How Long Does PM Surya Ghar Subsidy Actually Take?
The physical installation is the fast part. The subsidy credit depends on a DISCOM step that happens after, and that's where the wait usually is.
Short answer: Physical installation typically takes 1-3 days. The subsidy itself isn't credited until after your DISCOM (PuVVNL) inspects and commissions your bidirectional net meter, and that data is uploaded to the national portal, a step that commonly takes several weeks and can run longer depending on your local sub-division's workload. Budget realistically for weeks, not days, and don't assume a delay means something has gone wrong.
The actual sequence
Marketing around "free solar" schemes sometimes implies the subsidy lands quickly after your panels go up. The real sequence has more steps, and only one of them is in your installer's hands:
- Installation (1-3 days). Panels, inverter and wiring go up. This is the part your installer fully controls, and it's genuinely fast.
- Net meter application and DISCOM approval. PuVVNL has to inspect the installation and approve and install the bidirectional net meter before the system is officially "commissioned." This step depends on your local sub-division's queue and workload, and is the main source of delay, see our net metering guide for the full process, and our escalation guide if it stalls.
- Portal update. Once commissioning is confirmed, that status has to be reflected on the national PM Surya Ghar portal before the subsidy claim can move forward.
- DBT credit. Only after the above is complete does the subsidy, up to ₹78,000 from the central government plus the UP state top-up, get credited directly to your bank account.
The installation itself rarely causes delay. Nearly every "where is my subsidy" question traces back to step 2 still being in progress.
A realistic expectation, not a promise
We won't quote you a precise day count here, because it genuinely depends on your local PuVVNL sub-division's current backlog, and we'd rather be honest about that than give you a number that turns out to be wrong. What we can tell you: if it's been more than a few weeks since installation with no net meter movement, that's worth actively following up on, not waiting out silently. See our step-by-step net metering guide for what to check, and our escalation guide for what to do if your local office isn't responding.
What to do if it feels stuck
First, confirm your net meter has actually been installed and commissioned, that's the real gate, not a paperwork formality. If it has been, and the subsidy still hasn't moved, check your application status directly on the PM Surya Ghar portal rather than guessing. If the net meter itself is the thing stuck, that's a DISCOM-side issue, and our escalation guide covers the formal channels for pushing it forward.
Installed but still waiting on your subsidy?
Tell us your installation date and current status on WhatsApp, we'll tell you honestly whether this is normal or worth escalating.
Check on WhatsApp