Use More Than 400 Units a Month? You Still Get Rs.1,56,000 Off Rooftop Solar in Delhi

Most of the coverage of Delhi''s new solar policy has focused on "free solar for homes under 400 units." That headline is real — but it has left a lot of Delhi families thinking the scheme isn''t for them.

Here is the part that got buried: if your home uses more than 400 units a month, you still qualify for the full Rs.1,56,000 subsidy on a 3 kW rooftop system. You don''t get it at zero cost like the smaller homes — but your out-of-pocket comes down to roughly Rs.84,000. For a household that already pays a heavy monthly bill, that is one of the cheapest ways to lock in years of lower electricity costs.

The two-tier structure, in one line

Delhi''s second amendment to its Solar Energy Policy (approved 2 September 2026) treats two groups slightly differently:

• Up to 400 units/month: 3 kW system at zero upfront cost — the Rs.1,56,000 subsidy plus a government top-up that covers the remaining cost of the tendered plant.
• Above 400 units/month: the same Rs.78,000 (Centre) + Rs.78,000 (Delhi) = Rs.1,56,000 subsidy, without the extra top-up — so you pay the balance, about Rs.84,000 on a Rs.2,40,000 3 kW system.

Either way, the Rs.1,56,000 is yours. The only difference is whether the state also absorbs the remaining amount.

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Why higher-consumption homes actually gain the most

It sounds backwards that the "less subsidised" group is often the bigger winner — but it''s simple. Solar savings scale with how much power you use.

• A small home using ~200 units may generate more than it consumes, so a chunk of its solar just offsets an already-subsidised bill.
• A larger home using 500, 700 or 1,000+ units is buying most of its power at Delhi''s higher tariff slabs. Every unit your roof produces replaces an expensive grid unit. That is where a 3 kW system — and often a larger one — pays for itself fastest.

At roughly Rs.84,000 net cost, a 3 kW system generating about 350-400 units a month typically pays back in about 2-3 years for a high-bill household — and then keeps saving for the rest of the panels'' 25-year life.

What Rs.84,000 actually buys you

Two more things apply to everyone under the new policy: five years of maintenance is covered, and Delhi''s Generation-Based Incentive continues to pay per unit generated — Rs.3/unit for systems up to 3 kW — for five years from commissioning, on top of your net-metering savings.

"But I need more than 3 kW"

The maximum capital subsidy is anchored to a 3 kW system, but your roof isn''t capped there. If your consumption justifies a 5 kW or larger system, you can install it — you take the Rs.1,56,000 subsidy against the first 3 kW and pay the incremental cost for the extra capacity, which still delivers strong savings at high tariffs.

This is exactly the sizing conversation worth having before you apply — matching the system to your bill so you capture the most savings, not just the headline subsidy. Our Delhi solar subsidy guide walks through the full stacking math, and the Delhi Solar Policy 2026 hub covers eligibility and the application process in detail.

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.

For higher-consumption homes we:

• Right-size the system to your actual bill (3 kW, 5 kW or more),
• Secure the Rs.1,56,000 central + state subsidy and complete the paperwork,
• Install a quality, standards-compliant system, and
• Get your net metering sanctioned with your discom.

Send us your latest electricity bill on WhatsApp and we''ll show you your exact net cost and monthly savings. 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 get any subsidy if my monthly usage is above 400 units?

Yes. The 400-unit threshold only decides who gets the additional government top-up that makes a 3 kW system zero-cost. Above 400 units you still receive the full Rs.78,000 central subsidy and Rs.78,000 Delhi state subsidy — Rs.1,56,000 in total — on a 3 kW system.

How much do I actually pay for a 3 kW system if I use more than 400 units?

About Rs.84,000. A 3 kW rooftop system costs roughly Rs.2,40,000; after the Rs.1,56,000 combined subsidy, your contribution is the balance. Final pricing depends on your roof structure and component choices, so treat Rs.84,000 as the benchmark, not a quote.

Can I install more than 3 kW and still get the subsidy?

Yes. The capital subsidy maxes out at the 3 kW level (Rs.1,56,000 in Delhi), but you can install a larger system and simply pay for the additional capacity. Homes with heavy bills often recover the extra cost quickly because every additional unit generated replaces an expensive high-slab unit.

Is the Rs.1,56,000 subsidy paid upfront?

The central and state capital subsidies are applied against your installation cost, so you never pay that Rs.1,56,000 out of pocket. Separately, Delhi''s Generation-Based Incentive pays Rs.3 per unit generated (systems up to 3 kW) for five years after commissioning — that part arrives over time, not upfront.

Does net metering still apply above 400 units?

Yes. Net metering is unrelated to the 400-unit eligibility line. Your system exports surplus units to the grid and your discom credits them against your bill, whether you use 300 or 1,300 units a month.

Policy details are based on the Delhi Cabinet decision of 2 September 2026 and news reporting as of 3 September 2026. The Rs.84,000 contribution and Rs.2,40,000 system cost are benchmark figures; your actual cost, subsidy and savings depend on the official scheme notification, PM Surya Ghar guidelines, your discom''s net-metering rules, your consumption and site feasibility.

Sources: The Hindu — Delhi Cabinet clears free rooftop solar systems · Hindustan Times — Delhi amends solar policy · Delhi Solar Portal