is straightforward: reduce the amount the consumer has to arrange upfront and create a more organised implementation structure. Utility-Led Aggregation or ULA ULA is linked with PM Surya Ghar. Here, rooftop-solar demand is aggregated, and vendors are selected through a competitive process rather than each consumer independently negotiating every part of the project. Consumer contribution under the Gazette ULA system will not exceed 5,000 rupees per kW of installed capacity, based on the scheme and cost of the project. Subsidies by central and state governments are paid to the vendor directly after installation and commissioning.  Gross Electricity Consumption This is one of the most important definitions in the entire amendment. The Gazette explains gross electricity consumption as the consumer's total electricity consumption and provides the following calculation: Gross Electricity Consumption = Solar Generation + Net Meter Import − Net Meter Export Why does this matter? Because Delhi's electricity-subsidy eligibility will be checked using gross consumption, even though electricity billing itself continues to work through net metering. That difference can decide whether a household remains eligible for electricity subsidy after installing solar. Residential Solar Subsidy in Delhi: What Has Changed? The earlier policy provided a state capital subsidy of 10,000 rupees per kW for residential households, subject to a maximum of 30,000 rupees for a 3 kW system. The Second Amendment changes that structure substantially. Revised State Capital Subsidy Plant Capacity Delhi State Capital Subsidy Position Up to 2 kW Up to 26,000 rupees per kW, subject to prescribed formula Above 2 kW and up to 3 kW Up to 26,000 rupees per kW, subject to prescribed formula Above 3 kW and up to 10 kW No additional Delhi State subsidy stated for capacity above the supported limit Maximum State Capital Subsidy 78,000 rupees The important part is the word “up to.” The policy does not say that every 3 kW installation will automatically receive 78,000 rupees from the Delhi Government. The State subsidy is calculated as the lower of: Tender-discovered project cost minus PM Surya Ghar subsidy or 26,000 rupees × eligible plant capacity subject to an overall maximum of 78,000 rupees.  Why the Subsidy Cannot Be Treated as a Fixed Amount Consider a project where the balance cost after Central subsidy is lower than the maximum Delhi support. Delhi does not pay subsidy above the remaining project cost merely because the theoretical subsidy ceiling is higher. The Gazette specifically says that Central subsidy plus State subsidy cannot exceed the project cost. If it does, the Delhi subsidy has to be reduced.  For households comparing quotations, this is where professional Rooftop Solar Consultancy Services can be useful. The relevant question is not only “What is the subsidy per kW?” but also: What type of installation scheme is to be followed? What would be the amount of cost eligible for the scheme? How much central subsidy would be available? What State-level subsidy would still be available after the central subsidy? Is the roof technically capable? Has the family received any subsidy for solar in the past? A subsidy figure taken out of context can easily give a consumer the wrong project-cost expectation. Generation-Based Incentive: New Residential Installations Move to Upfront Support The amendment also changes Generation-Based Incentive treatment. For new domestic rooftop-solar beneficiaries, GBI in its earlier form is discontinued. Existing consumers continue to receive GBI according to the policy provisions. For new residential installations, that support is instead upfronted as additional State capital subsidy under the revised subsidy clause. The same broad treatment applies to new GHS/RWA installations, where the GBI value is brought into the capital-subsidy structure. Commercial and industrial consumers continue to have the five-year GBI provision under the amended wording.  This is an important distinction. Saying “Delhi has ended GBI” would be inaccurate. The change mainly concerns how support is structured for new residential and specified housing-society installations. 2.20 Lakh New Residential Rooftop Solar Installations Planned The policy sets a target of 2.20 lakh new residential rooftop-solar installations. These are to be taken up on a first-come, first-served basis and monitored using net-metering data. The Gazette also says the policy will be placed before the Cabinet again when implementation approaches the targeted level.  