The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released guidelines to enhance the PM Surya Ghar scheme for rooftop solar installations.
To streamline the process, the MNRE is urging states to transition rooftop solar payment systems online and collect various fees—such as application, load enhancement, meter testing, and commissioning—at the time of installation, reducing the need for multiple visits to discom offices. Additionally, the MNRE will award annual prizes to encourage innovation in rooftop solar projects, including a Rs 10 million prize, Rs 5 million, Rs 3 million , and 10 consolation prizes of Rs 0.5 million each. The guidelines also call for operationalising deemed load enhancement up to 10 kW, ensuring automatic acceptance and adjustment of the consumer’s sanctioned load for solar systems of this capacity. Further, discoms are required to display all associated fees on their websites, and there is an emphasis on prioritising smart meter installations under the revamped distribution sector scheme  and maintaining an adequate stock of net meters to prevent delays. These measures are part of MNRE’s broader efforts to promote residential solar adoption under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.