Solar System Price and Subsidy in Maharashtra (2024)

Switching to solar is an excellent way to save energy costs and reduce the total carbon footprint. Solar photovoltaic technology is used to harvest the sun’s rays to generate electricity. Investing in rooftop solar in Maharashtra is the most cost-effective way to power your homes and businesses, reduce greenhouse gases, and do your bit to reverse the impacts of climate change.
Solar panel systems generate electrical energy when sunlight hits the solar panels, and the PV (photovoltaic) cells present in the panels absorb the sunbeams. Here’s good news: the Indian government has initiated a solar rooftop subsidy scheme to help homeowners install solar systems on their rooftops at reduced costs. So, if you are still thinking about going solar, now is the right time!

Brief about Solar Systems in Maharashtra

We feel your pain of struggling with the rising electricity bills, pushing you to cut down power consumption. To cope with increasing energy costs, many residents in Maharashtra have made a cleaner and greener choice by installing solar panel systems on their rooftops.

Solar PV technology today is more efficient than ever, reducing solar panel prices in Maharashtra and all over the world. Rooftop solar systems occupy less space to efficiently generate a considerable amount of energy to run all kinds of household appliances and electronics.

Solar Panel System Subsidy in Maharashtra

The government of India is offering rooftop solar subsidies in Maharashtra and all over India to individual homeowners and housing societies. As a result, the state is witnessing a massive response, with hundreds of homes enjoying cost-effective energy that they are generating using on-site solar systems. You can enjoy free and eco-friendly electricity too by generating power from the sun.

As per the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II scheme, grid-tied solar installations for residential use can receive a fixed amount of Central Financial Assistance (CFA)/Solar Subsidy Support for each kW of your system size. These solar subsidy rates are applicable all over India. Only residential consumers and housing societies are eligible to avail solar plant subsidy under this scheme. 

Solar System Price in Maharashtra

If you plan to install a solar system model composed of quality solar components, the average solar panel system price in Maharashtra goes above Rs. 60,000 per kW. However, the price may differ depending on the location and other factors, such as installation charges, etc.

This average estimate is without the subsidy and includes the product cost, installation charges, and service costs that cover any product performance issues for 5 years along with a net metering facility.

Solar System Price in Maharashtra with Subsidy

Talking about the estimated solar panel price in Maharashtra with subsidy, here is a representation of how subsidy rates are calculated and factored into your final system price.

For more details and exact quotations for 1kW solar panel prices in Maharashtra or even higher up to 10kW capacity, contact an expert solar energy company.

Steps to Apply for Solar Subsidy in Maharashtra

Individual homeowners or housing societies can apply for solar system subsidy in Maharashtra through the National Portal for Rooftop Solar. The online portal has made the subsidy application and disbursement procedure simpler, faster, and more transparent than the traditional process of approaching the local DICOM company. 

The online portal allows interested homeowners to register themselves and submit a subsidy application to initiate the process. Also, you can track your application and stay updated on the progress by simply logging into the portal. When the installation is complete, you’ll need to submit all the relevant documents on the portal and receive the approved subsidy amount directly into your bank. 

Benefits of Solar Panel Subsidy in Maharashtra

The advantages of solar subsidy in Maharashtra are multifold as the following three parties share the benefits.

• Customers: This rooftop solar subsidy in Maharashtra is exclusively available only for individual residential owners and housing societies, and not for industrial or commercial sectors. In other words, the subsidy is applicable only for grid-connected solar systems for residential and group housing societies, excluding the price of batteries that a consumer might opt for.

The upfront cost of installing solar panels is significant and can be a challenge for homeowners to bear. Therefore, the Indian government’s solar subsidy yojana can ease this burden, thereby encouraging citizens to switch to this clean and greener energy source.

• Channel Partners: Channel Partners are benefited from serving a larger customer base, which is a result of Maharashtra solar subsidy. Often, it becomes difficult for a common homeowner to learn about the step-by-step procedures of applying for a subsidy and installing a solar system on their rooftops.

However, when channel partners work with their customers, residential owners can visualize the overall picture with ease. Besides, channel partners also act as a bridge between the government and the customers, thus hastening the process of getting a subsidy.

• DISCOMS: Since the power consumption demands are relatively lower in residential spaces, they can indirectly contribute to commercial spaces, which require large amounts of energy. Therefore, the entire chain is complete when the residential customer is able to reduce power bills and use energy more cost-effectively and the channel partners get a new customer. As a result, the government is successful in getting one step closer to fulfilling its environmental protection goals.

Process for Installing Solar System in Maharashtra

In a few easy steps, homeowners can install their rooftop solar system in Maharashtra through the National Portal for Rooftop Solar under the simplified solar subsidy scheme. Here is the procedure that you need to follow:

Step 1 – Registration

Visit the official platform, i.e. the National Portal for Rooftop Solar, to register as a new customer. Make sure you provide the correct details to prevent the decline of your application in the later stages of the process.