The target should not be read as a promise that every applicant will receive a system. Technical feasibility, eligibility, available programme capacity, and other applicable conditions still matter. Delhi Solar Subsidy for RWAs and Group Housing Societies The Second Amendment gives RWAs and Group Housing Societies a separate subsidy framework for common facilities. Subsidy Structure for RWA/GHS Projects Particular Policy Position Eligible Segment RWA/GHS common facilities EV Charging Included Maximum Project Capacity Up to 500 kWp Per-House Reference Up to 3 kWp per house Delhi State Subsidy 11,000 rupees per kWp Target 66 MW Allocation Approach First-come, first-served Additional Condition Eligibility and sanctioned-capacity availability The 11,000 rupees per kWp support is capped according to the difference between project cost and the applicable PM Surya Ghar subsidy, based on the bidding framework described in the notification. The current RWA/GHS target is 66 MW. Installations are to be monitored through net-metering data and remain subject to eligibility as well as available sanctioned capacity.  Why This Matters for Housing Societies A housing society should not look at rooftop solar only from the point of view of individual flats. Common-area consumption can include: lifts,  water pumps,  corridor and parking lighting,  security systems,  clubhouses,  common utilities, and  EV charging.  A properly planned common solar plant may therefore serve a meaningful portion of society-level electricity use. For such projects, Solar Project Consultancy Services can help an RWA first understand the load, usable rooftop area, project capacity, applicable subsidy route, and VNM/GNM possibilities before moving to vendor selection. What Is the DISCOM Trusteeship Model? The DISCOM Trusteeship Model is probably the most important structural change in the amendment. The reason for introducing it is also practical. Rooftop solar can be financially attractive over its operating life, but many households hesitate because the initial payment is high. According to the Gazette, in the normal PM Surya Ghar route, the consumer chooses the vendor and comes to a consensus regarding the total cost of the project and makes the payments as per the agreement reached. The Trusteeship Model tries to reduce this upfront burden.  How the DISCOM Trusteeship Model Works The broad flow is: Eligible vendors are selected from the PM Surya Ghar vendor ecosystem through the prescribed competitive process.  Project cost is determined through bidding.  The rooftop system is installed and commissioned.  Eligible Delhi Government subsidy is paid directly to the vendor.  The consumer pays the remaining amount under the applicable arrangement.  The DISCOM enables coordination and monitoring and eventually O&M. The notification lays out the liability of the consumer in clear terms: Amount payable by consumer = Discovered project cost - allowable State subsidy. This is very different from a structure where the consumer first pays the entire amount and waits for the State component. What Is the Utility-Led Aggregation Model? ULA goes one step further in aggregating household demand. Rather than multiple households separately negotiating different prices with different vendors, the State implementing structure can procure rooftop-solar installations through competitive bidding. Under the ULA Model: the consumer pays the amount left after eligible Central and State subsidies,  consumer contribution is capped at 5,000 rupees per kW of installed capacity, and  admissible Central and State support is paid directly to the vendor after installation and commissioning.  Only eligible PM Surya Ghar-registered vendors that agree to the financial and service conditions can participate.  ULA vs DISCOM Trusteeship vs Normal PM Surya Ghar Route Point DISCOM Trusteeship ULA Existing PMSG Route Vendor selection Competitive bidding through authorised government structure Competitive bidding Consumer selects eligible vendor Project cost Discovered competitively Discovered competitively Agreed between consumer and vendor State subsidy Paid directly to vendor Paid directly to vendor Paid under existing consumer-linked process Central subsidy As per applicable PMSG mechanism Paid directly to vendor after commissioning Normally released after commissioning Consumer financial burden Lower than conventional route Lowest within prescribed ULA structure Relatively higher upfront Consumer contribution limit Depends on project structure 5,000 rupees/kW ceiling under stated ULA model No equivalent ULA ceiling Long-term O&M DISCOM can facilitate DISCOM can facilitate Not ordinarily covered through same model Insurance Can be facilitated Can be facilitated Not normally part of this structure Can Both Models Operate at the Same Time? Yes. The Gazette states that the ULA Model and DISCOM Trusteeship Model will operate concurrently. ULA is intended to be preferred where the project remains financially viable within the allowed consumer-contribution ceiling. Where the ULA-discovered project cost exceeds the combined value of: admissible Central subsidy,  admissible State subsidy, and  maximum consumer contribution,  the project can instead move under the DISCOM Trusteeship Model. In that case, eligible State subsidy is paid to the vendor and the remaining project cost is paid by the consumer under the prescribed arrangement.  