The Commissioning Process: Claiming Your Subsidy

Installing the solar panels is not the final step. To receive your ₹78,000 subsidy, your plant must be officially commissioned and connected to the grid via a net meter.

The Detailed 5-Step Commissioning & Subsidy Release Protocol

Completing the physical installation of photovoltaic modules and the inverter on your rooftop represents only the midway point of your solar journey. To synchronize your plant with the grid and receive the ₹78,000 Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidy from the Central Government, your system must undergo formal inspection, testing, and digital commissioning.

1

Work Completion Report (WCR) Upload

Your empanelled solar installer must submit the Work Completion Report on the PM Surya Ghar National Portal. This formal filing includes high-resolution photographs of the installed modules, inverter serial numbers, domestic content requirement (DCR) certification barcodes, and the certified earthing test report demonstrating earth resistance under 5 Ohms.

2

DISCOM Physical Site Inspection

Upon WCR submission, your local distribution utility (DISCOM) assigns a junior engineer or subdivision officer to inspect the installation. The engineer verifies anti-islanding safety disconnect functionality, confirms that Surge Protection Devices (SPD) are wired properly, and checks that bidirectional wiring meets CEIG standards.

3

Bidirectional Net Meter Installation

The DISCOM technician replaces your standard unidirectional energy meter with a government-calibrated bidirectional net meter. This smart meter tracks two distinct registers: Import (kWh drawn from the grid) and Export (clean solar power pushed into the grid). The meter is sealed, and initial reference readings are logged.

4

Commissioning Certificate Generation

Following grid synchronization, the DISCOM inspecting officer marks the inspection as "Passed" on the digital portal. The system automatically issues your official, digitally signed Joint Commissioning Certificate, confirming that your plant is a legally recognized distributed power generator.

5

Bank Details Submission & DBT Disbursal

With the Commissioning Certificate generated, log back into your consumer dashboard and navigate to "Claim Subsidy". Upload a scanned copy of your cancelled cheque or bank passbook. The central PFMS banking gateway processes the grant, depositing the ₹78,000 subsidy directly into your bank account within 20 to 35 business days.

Commissioning Milestones & SLA Timeline Summary

Table 1: Statutory Commissioning Stages & Service Level Agreements
Milestone Responsible Party Statutory SLA Required Verification
Work Completion Report Empanelled EPC Contractor Within 3 days of install DCR barcodes, Earthing certificate
Site Inspection DISCOM Field Engineer 10–15 Business Days Anti-islanding disconnect test
Net Meter Synchronization DISCOM Metering Division Within 7 days of inspection Meter calibration seal & initial units
DBT Subsidy Transfer MNRE / PFMS Central Server 20–35 Business Days Aadhaar-seeded bank account credit

How to Escalate If Your Net Meter Installation is Delayed

Under Rule 11 of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, state utilities are legally mandated to complete solar net meter inspections within 15 working days. If your local subdivision office delays your meter installation:

  1. Lodge Portal Grievance: Navigate to the "Grievance" module in your PM Surya Ghar consumer portal and log an online ticket with your application ID.
  2. Submit Written Escalation: Submit a written demand letter to the Superintending Engineer (SE O&M) of your DISCOM division.
  3. File CGRF Petition: If the delay exceeds 30 days, file a complaint with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). Utilities face statutory daily compensation penalties for unjustified connection delays.

1. Submit the Work Completion Report

After your empanelled vendor finishes the physical installation, they must upload the "Work Completion Report" to the portal. This report proves that they used DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) ALMM-approved panels and valid inverters. They must also upload photos of the installation.

2. DISCOM Inspection & Net Meter Installation

Once the work report is submitted, your local DISCOM will send an engineer to inspect the site. If the system meets safety standards, the DISCOM will install the Bi-Directional Net Meter. This process typically takes 15 to 30 days depending on your state.

3. Commissioning Certificate Generation

After the net meter is installed and synchronized with the grid, the DISCOM official will approve the system on the portal. This automatically generates your official Commissioning Certificate.

4. Submit Bank Details for Subsidy

Log back into your consumer portal. Now that the commissioning certificate is active, a new option to "Submit Bank Details" will appear. Enter a cancelled cheque or bank passbook for a bank account that is strictly in the name of the applicant.

DBT Timeline

Once you submit your bank details, the MNRE will process the payment. The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) within 30 to 45 days.

Joint Inspection Report (JIR) & DISCOM Verification Standards

The commissioning milestone is the definitive bridge between mechanical completion and subsidy disbursement. Following equipment installation by your ALMM-registered vendor, the local DISCOM junior engineer conducts an on-site physical inspection to certify safety compliance and net meter synchronization.

Mandatory Field Inspection Checklist for Homeowners

  1. Dual Earthing Verification: Confirm that independent dedicated earthing pits exist for DC surge protection, AC distribution box, and solar module structure. Earth resistance must measure below 5 ohms.
  2. Anti-Islanding Safety Demonstration: The DISCOM inspector will trip the main AC breaker to confirm that the grid-tied inverter immediately shuts off generation within 20 milliseconds, safeguarding line workers from electrocution.
  3. Bidirectional Net Meter Calibration: Check that the newly installed bi-directional meter is pre-tested and sealed by the DISCOM meter testing laboratory (MTL) with tamper-evident security seals.
  4. Signing the Physical JIR: Both the homeowner, the registered vendor representative, and the DISCOM inspecting officer must sign the physical Joint Inspection Report on-site.

Uploading the Commissioning Certificate to the National Portal

Once the JIR is signed, the vendor or DISCOM uploads the commissioning certificate and net meter installation photograph directly to the PM Surya Ghar National Portal. Homeowners should log into their dashboard within 48 hours to confirm the status changes to "Plant Commissioned," unlocking the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidy claim window.