Last checked: 4 November 2026, against BESCOM's solar rooftop portal and the KERC tariff order dated 25 August 2026. Rules and tariffs change, so confirm the latest on the official portals before you decide.
The short version
| Homes | Apartments / RWAs | Commercial / industrial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central subsidy (PM Surya Ghar) | ₹30,000/kW for 2 kW, ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW, maximum ₹78,000 | ₹18,000/kW for common facilities, up to 500 kW | Not applicable |
| Where to apply | pmsuryaghar.gov.in, then srtpv.bescom.org | srtpv.bescom.org (and national portal for subsidy) | srtpv.bescom.org |
| Surplus export rate | ₹1.96 to ₹2.58 (with subsidy) or ₹3.89 (without) | ₹3.11 (DCR) or ₹2.34 (non-DCR) | ₹3.11 (DCR) or ₹2.34 (non-DCR) |
PM Surya Ghar subsidy for homes
The central financial assistance for individual homes is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW. That gives ₹60,000 for 2 kW and the maximum ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above. A 5 kW system does not earn more than a 3 kW system; the extra capacity is self-funded. The subsidy is credited to the consumer's bank account after the plant is inspected and commissioned.
Subsidy for apartment societies
Group Housing Societies and RWAs receive ₹18,000 per kW for solar on common facilities, including EV charging, up to 500 kW. The limit is calculated at 3 kW per house and includes individual rooftop plants installed by residents of that society.
Step by step for a home (subsidy route)
- Register on the national portal at pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your electricity connection details.
- Apply on BESCOM's solar portal (srtpv.bescom.org) using the registration reference. BESCOM's own note says to submit the application there after registering on the national portal.
- Choose a registered vendor. BESCOM's portal publishes the PM Surya Ghar empanelled vendor list. Agriya Green Power is a registered vendor on the national portal.
- Installation. The vendor installs the system to the approved specification. Modules must meet the scheme's domestic content (DCR) requirement.
- Inspection and commissioning. BESCOM inspects and commissions the plant and arranges the net meter.
- Bank details and subsidy. Submit the bank details and the commissioning documents on the portal, and the subsidy is credited after verification.
Without subsidy
Commercial and industrial users, and homes that skip the subsidy, apply on BESCOM's portal under the non-subsidy route. Virtual net metering and group net metering have their own application routes on the same portal.
What BESCOM pays for surplus units
The KERC order of 25 August 2026 sets generic tariffs for new applications until 30 June 2029 or further orders, with a 25-year agreement term.
| Project type | Tariff per unit |
|---|---|
| Home, 1 to 10 kW, no subsidy | ₹3.89 |
| Home with PM Surya Ghar subsidy, 1 to 2 kW | ₹1.96 |
| Home with PM Surya Ghar subsidy, above 2 up to 3 kW | ₹2.14 |
| Home with PM Surya Ghar subsidy, above 3 kW | ₹2.58 |
| Other net-metered plants, 1 to 1,000 kW, DCR modules | ₹3.11 |
| Other net-metered plants, 1 to 1,000 kW, non-DCR modules | ₹2.34 |
| Virtual or group net metering | 75% of the "other plants" rate |
The DCR rate applies after the distribution licensee inspects and certifies the modules as DCR.
What this means for sizing: units you use yourself save you the full tariff, while exported units earn far less. Size for your own daytime use rather than for maximum export.
ALMM and the 31 December 2026 window
MNRE has allowed net-metering projects to commission with an exemption from ALMM List-II (solar cells) until 31 December 2026. Projects commissioned after that date must comply with List-II. Plan your commissioning date and module choice accordingly.
Who your electricity company is
BESCOM serves Bengaluru and several nearby districts. Other parts of Karnataka are served by other companies such as CESC (Mysuru), MESCOM, HESCOM and GESCOM, each with its own process. Check the company name on your bill before you apply.
BESCOM solar helpdesk
BESCOM's portal lists a solar helpdesk at solar_helpdesk@bescom.co.in and phone lines 080-22340815, 080-22340816, 080-22340817 and 080-22340819.
Common mistakes
- Using an old export tariff in the savings calculation.
- Starting installation before the application is registered.
- Choosing a system bigger than the sanctioned load allows without planning the load enhancement.
- Buying non-DCR modules for a subsidy application.
- Assuming the subsidy increases beyond 3 kW.
- Missing the ALMM List-II date for net-metered projects.
We guide customers through these steps. Start with the SunScore calculator or book a free site survey.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for rooftop solar in BESCOM's area?
BESCOM runs a dedicated solar rooftop portal at srtpv.bescom.org with separate routes for non-subsidy, virtual net metering, group net metering and PM Surya Ghar subsidy applications. For subsidy cases, register on the national portal pmsuryaghar.gov.in first and then submit the application on BESCOM's portal.
Is solar subsidy available in Karnataka for businesses?
The central PM Surya Ghar subsidy covers residential consumers and housing societies. Commercial and industrial users benefit through bill savings, tax depreciation and the export tariff rather than a capital subsidy.
What does BESCOM pay for surplus solar units?
It depends on the project type. Under the KERC order dated 25 August 2026: ₹3.89 per unit for a 1 to 10 kW home system without subsidy, ₹1.96, ₹2.14 or ₹2.58 per unit for subsidised home systems by size band, and ₹3.11 (DCR) or ₹2.34 (non-DCR) for other net-metered plants from 1 to 1,000 kW. These are fixed for a 25-year agreement.
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