Official Financial Examples Given in the Gazette These examples come directly from the policy document. They should not be treated as universal market prices. Example 1: 3 kW System Costing 1,75,000 rupees Particular Amount Project Cost 1,75,000 rupees Central Subsidy 78,000 rupees Proposed Delhi Government Subsidy 78,000 rupees Consumer Contribution 19,000 rupees The example shows how the two subsidy components reduce the amount payable by the consumer. Example 2: 3 kW System Costing 1,50,000 rupees Particular Amount Project Cost 1,50,000 rupees Central Subsidy 78,000 rupees Delhi Government Subsidy 72,000 rupees Consumer Contribution Nil This second example is useful because it shows that the Delhi subsidy adjusts to the actual project cost. The Government does not pay 78,000 rupees simply because that is the maximum possible State amount. Free Solar Up to 3 kW: Who Is Actually Eligible? “Free solar for Delhi households” sounds simple, but the Gazette attaches clear conditions. The free-solar provision applies to a defined category of residential consumers. The basic criteria that should be fulfilled include the fact that the average electricity consumption of the consumer should not exceed 400 units per month during the last financial year. The system is limited to up to 3 kW and remains subject to rooftop technical feasibility. The household should also not have already taken a solar subsidy under PM Surya Ghar or the Delhi Solar Scheme.  Eligibility Check Eligibility Point Requirement Consumer Type Residential Consumption Test Previous financial year's average gross consumption within 400 units/month Maximum Free Solar Capacity Up to 3 kW Rooftop Must be technically feasible Previous Solar Subsidy Household should not have already availed the specified subsidy Installation Framework Linked to Trusteeship/ULA structure Project Funding Central subsidy + Delhi support + applicable top-up under policy That means a household cannot determine eligibility simply by looking at one month's electricity bill. Consumers Using Up to 200 Units per Month The amendment provides an additional incentive mechanism for consumers in this category. Where applicable, they continue to receive the relevant electricity-subsidy treatment on their net units and can also receive an incentive linked with electricity savings. The Gazette says the incentive is calculated month-wise but settled annually. Gazette Illustration Particular Illustration Gross Monthly Consumption 150 units Solar Plant 2 kW Average Solar Generation 200 units Grid Consumption After Solar 0 units Solar Export 50 units Credit for Surplus at Illustrative APPC Rate 325 rupees Energy-Saving Incentive in Example 225 rupees Total Illustrated Monthly Benefit 550 rupees However, the amount of 550 rupees is just an example and not a promise of monthly income from solar energy. The production of electricity using solar energy depends on the location, performance of the equipment, and season. Consumers Using 201-400 Units per Month The Gazette also provides an example for a consumer using 400 units a month. Particular Example Monthly Consumption Before Solar 400 units Monthly Consumption Before Solar 2,272 rupees Electricity Subsidy 800 rupees Bill After Subsidy 1,472 rupees Rooftop Solar Capacity 3 kW Illustrated Solar Generation 300 units Net-Metered Consumption 100 units Illustrated Bill After Solar and Subsidy Zero Again, the example explains the policy. It is not a fixed bill projection for every household. Gross Consumption and Net Metering Are Not the Same This is the section every household should read before assuming that rooftop solar will make it eligible for Delhi electricity subsidy. Net metering can reduce the units for which the consumer is billed from the grid. But subsidy eligibility is not tested only against that number. The amendment uses gross monthly electricity consumption to decide electricity-subsidy eligibility. Gazette Example: 450 Units of Actual Consumption The policy gives a case where: total monthly consumption is 450 units,  a 3 kW solar plant generates 300 units,  net grid consumption becomes 150 units.  