The Delhi government has announced a major rooftop solar initiative under its revised Delhi Solar Policy, aiming to provide free 3-kilowatt (kW) solar systems to around 2.30 lakh households across the national capital by March 2027.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Cabinet decision is designed to reduce household electricity bills while removing the high upfront cost of installing rooftop solar systems. The scheme will primarily cover domestic consumers using up to 400 units of electricity per month, subject to technical feasibility at their properties.

Under the financial arrangement, the Central government will provide ₹78,000 through the PM Surya Ghar scheme for a 3 kW rooftop solar system, while the Delhi government will contribute another ₹78,000. If the combined subsidy does not cover the actual installation cost quoted by selected vendors, the Delhi government will provide additional top-up funding.

The revised policy also introduces changes to the payment structure. Instead of receiving financial incentives through multiple installments, beneficiaries will receive the applicable support upfront as a lump-sum generation-based incentive. The government has also clarified that existing electricity subsidies will continue.

Households consuming up to 200 units per month will retain their 100 percent electricity subsidy while also benefiting from solar generation. A 3 kW rooftop solar plant can generate approximately 300 units of electricity per month. Where generation exceeds household consumption, the surplus electricity can be exported to the grid through net metering, allowing consumers to earn payments based on the average power purchase cost of local distribution companies.

The government has also simplified the approval process by reducing the turnaround time for residential net metering from 75 days to 25 days. Registration fees for rooftop solar systems of up to 10 kW have also been waived.

Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL) will oversee installation, vendor coordination and grievance redressal through a competitive bidding process. Selected vendors will be required to provide free operation and maintenance services for five years. After this period, consumers can opt for maintenance packages offered through their respective distribution companies.

Through the initiative, Delhi aims to add 500 MW of rooftop solar capacity by 2027. The government expects the programme to increase household participation in clean energy and encourage residents to become active electricity producers under its “Green Delhi” vision.