Free 3 kW Rooftop Solar in Delhi: What the New Solar Policy Actually Gives You

On 2 September 2026, the Delhi Cabinet approved the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy. In plain terms: eligible Delhi homes can now get a 3 kW rooftop solar system installed at zero upfront cost — nothing to pay at the time of installation — with the government covering the bill through a mix of central and state subsidy.

The state is aiming to cover 2.3 lakh households by March 2027. If you have been putting off rooftop solar because of the upfront cost, this is the change that removes that barrier.

Here is what the policy says, what the numbers mean for a normal household, and how to check whether your home qualifies.

The headline: zero upfront cost for homes up to 400 units

If your home''s average monthly electricity use is up to 400 units, you can get a 3 kW system with no money paid upfront, subject to a technical feasibility check of your roof.

The way the funding works:

• The Centre contributes Rs.78,000 for a 3 kW system (under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana).
• The Delhi government adds another Rs.78,000 as a capital subsidy.
• That is Rs.1,56,000 in combined subsidy — and for eligible ≤400-unit homes, the government also bridges the remaining gap between the subsidy and the tendered cost of the plant.

A 3 kW system costs roughly Rs.2,40,000 at benchmark pricing. The Rs.1,56,000 subsidy plus the government top-up closes the rest, so an eligible household pays zero at installation.

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It is not just "free panels" — two more things matter

1. Five years of free maintenance. Vendors installing systems under this scheme provide free maintenance for the first five years. No annual upkeep worry for the household in that period.

2. Net metering stays. Any surplus power your roof generates is fed back to the grid under net metering, so you get credited for what you don''t use. Separately, Delhi''s Generation-Based Incentive continues to pay Rs.3 per unit generated (systems up to 3 kW) for five years from commissioning — that income arrives over time, on top of your bill savings.

Your 200-unit subsidy does not go away

A common fear: "If I install solar, do I lose my free electricity?" No. Households already receiving the subsidy for up to 200 units continue to receive it after installing solar — and they additionally earn an energy-saving incentive on the electricity they save, as the Chief Minister''s office stated when announcing the amendment.

A 3 kW system generates about 350-400 units a month in Delhi NCR conditions — often more than a small household consumes, so the surplus flows to the grid and is credited to you.

Quick facts

Who this is for — and who should read the next guide

This zero-upfront model is aimed squarely at homes using up to 400 units a month. If that''s you, this is close to a no-brainer: solar on your roof at no installation cost, five years of free upkeep, and your existing subsidy intact. The Delhi Solar Policy 2026 hub has the full eligibility checklist and application walkthrough.

If your home uses more than 400 units a month, you are still eligible for the Rs.1,56,000 subsidy — you just pay the balance instead of nothing. Read our companion guide: Use more than 400 units a month? You still get Rs.1,56,000 off rooftop solar.

How Bridgeway helps

Bridgeway Power Services has been installing solar across Delhi NCR since 2019, carries the Sunson group''s 45 MW+ project legacy, holds a 4.7-star customer rating, and commissioned Delhi''s first Virtual Net Metering plant under BRPL in 2024.

We help you:

• Check whether your roof and consumption qualify,
• Complete the PM Surya Ghar and Delhi subsidy paperwork,
• Install a quality, standards-compliant system, and
• Get your net metering approved with your discom (BSES / Tata Power-DDL).

Share your latest electricity bill on WhatsApp and we''ll tell you exactly what you qualify for. Call/WhatsApp +91 92890 27500 or email sales@bridgewaypower.in.

The full math: Read our complete Delhi solar subsidy guide for 2026 — the stacked ₹1,56,000, GBI, and the DISCOM-by-DISCOM process.

FAQ

Do I really pay nothing at all for the free 3 kW system?

If your average monthly consumption is up to 400 units, yes — zero upfront. The Rs.1,56,000 combined central and Delhi subsidy plus the government''s gap top-up covers the tendered cost of the plant. The installation runs through government-designated vendors at the tendered specification, and it is subject to a technical feasibility check of your roof.

How do I check whether my home is under 400 units a month?

Look at your last 12 electricity bills and average the units consumed — eligibility is measured on your average monthly consumption, not one peak summer bill. A rough guide: a monthly bill of about Rs.2,500-3,000 in Delhi usually sits near the 400-unit line, but the units printed on the bill are what count.

Will I lose my 200-unit electricity subsidy if I install solar?

No. The government stated explicitly that consumers using up to 200 units a month keep their existing power subsidy after installing rooftop solar, and additionally earn an energy-saving incentive on the electricity they save.

What happens after the five years of free maintenance end?

After year five, upkeep is your responsibility — typically an annual maintenance contract covering cleaning, inverter checks and generation monitoring. Solar panels themselves carry 25-year performance warranties, so the system keeps producing long after the free maintenance window closes.

Can I choose my own panel and inverter brands under the free scheme?

No — free installations run at the tendered specification through designated vendors. If you want specific equipment, an elevated structure, or a system larger than 3 kW, that is the paid route: you still receive the Rs.1,56,000 subsidy, but you choose the configuration and pay the balance.

Policy details are based on the Delhi Cabinet decision of 2 September 2026 and news reporting as of 3 September 2026. Final eligibility, subsidy amounts and scheme terms are governed by the official Delhi Solar Energy Policy notification, PM Surya Ghar guidelines and your discom''s net-metering rules, and are subject to the technical feasibility of your site.

Sources: The Tribune — Delhi to offer zero-cost upfront rooftop solar · India TV News — Delhi govt to give free solar panels to 2.3 lakh households · The Hindu — Delhi Cabinet clears free rooftop solar systems · ANI — Delhi solar policy gets major push