The consumer is billed according to the 150 net units, but the subsidy test still uses the gross figure of 450 units. As a result, the consumer in the example does not become eligible for electricity subsidy merely because net grid consumption has dropped to 150 units. The Gazette shows an electricity bill of 820 rupees for the 150 net units, while electricity subsidy remains unavailable because gross consumption is still 450 units.  Practical Meaning Installing rooftop solar can lower the amount of electricity purchased from the grid. It does not automatically change the consumer's gross-use category for electricity-subsidy eligibility. For consumers near the 400-unit threshold, this distinction deserves careful review before the project is financially planned. Who Owns the Solar Plant for the First Five Years? Under the relevant framework described in the amendment, the GNCTD/Department of Power remains the owner of the rooftop-solar system for the initial five-year period. During those five years, the consumer has the right to use the system for generation and consumption of solar electricity. After five years, ownership moves to the consumer.  This provision appears in the specific Trusteeship/ULA implementation framework. It should not be casually applied to every private rooftop-solar installation in Delhi. Who Does What Under the New Solar Framework? Department of Power, GNCTD The Department of Power is expected to: issue the overall framework for ULA implementation and tendering,  arrange applicable vendor payments,  monitor programme implementation,  coordinate with MNRE,  obtain necessary approvals or clarifications,  carry out awareness activities, and  exercise the specified initial ownership role.  IPGCL or Other Authorised Government Agency IPGCL, or another government agency authorised by the Department of Power, has a procurement role. It can undertake bidding and empanelment from among eligible PM Surya Ghar vendors. DISCOMs DISCOMs have some of the most detailed responsibilities in the notification. They are expected to: aggregate consumer demand,  identify eligible residential participants,  conduct outreach,  coordinate site surveys,  coordinate installation and commissioning,  facilitate net metering,  monitor plant performance,  identify under-performing installations,  support action against non-performing vendors,  ensure initial O&M through the responsible installation vendor,  facilitate O&M after the first five years,  install or facilitate generation-tracking meters, and  maintain project and performance records.  How Will Vendors Be Selected? Vendor participation under the new government-led routes will not be an open-ended arrangement. The framework refers to vendors from the PM Surya Ghar ecosystem and selection through a competitive bidding or empanelment process. Participating vendors will have to meet prescribed conditions relating to areas such as: technical capability,  financial eligibility,  service requirements, and  other conditions included in the actual procurement documents.  The Gazette does not provide every tender document or qualification condition, so businesses should wait for the relevant bid documents before treating any detailed checklist as final. This is also where Solar Project Compliance Services can become commercially relevant for vendors. Tender participation is not only about submitting a low price, but the business may also need to align its technical documents, vendor status, product sourcing, performance commitments, and service structure with the procurement terms. When Will the DISCOM Trusteeship Model Be Implemented? The policy refers to approval of the ULA proposal from MNRE and subsequent vendor procurement. It also refers to vendor empanelment through bidding within 45 days from the notification, while the same section links implementation to receipt of the MNRE decision. Until the new empanelment process is completed, consumers can select from PM Surya Ghar-empanelled vendors.  Interim Subsidy Position During that interim period, the Gazette states: Category State Subsidy Individual residential rooftop solar 26,000 rupees per kW, subject to applicable conditions GHS residential solar under VNM 26,000 rupees per kW, subject to applicable conditions RWA/GHS common-area and EV charging 11,000 rupees per kW, subject to applicable conditions The 45-day wording should not be converted into a guaranteed consumer project-completion period. It concerns the policy's vendor-procurement framework. What If a Household Wants More Than 3 kW? Consumers are not prohibited from installing larger rooftop-solar systems. The policy allows installations above 3 kW through registered vendors outside the Trusteeship/ULA route where applicable. The important distinction is between: capacity a consumer