Electricity bills in Maharashtra have quietly crept up over the past few years. Between air conditioners, geysers, work-from-home setups, and everything else running simultaneously, many households are now paying Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 every month. That’s not small money. And it’s precisely why rooftop solar has stopped being a green lifestyle choice and started looking more like a straightforward financial decision.
Maharashtra offers central PM Surya Ghar subsidies to all eligible residential consumers, while additional SMART scheme benefits are available to selected low-income and low-consumption households.
Two Layers of Support
The central government’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana forms the foundation. As of mid-2026, the scheme has benefited over 24 lakh households nationally, with Maharashtra ranking second in installations at 3.92 lakh systems. The subsidy structure works in slabs: Rs 30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW, then Rs 18,000 per kW for the third kW, capped at Rs 78,000 total for a 3 kW system.
On top of that sits Maharashtra’s own SMART scheme (Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Rooftop Solar), launched in October 2025. When combined, eligible families can reduce installation costs by up to 95 per cent in certain categories.
What the Numbers Actually Look Like
A 3 kW system typically costs around Rs 2.3 lakh before subsidies. With combined support of up to Rs 1.3 lakh, your out-of-pocket expense is between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh. That same system generates roughly 300 to 420 units monthly, dropping a Rs 3,500 electricity bill to somewhere between Rs 300 and Rs 600. Payback period sits around three years, after which you’re essentially running on free electricity for two decades.
Who Qualifies
Indian citizens who own residential property and hold a valid grid connection are eligible. Tenants need an NOC from the property owner. Your system must be grid-connected and net-metered. Off-grid battery setups don’t qualify. Panels need to be ALMM-listed and inverters BIS-certified, with installation done through an empanelled vendor.
How the Application Works
Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in, enter your MSEDCL consumer number, choose your system size and vendor, upload your electricity bill, Aadhaar, and ownership documents. DISCOM checks technical feasibility, your vendor installs the system, the net meter goes in, and once you submit your commissioning certificate with bank details, the subsidy hits your account within 30 days.
For housing societies, the scheme extends up to 500 kW capacity at Rs 18,000 per kW, calculated at 3 kW per flat.
With the rising adoption of rooftop solar systems, more and more homeowners are looking for reliable brands that will provide government-approved solar modules. With a solar module manufacturing capacity of over 25.8 GW, Waaree Energies provides ALMM-approved solar modules and solutions to facilitate rooftop solar power installations through government schemes like PM Surya Ghar. Along with warranty and national reach, Waaree still stands out as an attractive option for homeowners switching to solar energy.
