The Delhi government has approved a revised solar energy policy under which eligible residential households will be able to install rooftop solar systems without paying the upfront installation cost. The scheme will cover households consuming up to 400 units of electricity a month, with systems of up to 3 kilowatt capacity available under the programme. The government will cover the remaining installation expense after accounting for central and state subsidies.
The initiative aims to expand rooftop solar adoption across the capital while reducing the financial burden on households. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government plans to install solar systems in 2.3 lakh households by March 2027, adding around 500 MW of rooftop solar capacity. The programme is also intended to help households that had previously avoided solar installations because of the high initial cost.
Under the revised policy, the financial support will be provided upfront during installation instead of being distributed through incentives over five years. Selected vendors will also be responsible for providing free operation and maintenance for five years. The government has further waived application and registration charges for residential rooftop solar systems, making the process more accessible to consumers.
The policy also seeks to reduce delays in connecting rooftop solar systems to the electricity grid. The government said the time required for residential net metering would be reduced from around 75 days to 25 days. This will allow eligible households to send surplus electricity generated through their solar systems to the grid under the applicable arrangements.
The Delhi government said the programme forms part of its broader Green Delhi initiative and aims to turn households from electricity consumers into electricity producers. Solar systems are already being installed on government buildings, while officials are also examining options for households that do not have suitable rooftop space. Implementation of the new residential programme will be carried out through competitive bidding by IPGCL.
Delhi currently has 10,073 solar installations, with a significant share located on government buildings. The government said the existing electricity subsidy will continue alongside the rooftop solar benefits, allowing eligible households to receive both benefits. The expanded solar programme is expected to increase renewable energy generation across the capital while helping participating households reduce their dependence on conventional electricity.