is allowed to install and capacity eligible for the stated Delhi subsidy support. A consumer installing a 5 kW system should therefore not assume that the Delhi State subsidy continues at 26,000 rupees per kW across all 5 kW. Virtual Net Metering and Group Net Metering These mechanisms are particularly relevant for apartments and Group Housing Societies. Virtual Net Metering Virtual Net Metering can allow electricity generated by a common solar system to be allocated across eligible consumer accounts under the applicable framework. Group Net Metering Group net metering can facilitate eligible cases where there is a requirement to consider generation and consumption on an aggregated basis for a number of connections. The provision explicitly covers VNM and GNM/RWA under the Trusteeship regime, depending on the relevant regulations and schemes. For housing societies, this makes Rooftop Solar Consultancy Services more useful than simply asking an installer for a panel quotation. A society may first need to work out whether individual systems, a common plant, VNM, or another permitted structure makes better regulatory and technical sense. O&M During the First Five Years The policy ties the initial five years closely with the installation vendor. Under the relevant PM Surya Ghar framework, the vendor is expected to provide O&M support for the first five years without additional O&M charges under the applicable terms. DISCOMs are also expected to monitor output and plant performance. This creates an accountability period after commissioning rather than treating commissioning as the end of the vendor's involvement. What Happens After Five Years? A rooftop-solar plant can operate much longer than five years. The Gazette refers to an expected life of more than 25 years. After the initial five-year vendor-support period, consumers can use an O&M arrangement facilitated by their DISCOM. The DISCOM can provide or arrange maintenance through: its own manpower, or  empanelled O&M vendors.  Applicable O&M charges may be recovered through or along with the consumer's electricity bill under the approved regulatory mechanism. However, using the DISCOM-facilitated maintenance arrangement is not compulsory. Consumers remain free to make their own O&M arrangement. In such a case, they would not be billed for the monthly DISCOM-facilitated maintenance service.  Optional Insurance for Rooftop Solar Plants The amendment also proposes an optional insurance layer. The insurance can cover risks such as: fire,  theft, and  weather-related damage.  If a consumer chooses the insurance option, the premium can be recovered through or along with the electricity bill together with applicable O&M charges, subject to the regulatory mechanism. The Gazette is clear that this insurance is an additional optional facility, not a mandatory insurance requirement for every rooftop-solar consumer.  Solar Generation Will Be Monitored More Closely The policy puts emphasis on how the system performs after installation. DISCOM responsibilities include monitoring net-metering data and solar generation and identifying plants that are not performing properly. Smart solar-generation meters or generation-tracking capability can also be used for monitoring. For vendors, this makes installation quality important for a longer period. Poor generation cannot simply be hidden behind the fact that the system has already been commissioned. Carbon Credits: Thousands of Small Systems Can Be Aggregated A single household rooftop system is usually too small to participate efficiently in carbon markets on its own. The amendment therefore permits the Trusteeship structure to aggregate environmental attributes from many rooftop systems into a larger portfolio for carbon-credit monetisation. The Gazette also says standard net-metering credits remain with the consumer under the described arrangement.  Where Will Carbon-Credit Revenue Go? The policy does not say that each homeowner will automatically receive a separate carbon-credit payment. Instead, revenue generated from aggregated environmental attributes is proposed to be placed into specialised non-budgetary accounts. The stated uses include: consumer awareness,  improvement of digital infrastructure, and  lifecycle maintenance support.  Delhi Solar Portal Will Become a Digital Asset Platform The Delhi Solar Portal is also expected to perform a much larger role. Instead of being only a place for consumer or project information, it is to develop into a broader digital-governance platform. The Power Department and DISCOMs are expected to integrate data so that individual rooftop assets can be monitored over time. What Is DSAIN? Each commissioned system under the relevant framework is intended to receive a permanent Digital Solar Asset Identification Number, or DSAIN. Think of it as a long-term digital identity for the rooftop-solar asset. The record can cover: technical specifications,  warranty information,  insurance status, and  generation data.  