Solar for common-area power
Most of a society's electricity bill comes from the common meter: lifts, borewell and transfer pumps, the sewage treatment plant, lighting, the clubhouse and increasingly EV charging. These loads run through the day, which suits solar. A correctly sized rooftop plant can take a large share of that daytime consumption and lower the maintenance charge every flat pays.
What the subsidy covers
Group Housing Societies and RWAs can receive central financial assistance of ₹18,000 per kW for solar on common facilities under PM Surya Ghar, up to 500 kW in total. The cap is worked out at 3 kW per house and includes any rooftop plants individual residents install in the same society. Confirm the current terms on pmsuryaghar.gov.in before you finalise the budget.
Three ways to connect the plant
- Net metering on the common meter. The plant feeds the common-area service connection. Simple and widely used.
- Group net metering (GNM). Lets generation from one plant offset consumption across multiple service connections of the same consumer.
- Virtual net metering (VNM). Lets one plant's energy be shared across meters of different consumers, which can help when there is little roof space.
KERC has allowed both VNM and GNM, and BESCOM has published a common procedure for them. Surplus energy under these arrangements is paid at 75% of the applicable generic tariff. Which route suits your society depends on your meters, roof and ownership. We assess it at the survey.
How we size a society plant
- Collect 12 months of common-meter bills and the sanctioned load.
- Map usable roof area, shade from water tanks, lift rooms and neighbouring towers.
- Choose a capacity that matches daytime common load without over-sizing.
- Check roof strength, waterproofing, cable routes, fire access and lightning protection.
- Prepare the cost, subsidy, savings and maintenance plan for the committee.
The AGM-ready proposal
A committee needs numbers it can defend. Our proposal states the plant size, expected yearly generation, monthly bill reduction on the common meter, what it means per flat, the subsidy amount and timeline, the maintenance cost, and the payback. We can prepare these numbers in a format your committee can present.
Roof rights: confirm early who controls the roof (the society, a developer or individual owners) and that the plant location does not block future structures. This is the most common delay in society projects.
Installation on an occupied property
Work in a living community needs planning: material movement, safe lifting, work hours, access to the roof and coordination with the facility manager. We agree a schedule with the committee before mobilising, and we keep walkways and fire-access routes clear.
After commissioning
The plant is only as good as its upkeep. Panels need regular cleaning, and inverters and protection devices need periodic checks. See our solar AMC and cleaning service and our full guide, solar for apartments in Bengaluru.
Frequently asked questions
How much subsidy can an apartment society get?
Under PM Surya Ghar, Group Housing Societies and RWAs can receive ₹18,000 per kW for solar on common facilities, including EV charging, up to 500 kW. The limit is calculated at 3 kW per house and includes any individual rooftop plants installed by residents in the society.
Which loads can a society's solar plant run?
Common-area loads such as lifts, water pumps, sewage treatment, corridor and street lighting, the clubhouse and EV chargers. Residents' own flat meters are separate unless you use a group or virtual net metering arrangement.
Does the society need AGM approval?
Normally yes. The managing committee presents the proposal, per-flat benefit, cost and maintenance plan, and the general body passes a resolution. We prepare the numbers so the committee can present them clearly.
What if the roof is small compared to the society's load?
That is common in high-rise societies. A plant sized to the usable shadow-free roof still cuts common-area bills. Virtual or group net metering may let you place generation elsewhere or share it across meters, subject to KERC and BESCOM rules.
Who maintains the plant?
The society owns the plant, so it needs a cleaning and maintenance plan. We include an AMC option in the proposal so the committee knows the yearly cost upfront.
Keep reading
Need a solar proposal for your managing committee?
We prepare the plant size, yearly generation, per-flat saving and the ₹18,000/kW subsidy numbers in a format your committee can take to the AGM. Tap Free Survey to start, or call us.
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