With the rising cost of electricity and increasing awareness about renewable energy, many apartment residents in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu are exploring solar power. A common question that comes up is whether apartments and housing societies can benefit from the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar subsidy scheme.
The answer is yes—but with important conditions. Unlike independent houses, where individual homeowners can directly apply for subsidy, apartments and housing societies follow a collective model. Understanding how this works will help you decide the best approach for your building.
Solar panel installation Thiruvanmiyur
Understanding the PM Surya Ghar Scheme
The PM Surya Ghar scheme is a Government of India initiative designed to promote rooftop solar installations for residential users. The goal is to reduce electricity bills, encourage clean energy adoption, and reduce dependence on the grid.
For individual houses, the process is straightforward. The homeowner installs a rooftop solar system, meets eligibility criteria, and receives a subsidy based on system capacity.
However, apartments and multi-dwelling buildings operate differently because the rooftop is typically a shared resource, not individually owned.
Can Apartments and Housing Societies Apply?
Yes, apartments and housing societies are eligible for subsidy under the scheme, but only under a group or community-based approach.
In this case, the application is not made by an individual flat owner. Instead, it is made by:
- A Resident Welfare Association (RWA)
- A Group Housing Society (GHS)
- A registered apartment association
These entities act on behalf of all residents and manage the installation and operation of the solar system.
How the Subsidy Model Works for Apartments
In apartment complexes, solar systems are typically installed for common area electricity consumption rather than individual flats.
This includes power used for:
- Lifts and elevators
- Water pumps and motors
- Common lighting (corridors, parking areas, street lights)
- Security systems
- EV charging infrastructure (in some cases)
The solar system is installed on the shared rooftop, and the electricity generated is used to offset the building’s common EB (electricity board) consumption.
The subsidy is then provided to the housing society or RWA, not to individual residents.
Subsidy Structure for Housing Societies
Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, housing societies are eligible for subsidy support based on system capacity.
Typically:
- Subsidy is calculated per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity
- The benefit can scale significantly for large apartment complexes
- There may be upper limits on total subsidy amount depending on policy updates
Because apartment systems are usually larger than individual home systems, the total subsidy received by a society can be substantial, making the project financially viable.
Can Individual Flat Owners Claim Subsidy?
This depends on the type of apartment setup.
Scenario 1: Exclusive Rooftop Rights (Rare)
In a few cases, a flat owner may have exclusive rights to a portion of the rooftop. If this is legally documented and the owner installs an independent solar system connected to their meter, they may be eligible for subsidy similar to an independent house.
However, such cases are uncommon in Chennai.
Scenario 2: Shared Rooftop (Most Common)
In most apartment buildings:
- The rooftop is jointly owned by all residents
- Individual installation is not permitted
- Electricity connections are separate for each flat
In this situation, individual residents cannot apply for subsidy separately, even if they are willing to invest.
How Residents Benefit from Society-Level Solar
Even though individuals do not receive direct subsidy, apartment residents still gain several indirect benefits.
Reduced Maintenance Charges
When solar energy is used to power common areas, the building’s electricity bill decreases. This leads to lower monthly maintenance fees for all residents.
Long-Term Savings
Over time, the savings from reduced electricity costs can offset the initial investment made by the society.
Increased Property Value
Apartments with solar installations are often seen as more attractive and future-ready, which can improve resale and rental value.
Environmental Benefits
Using solar power reduces carbon footprint and supports sustainable living, which is increasingly important for urban communities.
Challenges for Apartments in Chennai
While the benefits are clear, there are some practical challenges in implementing solar systems in apartment complexes.
Shared Decision-Making
Approval is required from a majority of residents, which can delay or complicate the process.
Limited Rooftop Space
High-rise buildings may have limited roof area compared to the number of flats, restricting how much solar capacity can be installed.
Technical Design Complexity
Designing a system that efficiently powers common loads while complying with regulations requires careful planning.
Initial Investment
Even after subsidy, the upfront cost may require contributions from residents or external financing.
Key Requirements for Eligibility
For a housing society in Tamil Nadu to successfully claim subsidy, the following conditions are typically required:
- The society must be legally registered
- It must have a common electricity connection
- The rooftop must be structurally suitable for solar installation
- Installation must be carried out by an approved vendor
- The system must use DCR-compliant solar panels
- The application must be submitted through the official national solar portal
Meeting these requirements ensures smooth approval and subsidy disbursement.
Chennai-Specific Insights
In Chennai, rooftop solar adoption is still more common in independent houses than in apartments. However, this is gradually changing as more housing societies explore community solar models.
Factors driving this shift include:
- Rising EB tariffs for common area consumption
- Increased awareness of subsidy benefits
- Growing interest in sustainable housing solutions
Apartment solar projects are becoming more viable, especially in large gated communities where common electricity usage is significant.
Common Misconceptions
There are a few common misunderstandings about solar subsidy in apartments.
Some people assume that each flat owner can install their own panels and claim subsidy individually. In reality, this is not possible in most cases due to shared rooftop ownership.
Another misconception is that tenants can apply for subsidy separately. Subsidy is linked to ownership and is processed through the housing society or property owner, not individual tenants.
Understanding these points helps avoid confusion during planning.
Final Verdict
Apartments and housing societies in Tamil Nadu can absolutely benefit from the PM Surya Ghar subsidy scheme, but only through a collective approach.
- Individual flats typically cannot claim subsidy separately
- Housing societies can install solar for common areas and receive subsidy
- Benefits are shared across all residents through reduced costs
For apartment living, solar is not an individual decision—it is a community investment.
FAQs
1. Can each flat owner apply for subsidy separately in an apartment?
No. In most cases, subsidy is available only for society-level installations.
2. Who receives the subsidy amount in apartment projects?
The registered housing society or RWA receives the subsidy.
3. What type of electricity usage does apartment solar cover?
It mainly covers common area consumption such as lifts, pumps, and lighting.
4. Is solar worth it for apartments in Chennai?
Yes, especially for large complexes with high common electricity usage.
5. Can tenants benefit from apartment solar systems?
Yes, indirectly through reduced maintenance charges and shared savings.