The policy's aim is therefore not limited to recording who received a subsidy. It also creates a mechanism for following the asset throughout its operating life.  Employment Potential from Delhi's Rooftop Solar Expansion The Government's proposed residential programme is also expected to create installation and maintenance work. For around 2.20 lakh proposed installations, the Gazette estimates approximately 11 lakh person-days of work during the implementation phase. It refers to activities such as: site preparation,  mounting-structure installation,  module installation,  electrical work,  testing,  commissioning,  inspection,  maintenance, and  cleaning.  The policy also identifies opportunities for electricians, technicians, supervisors, site engineers, installers, and O&M personnel.  These are policy estimates. They should not be treated as guaranteed employment numbers. Domestic Content Requirement: What Solar Vendors Must Check The amendment connects the programme with the Domestic Content Requirement under PM Surya Ghar. Where applicable, Central Financial Assistance is being claimed, the policy refers to the requirement for domestically manufactured modules using domestically manufactured solar cells. The DCR condition is also built into the ULA procurement framework. Use of non-DCR modules can make the installation ineligible for the applicable Central Financial Assistance under this structure.  For vendors, module selection is therefore not simply a pricing decision. Equipment sourcing can directly affect subsidy eligibility. What Does This Mean for Domestic Solar Manufacturers? The proposed scale of the Delhi rollout can create demand for locally manufactured solar cells and modules. Manufacturers supplying projects connected with Central assistance will need to pay particular attention to: DCR conformity,  product traceability,  procurement specifications,  vendor documentation, and  consistency between supplied equipment and tender requirements.  This can create business opportunities, but actual demand will depend on tendering, consumer uptake, and programme implementation. PM Surya Ghar and the Delhi Solar Policy Are Connected, but They Are Not the Same Scheme This distinction is easy to miss. PM Surya Ghar provides the Central scheme structure, including Central Financial Assistance and linked vendor/DCR requirements. Delhi adds its State support and implementation mechanism on top of that structure. For a residential project, the final financial position may therefore depend on both: Central subsidy and Delhi State subsidy This is why the total subsidy cannot be understood correctly by reading only one scheme. What Happens After 31 March 2027? The Gazette records that PM Surya Ghar is presently valid up to 31 March 2027. Because the free-solar arrangement uses a PM Surya Ghar subsidy component, the Delhi policy says this arrangement will be reviewed if the Central scheme is not extended beyond March 2027.  This does not mean the Delhi Solar Energy Policy expires in March 2027. The Delhi policy itself has been amended to remain valid until 31 March 2030, unless superseded or modified.  What Changes for Commercial and Industrial Consumers? Most headlines around this amendment will focus on households, but commercial and industrial consumers should not ignore it. The amended GBI wording continues to provide a Generation-Based Incentive for commercial and industrial consumers for five years. The conversion of GBI into additional upfront State capital subsidy relates to the new residential and GHS/RWA framework.  Businesses should therefore use the provisions applicable to their own consumer category rather than applying residential tables to a commercial or industrial solar project. Which Provisions Still Depend on Implementation? Provision What Still Matters ULA rollout MNRE sanction/approval referred to in policy Vendor participation Bidding and empanelment Project price Tender-discovered cost State subsidy Eligible capacity and prescribed formula Free solar Consumption criteria, previous subsidy history and technical feasibility RWA/GHS projects Eligibility and sanctioned-capacity availability Long-term O&M billing Consumer consent and regulatory mechanism Insurance billing Consumer opt-in and applicable regulatory approval Central subsidy beyond March 2027 Depends on status of PM Surya Ghar This is why households and businesses should distinguish between a policy announcement and an operational project approval. Impact on Residential Consumers For households, the amendment can reduce the biggest barrier to rooftop solar: upfront cost. The combination of Central assistance, Delhi State subsidy, and direct vendor-payment mechanisms can make the financial structure easier for eligible consumers. At the same time, households have more to check than before. A consumer should not finalise a project without understanding: gross electricity consumption,  subsidy eligibility,  project capacity,  installation model,  rooftop feasibility,  previous subsidy use,  vendor eligibility,  O&M obligations, and  how solar affects electricity-subsidy eligibility.  