PANAJI
The Goa government has notified the ‘Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Promotion Scheme’, aimed at accelerating the installation of rooftop solar systems across residential, institutional, commercial and industrial sectors by offering State Financial Assistance (SFA) in addition to the Centre's PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The scheme, which came into force retrospectively from April 1, 2026, will remain valid till March 31, 2028. It amends and dovetails the State's 2024 rooftop solar subsidy scheme with the latest operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The notification states that Goa has been allotted a target of 65 mw rooftop solar capacity by FY 2026-27 under the national programme. The scheme seeks to promote grid-connected rooftop solar systems with net metering, group net metering and virtual net metering. As per the scheme, the residential consumers, group housing societies, resident welfare associations, educational institutions, NGOs, commercial and industrial establishments having permanent electricity consumer account numbers will be eligible for financial assistance. For residential consumers, the State government will provide subsidy of up to 50 per cent of the benchmark cost for systems up to 10 kWp. The State assistance ranges from Rs 20,000 for a 1 kW system to Rs 2.20 lakh for a 10 kW system, over and above the Central Financial Assistance wherever applicable.
Group Housing Societies and Resident Welfare Associations installing rooftop solar systems for common facilities, including EV charging, as well as educational institutions, will also receive 50 per cent subsidy, restricted to projects up to 90 kWp, at Rs 22,500 per kW. Commercial, industrial and other establishments will be eligible for 20 per cent State subsidy, restricted to 90 kWp, at Rs 9,000 per kW. The notification stipulates that beneficiaries must install systems only through vendors empanelled under PM Surya Ghar and approved by GEDA. Subsidies will be released on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to budgetary allocation. “The State Financial Assistance shall be released to the eligible beneficiary within five working days from the date of disbursement of the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to the beneficiary's bank account subject to the availability of budgetary allocation under the Scheme,” the notification stated. The government has also reserved the right to modify, suspend or discontinue the scheme depending on budgetary provisions.
