Rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW to be installed at zero upfront cost for consumers with consumption of up to 400 units
Target to install solar systems on 2.30 lakh rooftops and add 500 MW of additional rooftop solar capacity by March 2027
Delhi consumers will now not only use electricity but also generate it: CM Rekha Gupta
We have secured and institutionalised free electricity for the next 25 years: Power Minister Ashish Sood
New Delhi, Sept 2026 : In a major step towards transforming Delhi’s energy landscape, the Rekha Gupta government has introduced the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy to take solar power to households across the city. Under the revamped policy, rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW will be installed at absolutely zero upfront cost for domestic consumers with average consumption of up to 400 units in FY 2025-26. Consumers will not have to pay any amount for the installation. Importantly, consumers using up to 200 units of electricity will not only continue to receive the benefit of the subsidy after installing the solar system, but also earn an energy-saving incentive against the electricity they save. Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said that, while further strengthening Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ in Delhi, the government has put in place a system that will make installing solar systems easier for ordinary households and involve little to no financial burden. The policy will enable people in Delhi to not only use electricity but also generate it.
The Chief Minister shared details of the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy-2023 at a press conference held at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. She said the Prime Minister’s vision is that of a ‘Viksit Bharat’, and the path to a developed India certainly goes through a ‘Viksit Delhi’. In line with this thinking, the Delhi government has taken this important decision in the Cabinet to promote solar energy. Delhi has significant potential for solar energy, and the government’s aim is not merely to reduce electricity bills but to turn Delhi’s homes into homes that generate electricity. Delhi's Energy Minister Shri Ashish Sood was also present at the press conference.
3 kW rooftop solar system at zero upfront cost
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that under the new arrangement, eligible domestic consumers with average monthly electricity consumption of up to 400 units will be provided rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW at zero upfront cost, subject to technical feasibility for such installation. Along with the Rs 78,000 subsidy provided by the Central government, the Delhi government will also provide a capital subsidy of Rs 78,000. In addition, the Delhi government will through additional top-up cover the difference between the subsidy and the tendered cost of the solar plant.
She said that earlier, consumers had to make an upfront payment to install a solar system, while incentives were received in subsequent years. The new policy changes this arrangement by prioritising financial assistance at the initial stage so that consumers do not face an economic burden at the outset. The system installed by the government will also be mandatorily operated and maintained by the concerned vendor for five years. Subsequently, via DISCOMs, consumers will have an option to continue for maintenance of the solar installation for the full lifetime of 25 years. This will spare consumers the worry of maintaining the solar system. Eligible consumers will also get the benefit of net metering on monthly electricity bills.
Benefit of solar savings along with electricity subsidy
The Chief Minister said the Delhi government’s existing electricity subsidy will continue. This means eligible consumers will be able to benefit from the electricity subsidy as well as the savings generated by the solar system installed on their rooftops. A 3 kW solar system can generate around 300 units of electricity. If a family consumes 200 units of electricity, it can also benefit by exporting the surplus electricity to the grid. In this way, consumers will not only use free electricity but also become participants in its generation and earn in the process. Payment for the electricity exported to the grid will also be made, at the average power purchase cost of Discom.
Eligible consumers with consumption of up to 200 units will continue to receive the existing 100 per cent electricity subsidy. In addition, the policy provides for an incentive for energy savings from solar power for eligible consumers. Payment will also be made, at the applicable rate, for surplus solar power supplied to the discom.
Free maintenance for the first five years
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government has also made arrangements for the operation and maintenance of solar systems easier along with their installation. Solar vendors will provide free operation and maintenance of the systems for the first five years. Thereafter, consumers will be able to opt for maintenance and insurance facilities through electricity distribution companies as per their choice. This facility can be availed directly through the electricity distribution companies or their empanelled agencies, on payment of applicable charges. This will help ensure smooth operation of the solar systems throughout their approximately 25-year lifespan.
Target to install solar systems on 2.30 lakh rooftops by March 2027
The Chief Minister said the Delhi government has set a target of installing solar systems on 2 lakh 30 thousand rooftops by March 2027. It has also set a target of adding 500 MW of additional rooftop solar capacity under the Delhi Solar Policy by March 2027. Connecting every rooftop in Delhi with solar energy is a major goal of the government. Work to install solar systems on government buildings in Delhi is already underway.
She said the government’s focus is not limited to installing solar systems but also on ensuring their effective functioning over the long term. So far, 10,073 solar systems have been installed in Delhi, a large number of them on government buildings. The government has addressed the practical and financial difficulties faced by people in installing solar systems through the new policy.
Net metering timing reduced from 75 days to 25 days
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that under the new policy, the net metering process for residential solar systems, the mechanism through which consumers receive credit for surplus electricity sent to the grid or a reduction in their monthly bills, has also been expedited. The process which earlier took around 75 days, has now been reduced to 25 days. In addition, application and registration fees for residential solar systems of up to 10 kW have been completely waived.
The entire system will be implemented under a utility-led aggregation model. Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL) will select vendors through competitive bidding to ensure better prices and quality. IPGCL will play an important role in installation, vendor coordination, grievance redressal and providing necessary assistance to consumers.
Delhi to be taken forward towards free solar
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government is committed to rapidly implementing Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of ‘PM Surya Ghar’ on the ground. To ensure that the people of Delhi can benefit from the policy at the earliest on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s birthday and the completion of 25 years of his public life, the government will begin immediate action. She said this is a major step towards taking Delhi forward on the path of green energy and making every household a participant in energy generation. The government’s aim is to take forward the Hon’ble PM’s vision to make solar energy in Delhi affordable, simple and accessible for every eligible family. Along with free electricity, Delhi has to be now taken forward towards free solar.
Free electricity secured for the next 25 years: Power Minister
Delhi’s Power Minister Ashish Sood said that Today, at the 40th Cabinet meeting held under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and guided by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we have shattered the massive lie that free electricity cannot be sustained. We have not only kept free electricity alive, but have secured and institutionalised it for the next 25 years. Through the historic decision to approve the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy, 2023, 2.30 lakh consumers will get rooftop solar systems installed at zero upfront cost. This is a major step towards making Delhi a city where consumers not only use electricity but also generate it.
