Solar for apartments and housing societies has always faced one challenge: how can one shared rooftop benefit multiple homes? Unlike independent houses, apartment terraces, electricity connections, and common-area loads are shared. PM Surya Ghar 2.0 could make shared solar easier, with options such as virtual net metering receiving more attention.
Here’s what apartment owners and RWAs need to know before moving ahead with solar under the scheme.
Why Apartment Solar Has Been Stuck Until Now
If you own a standalone house, going solar is simple: it’s your roof, your bill, your decision. In an apartment, none of that is true.
- The terrace is common property, not any one flat owner’s asset
- One installation has to somehow benefit dozens of separate electricity connections
- Getting RWA consensus for capital spending can take months
- DISCOM net metering rules were written with single-home systems in mind, not shared ones
This is usually called the “split-incentive problem,” and it’s the single biggest reason apartment blocks in Indian cities have lagged behind individual homes on rooftop solar adoption, even though societies often have the largest, most unshaded roofs in a neighbourhood.
What Is PM Surya Ghar 2.0, Really?
PM Surya Ghar 2.0 is the next phase the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is currently working through with stakeholders, building on the original PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana that has already crossed 40 lakh+ rooftop installations. It is not a separate, finalised scheme yet it’s a set of proposals under active government review.
| What’s being discussed | Current status |
| Group and virtual net metering for societies | Under stakeholder consultation |
| Battery storage (BESS) support | Being evaluated alongside rooftop expansion |
| Generation-linked subsidy (vs. capacity-linked) | Reported, not yet notified |
| Shared rooftop solar for housing societies | Actively discussed as an add-on |
| Formal notification | Not yet published by MNRE |
So the honest way to frame it: the direction of travel is clearly toward making apartment and RWA solar easier, but nothing about 2.0 should be treated as locked-in policy until MNRE issues a formal notification.
How Shared Rooftop Solar Actually Works for a Housing Society
Even under the existing scheme, societies already have two practical routes, and it helps to know both before your RWA picks one.
Common area solar – the system powers only shared loads: lifts, corridor lighting, water pumps, and security systems. This is the simplest to design, approve, and maintain, since it doesn’t touch individual flat meters at all.
Virtual Net Metering (VNM) – one rooftop system’s output is notionally split across individual flat connections through DISCOM billing, so residents see the benefit directly on their own electricity bill, not just in reduced maintenance charges.
A third, smaller-scale option some residents ask about is a balcony or micro solar panel for their own connection, but that needs RWA no-objection and only ever makes a dent in one flat’s bill; it isn’t a substitute for a society-level system.
PM Surya Ghar Subsidy for Housing Societies: The Numbers Today
Under the current scheme, before any 2.0 changes land, here’s what a society can already access:
| Model | Subsidy | Cap | Typical payback |
| Common area system | ₹18,000 per kW | Up to 500 kW | 4-6 years |
| Individual flat share (via VNM, where enabled) | Central subsidy per residential connection | Per-connection basis, DISCOM dependent | Varies by flat allocation |
For a mid-sized society, that adds up fast. A 50 kW common-area system, for instance, can pull in roughly ₹9 lakh in central subsidy alone, on top of the electricity savings on lifts, pumps, and lighting that societies already spend heavily on every month.
Common Area Solar vs Virtual Net Metering: Which Fits Your Society?
| Factor | Common Area Solar | Virtual Net Metering |
| Who benefits | All residents equally, via lower maintenance | Individual flat owners, via lower personal bills |
| RWA approval complexity | Lower | Higher, needs connection-level allocation |
| DISCOM readiness required | Standard | Advanced (smart metering helps) |
| Best for | Societies wanting quick, low-friction wins | Societies with strong RWA coordination |
Neither option is universally “better” ; it depends on how organised your RWA is and how your local DISCOM currently handles multi-connection billing.
What Real Numbers Look Like on the Ground
Numbers on a policy page are one thing; a working installation is another. Kondaas has been installing PM Surya Ghar-empanelled rooftop systems across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and beyond since 1995, and our completed residential and commercial project case studies show the same pattern repeating: shared and common-area systems consistently cut electricity spend by 60-70% within the first year, with the central subsidy alone shortening payback by roughly 18-24 months compared to an unsubsidised system.
Steps for an RWA to Apply
- Pass a formal RWA/AOA resolution approving rooftop solar
- Get a rooftop shadow and load assessment done by an MNRE-empanelled vendor
- Decide between common-area-only or a VNM structure with your DISCOM
- Submit the application through the National Portal under the society’s name
- Complete DISCOM feasibility approval and net metering paperwork
- Install, get inspected, and receive the subsidy directly into the society’s account
What to Check Before Any Society Signs With a Vendor
This is where EEAT actually matters, not just policy knowledge. Before your RWA commits capital, verify:
- DCR compliance – non-DCR panels can disqualify you from the subsidy entirely; this is worth checking against our buyer’s guide to spotting non-DCR panels before you sign anything
- MNRE empanelment status of the vendor, not just a claim of it
- Track record on shared/society-scale systems specifically, not only single-home installs
- Post-installation monitoring and maintenance support, since a society system serves dozens of households and downtime affects everyone
Kondaas has run exactly this kind of vetted, PM Surya Ghar-empanelled installation process for over 25 years and 100,000+ customers across South India; you can see our full track record on our About Us page .
Final Thoughts
For housing societies considering common-area solar or exploring home solar options , the best next step is a proper rooftop assessment. It helps your RWA understand the available capacity, potential savings, and subsidy before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can an individual flat owner apply for PM Surya Ghar without the RWA?
No. Since the rooftop is common property, applications must go through the RWA or AOA as a collective entity.
2.Is PM Surya Ghar 2.0 confirmed policy yet?
Not yet. It’s under MNRE stakeholder consultation, with shared rooftop solar, battery storage, and virtual net metering all being discussed as part of it.
3.What’s the maximum subsidy a housing society can get right now?
₹18,000 per kW for common area systems, capped at 500 kW under the current scheme before any 2.0 revisions.
4.Does virtual net metering work in every city?
It depends on your DISCOM’s smart-metering readiness, which is one reason PM Surya Ghar 2.0 discussions specifically flag DISCOM infrastructure as a rollout constraint.