Impact on RWAs and Group Housing Societies RWAs now have a clearer financial framework for common-area projects. The policy's separate subsidy for common loads and EV charging may make society-level projects more practical, particularly where there is enough common rooftop area. Before signing any solar contracts, there are three reviews which must be carried out by the RWA: 1. Electricity Load Study Identify total electricity load. 2. Technical Study Inspect roof usability, structural feasibility, and possible plant size. 3. Regulatory and Subsidy Review Check RWA/GHS category, VNM/GNM possibilities, subsidy route, sanctioned-capacity availability, and vendor requirements. That type of work sits naturally within Rooftop Solar Consultancy Services rather than being left until after a commercial quotation has already been accepted. Impact on Solar Vendors The opportunity for solar vendors is meaningful, but the framework places more attention on delivery quality. A participating business may have to manage: PM Surya Ghar eligibility,  competitive bidding, compliance with DCR guidelines for sourcing, cost-control of project, timelines for installation, commissioning, net-metering, monitoring of performance, and five-year operations and maintenance responsibility. The DISCOMs are specifically charged with the responsibility of monitoring the installed systems and recognizing the sub-performing plants. A vendor's post-installation capability may therefore matter almost as much as installation capacity. Business Opportunities Created by the Amendment In fact, the policy may generate employment beyond just panel installations. The commercial opportunities include the following: Business Area Opportunity Created by Policy Rooftop Solar Installation Large residential rollout RWA/GHS Solar Separate subsidy and 66 MW target O&M Five-year vendor support and later maintenance market Solar Monitoring Generation tracking and performance checks Smart Metering Monitoring infrastructure Insurance Optional solar-asset cover Domestic Modules DCR-linked procurement Domestic Solar Cells DCR-linked demand EV Charging Solar Included in RWA/GHS common facilities Solar Advisory More complex Central + State scheme interaction Such options hinge on tenders and consumer involvement. They do not represent assured market volumes.. What Should a Residential Consumer Check Before Applying? When selecting roof-top solar, one needs to confirm the following in the given order: Check the consumer category. Residential, subsidized, and free-solar categories need not be the same.  Calculate previous-year average gross consumption. This matters for the free-solar route.  Check whether an earlier solar subsidy has already been claimed.  Carry out a rooftop technical assessment.  Decide on a suitable capacity.  Identify the relevant project route-PMSG, ULA, Trusteeship, or another permitted route.  Check Central and Delhi subsidies separately.  Verify the vendor's eligibility for that particular route.  Understand ownership and O&M conditions.  Check the effect of gross consumption on electricity subsidy before finalising expected savings.  What Should an RWA or GHS Check? A housing society should review: common-area electricity use,  lift and pumping load,  EV-charging requirements,  usable roof area,  number of households,  proposed kWp capacity,  3 kWp per house, 500 kWp limit,  VNM/GNM approach, available sanctioned capacity, vendor eligibility criteria, subsidy computation, and  O&M obligations. What Should Solar Vendors Do Now? Vendors interested in the Delhi programme should prepare around actual implementation requirements rather than only marketing the subsidy amount. The practical priorities are: ensure PM Surya Ghar vendor status and requirements are in place,  keep an eye out for any applicable procurement/empanelment documents, do a technical/financial qualifying after getting the tender, have DCR-compliant procurement capabilities,  get ready for 5 years O&M,  put in place performance monitoring system,  organise the project