In West Bengal you can get the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy of up to Rs 78,000, and since July 2026 the state government adds Rs 5,000 for 1 kW, Rs 10,000 for 2 kW and Rs 15,000 for 3 kW, plus a further Rs 15,000 for SC and ST households, as reported. You apply on the national portal, WBSEDCL (or CESC in its area) handles the grid connection and net metering, and the subsidy is paid into your bank account. Details last checked October 2026.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Central subsidy | Rs 30,000 (1 kW), Rs 60,000 (2 kW), Rs 78,000 (3 kW and above) |
| State top-up (reported) | Rs 5,000 (1 kW), Rs 10,000 (2 kW), Rs 15,000 (3 kW); SC/ST households get an additional Rs 15,000 |
| Combined for 3 kW | Rs 93,000, before any SC/ST add-on |
| State launch | July 2026, at the state secretariat (Nabanna), Kolkata |
| State target | 5 lakh households by March 2027 (the central target for the state is 1 lakh) |
| DISCOMs | WBSEDCL across the state; CESC in its Kolkata licence area |
| State agency | WBREDA |
| Last checked | October 2026 |
What changed in 2026
For the first two years of the national scheme, West Bengal was seen as lagging. In December 2024, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said at a review meeting in Kolkata that the state could do much better. In 2026, the state formally launched PM Surya Ghar and announced its own financial support. News reports say 1,810 households were covered in the first phase, led by North 24 Parganas (238 households) and Hooghly (232). The state has set a target of 5 lakh households by March 2027, five times the 1 lakh target set by the Centre for Bengal, and the central government had also set a goal of 2.7 lakh domestic consumers over two years, according to one report.
The state support amounts were reported by trade publications Energetica India and Construction World. I did not find the government order itself, so I cannot confirm the finer rules such as how the SC/ST grant works with the slab amounts. One report treats the Rs 15,000 as an addition to the slab, while another leaves it unclear. Check with WBREDA or WBSEDCL before you book an installer.
Subsidy table for West Bengal
| System size | Central subsidy | State top-up (reported) | Total (general category) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | Rs 30,000 | Rs 5,000 | Rs 35,000 |
| 2 kW | Rs 60,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 70,000 |
| 3 kW and above | Rs 78,000 | Rs 15,000 | Rs 93,000 |
SC/ST households would get a further Rs 15,000, as reported. The state is also examining whether similar help can be extended to other economically weaker households, but no decision had been reported at the time of writing.
Who can apply?
- Residential consumers with a valid electricity connection from WBSEDCL or CESC.
- Owners of a house with a roof suitable for solar.
- Households that have not already availed a solar subsidy.
These are the national eligibility rules, and the state top-up is described as being given to beneficiaries under the same scheme.
Step-by-step: how to apply in West Bengal
- Go to the national portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in). Select West Bengal and your distribution company, then register with your consumer number, mobile number and email.
- Log in and fill the rooftop solar application form.
- Wait for the feasibility approval from your DISCOM. The central rules, amended in 2024, say that systems up to 10 kW do not need a separate technical feasibility study.
- Choose a registered vendor from the portal and get the system installed.
- Upload plant details and apply for the net meter. The DISCOM inspects the system and installs the meter.
- Download the commissioning certificate from the portal.
- Submit your bank details and a cancelled cheque. The national page says the central subsidy is paid within 30 days of this step.
- Ask your vendor or WBREDA how the state top-up is credited. I could not find a published procedure for this.
WBSEDCL’s own connection process
WBSEDCL has a procedure for grid-connected rooftop solar, dated 2021 and effective from 1 January 2022. An independent guide that summarised it describes these stages: application on a prescribed form with a fee, an inspection of the premises, a quotation or a letter of non-feasibility, work order, installation, a fitness certificate or electrical inspector clearance, and then connectivity inspection with meter installation. It also lists time limits, such as 20 days for the feasibility inspection and 15 days for meter installation and synchronisation.
Please read this as background and not as current law. The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission reportedly notified new rooftop regulations for prosumers in 2025, and the national Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules 2024 shortened some timelines, for example the time for a DISCOM to commission a rooftop system went down from 30 to 15 days. Ask your vendor for the application fee and forms in force today.
Net metering in West Bengal
Net metering lets the units your panels send to the grid be adjusted against the units you take. Under the older WBSEDCL procedure, net metering was available to non-agricultural consumers up to 5 kW of load, while larger consumers got net billing. The 2025 regulations are reported to allow a choice between net metering, net billing and gross metering, with capacity limited to your sanctioned load or contract demand. Because reports differ, get the rule that applies to you in writing from WBSEDCL or CESC. Our guide on how net metering works in India explains the concept.
Cost and savings: an honest picture
A 3 kW system for a Kolkata home generally costs well above the total subsidy; business press quotes Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh nationally before subsidy, and local quotes vary. With Rs 93,000 of subsidy, the out-of-pocket amount can come down to roughly half or less, depending on your quote. Your saving then depends on your usage. Rooftop shade, flat roofs with water tanks and building rules in a dense city can limit how many panels fit, so do a site visit before you commit.
Tips for Bengal households
- Check that your electricity connection is in the name of the person applying.
- Apartment residents should talk to the housing society first. Societies can claim Rs 18,000 per kW for common facilities under the central scheme.
- Do not pay an agent for ‘subsidy approval’. Use the portal and registered vendors.
- Keep copies of your quotation, invoice and commissioning certificate.
- Be careful of websites quoting different state amounts. Use WBREDA, WBSEDCL or the national portal.
Conclusion
West Bengal now offers a state top-up on top of the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy, which makes rooftop solar noticeably cheaper than it was a year ago. Register on the national portal, use a listed vendor, and confirm the state amount with WBREDA before paying. Rules are still being rolled out, so expect updates through the end of the scheme period in March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much solar subsidy is available in West Bengal?
Central subsidy up to Rs 78,000 plus a reported state top-up of Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000, with an extra Rs 15,000 for SC/ST households. A 3 kW system gets Rs 93,000 in total for the general category.
Where do I apply for rooftop solar in West Bengal?
On the national portal pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Choose your state and DISCOM (WBSEDCL or CESC) and register with your consumer number.
Is net metering available in West Bengal?
Yes, through WBSEDCL or CESC. Rules on eligible capacity have changed, so ask your DISCOM for the current limit in writing.
Which agency handles solar in West Bengal?
WBREDA is the state renewable energy agency, while WBSEDCL and CESC handle connections and meters.
Is the West Bengal state top-up confirmed?
It has been reported by Energetica India and Construction World after the July 2026 launch. I could not see the government order, so confirm with WBREDA.