Step 2 – Apply for Rooftop Solar

Now you can log into your account with your consumer number and mobile number. Apply for solar plant subsidy as per the form.

Step 3 – Technical Feasibility Approval/TFR

The online application you initiate on the portal is transferred to the DISCOM company in your region who is now responsible for assessing your application for technical feasibility. For a favourable outcome, all the details provided online by the consumer must be correct. In case of inaccurate details, the application is reverted back to the consumer under rejection/correction.

Selection of Vendor and Plant Installation

Once you have the TFR approved, you now have the permit to commence the installation. To qualify for solar subsidy in Maharashtra, make sure you select a registered vendor (a solar company empanelled with your region’s DISCOM company in Maharashtra). Also, the MNRE prescribes an ALMM declaration form that must be signed by both the consumer and the vendor before commencing the installation.

Step 4 – Submit Installation Details

The empanelled vendors are trained to follow the mandatory technical specifications and standards in all solar panel installations under the subsidy scheme. Your vendor then provides all the important documents associated with your installed rooftop solar plant in Maharashtra. Now you can upload these documents on the online portal along with a photo of the applicant alongside the rooftop solar system. After some time, an official is assigned for your system’s inspection and the installation of the net metering system.

Step 5 – Inspection by DISCOM

The assigned officials inspect your RTS system and check if the setup conforms to the MNRE’s technical specifications and standards. This is followed by the integration of the net metering mechanism into your system.

Step 6 – Project Commissioning Status

After the successful inspection and integration of the net meter, your online Maharashtra solar subsidy application is approved online. You can now see a commissioning certification in your account.

Step 7 – Subsidy/CFA Request

Having received the commissioning certificate, the stage of your subsidy disbursement process requires you to submit bank details and raise the subsidy/CFA claim request online.

The final subsidy/CFA amount approved by your DISCOM company is released under the direct benefit transfer scheme. The beneficiary receives the amount in their bank account within 30 days after installation.

What is Net Metering?

Net metering refers to a billing system that incentivizes the residential owners of solar panel systems for generating and adding surplus solar electricity to the grid. Suppose, a customer possesses a PV system on their rooftop, they may produce more energy than the home consumes during daylight hours.

As a result, this surplus energy is sent back to the grid, thus the customer gets credited for this extra power generated. In this way, homeowners having a net metering system can sell their surplus energy in exchange for credits.

How to Apply for a Net Meter in Maharashtra?

To apply for a net meter in Maharashtra, you need to follow these steps.

• Submit an application through the official website of Mahadiscom: http://www.mahadiscom.in/
• Visit the renewable energy section for rooftop solar.
• Click here to apply for RE Rooftop.
• Next, you will be taken to your application form, after which you need to fill up the required details and submit the form.
• Then you need to pay the registration charges (non-refundable).
• Finally, you will get the option of choosing your empanelled agency.

Now, you need to sit back and relax until the empanelled agency and the MSEDCL Field officer review and process your application and perform the required inspections.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that the government may stop the subsidy system after achieving its milestone target of generating 40GW of energy. So, this is the right time for you to jump in and go solar for a cleaner and greener India. Grab all the financial aid your state government is providing and generate your own energy.

FAQs

Is there a warranty on my solar system if I register through a subsidy scheme?

If you register your solar panel system through a subsidy scheme, the empanelled installation company will offer a performance warranty of 5 years, after which the customer will be self-responsible for all the maintenance and repairs of the system.

Is there any solar plant subsidy or incentive for commercial or industrial solar systems?

The Indian government has implemented the solar panel subsidy scheme for individual homes, big apartments, and housing societies only. The scheme excludes commercial or industrial solar installations. However, the latter can receive other benefits from installing solar systems on their commercial premises, such as excise duty, tax holidays, and accelerated depreciation exemptions.

Are the solar subsidy rates the same for all states?

All residential consumers across the different states of India are eligible to apply for subsidy through the national portal. With that said, the subsidy rates prescribed are standard for all consumers.

What are the criteria for availing solar panel subsidy in Maharashtra?

• For availing CFA/subsidy, it is essential to hire only a registered vendor to install your rooftop solar plant in Maharashtra. Every region’s DISCOM service company will be able to furnish the details on the registered vendors.
• The installation must be done per the guidelines and technical specifications prescribed by the MNRE.
• Only indigenously manufactured solar components (both solar cells and solar modules as well as the solar inverters) must make up your rooftop solar plant.

Why does the government offer a subsidy on solar systems?

The government of India is on a mission to produce 40 GW of solar energy from rooftop installation in residential spaces. Therefore, to encourage more homeowners to switch to solar energy, the government is offering subsidies to reduce the burden of installation costs. So, make the smart decision to enjoy the solar panel subsidy Maharashtra scheme while it is still available.

Amplus Solar

January 15, 2024