documentation, and  commercial quotes should not include any subsidy above policy limits. Common Mistakes to Avoid Treating 78,000 rupees as Guaranteed Delhi Subsidy This is the maximum support payment that the State is expected to make in accordance with the formula. Checking Only Net Units for Electricity Subsidy The amended rule uses gross monthly consumption for subsidy eligibility. Assuming Every Consumer Below 400 Units Gets Free Solar The test is more specific. Previous financial year's average gross consumption, technical feasibility, and prior solar-subsidy history matter. Treating ULA and Trusteeship as the Same Model They are connected, but their financial mechanics are different. Assuming All O&M After Five Years Is Mandatory DISCOM-facilitated O&M is voluntary for the consumer under the policy arrangement described. Treating Optional Insurance as Compulsory The Gazette presents it as an optional add-on service. Ignoring DCR For projects using the relevant Central Financial Assistance, non-DCR equipment can affect eligibility. How Corpseed Can Help with Rooftop Solar Projects A rooftop solar project is no longer about choosing the panel capacity and evaluating the quotes of the installation company. In many cases, the solution depends upon the category of consumer, subsidy route available, viability of the project, criteria of the central scheme, and implementation model in Delhi. Corpseed's Rooftop Solar Consultancy Services can support residential-project stakeholders, RWAs, Group Housing Societies, solar businesses, and project developers with regulatory and project-level review. Depending on the project, support can include: Solar subsidy eligibility assessment: reviewing which Central and State support may apply to the proposed project.  Solar project structure review: assessing whether the project fits an individual rooftop, RWA/GHS, VNM, ULA, or other applicable route.  Regulatory interpretation: helping stakeholders understand the Delhi Solar Energy Policy and linked PM Surya Ghar provisions.  Solar Project Consultancy Services: assisting with early-stage project planning, capacity and compliance considerations.  Solar Project Compliance Services: reviewing regulatory and documentation requirements connected with implementation.  Vendor and tender support: assisting solar businesses in understanding policy-linked procurement and eligibility requirements.  RWA/GHS project advisory: reviewing society-level solar capacity, common-area requirements, and applicable subsidy structure.  Renewable Energy Consultancy Services: supporting businesses and project owners where renewable-energy regulation, project planning, and government-scheme conditions overlap.  The objective is not to promise a subsidy or approval. It is to help the applicant or project business identify the correct regulatory route before money is committed or documentation is filed. For a household, RWA, solar vendor, or project developer that is unsure whether the Delhi Solar Policy 2026 applies to a proposed project, an early regulatory and eligibility review can prevent the project from being planned on the wrong subsidy assumption. Key Takeaways The Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 Second Amendment changes both the economics and the implementation of rooftop solar in Delhi. For residential installations, Delhi State support can reach 26,000 rupees per kW, subject to the formula and a maximum of 78,000 rupees. The policy also sets a target of 2.20 lakh new residential rooftop installations.  For RWAs and Group Housing Societies, common area solutions, which include EV charging, will be eligible for 11,000 rupees per kWp as per the stipulated guidelines, and the targeted capacity in the programme is 66 MW. This New DISCOM Trusteeship Model intends to lessen the upfront cost burden for consumers. On the other hand, ULA will offer a procurement avenue with the consumer contribution cap of 5,000 rupees per kW, as per the appropriate guidelines. Free Solar installation of up to 3 kW is limited to the prescribed eligibility criteria, which include the average gross consumption of the previous financial year and solar subsidy utilization history. Consumers should also understand the difference between gross electricity consumption and net-metered consumption. Solar may reduce grid units and the electricity bill, but that does not automatically make a high-consumption household eligible for an electricity subsidy.  For vendors and renewable-energy businesses, the amendment creates potential opportunities in installation, O&M, monitoring, RWA/GHS projects, and domestic solar equipment, while also putting greater emphasis on bidding, DCR compliance, and long-term system performance.