Solar for housing societies and RWAs

What the subsidy covers

Under PM Surya Ghar, a group housing society or resident welfare association can claim ₹18,000 per kW for a rooftop system that powers common facilities, EV charging included, up to 500 kW. The limit is set at up to 3 kW per house, and it counts any systems residents have installed individually in the same society.

As with homes, the subsidy is paid after installation and inspection, so the society pays the full cost first.

Loads a society system typically runs

• Lifts
• Water pumps and pressure boosters
• Corridor, stairwell, basement and street lighting
• Clubhouse and gym
• EV charging points in the parking

Most of these run through the day as well as at night. A net-metered system sends daytime surplus to the grid and draws it back at night on the same connection.

What we need to size it

1. Twelve months of common-area bills, to see how use changes between summer and winter.
2. The sanctioned load of the common-area connection, since the system can’t be bigger than it.
3. Details of the terrace: the usable area, shade from water tanks and lift rooms, and the structure, so the mounting can be designed safely.
4. The number of houses, which sets the subsidy limit.

Before you decide

Have the society or RWA record the decision properly, and pick one person to handle the portal. When society projects stall, it is usually over paperwork, and the installation itself is rarely the hold-up.