SolarSavings
1. Bihar Rooftop Solar Pricing & Subsidy Matrix (2026)
Bihar Rooftop Solar is among the cheapest in India in 2026. A 3 kW home system gets ₹78,000 in central financial assistance under PM Surya Ghar, plus a ₹20,000 state top-up under the Mukhyamantri Solar Protsahan Yojana. Combined support of up to ₹98,000 cuts the net cost of a 3 kW plant to roughly ₹72,000 to ₹97,000.
CFA stands for Central Financial Assistance. This is the subsidy money paid directly into your bank account after your plant is commissioned and inspected. To claim CFA, your panels must satisfy DCR rules. DCR means Domestic Content Requirement: the solar cells and modules must be manufactured in India. Your installer must be registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal, and your panels must be on the ALMM list, the government's approved list of module models. The state top-up was announced in September 2026 and is valid till March 31, 2027, so confirm the current status with BREDA or SBPDCL before you apply.
| System Size | Gross Turnkey Cost | Total Subsidy (Central + Top-up) | Net Consumer Cost | Estimated Annual Savings | Estimated Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹60,000 – ₹70,000 | ₹40,000 (₹30,000 + ₹10,000 top-up) | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 | ~₹11,000 / year | ≈2.7 Years |
| 2 kW | ₹1,20,000 – ₹1,35,000 | ₹80,000 (₹60,000 + ₹20,000 top-up) | ₹40,000 – ₹55,000 | ~₹22,000 / year | ≈2.6 Years |
| 3 kW (Most Recommended) | ₹1,70,000 – ₹1,95,000 | ₹98,000 (₹78,000 + ₹20,000 top-up) | ₹72,000 – ₹97,000 | ~₹33,000 / year | ≈2.9 Years |
| 5 kW | ₹2,75,000 – ₹3,10,000 | ₹98,000 (₹78,000 + ₹20,000 top-up) | ₹1,77,000 – ₹2,12,000 | ~₹55,000 / year | ≈3.8 Years |
| 10 kW | ₹5,10,000 – ₹5,70,000 | ₹98,000 (₹78,000 + ₹20,000 top-up) | ₹4,12,000 – ₹4,72,000 | ~₹1,10,000 / year | ≈4.3 Years |
Subsidy figures combine the PM Surya Ghar central CFA with the Mukhyamantri Solar Protsahan Yojana top-up (₹10,000 for 1 kW, ₹20,000 for 2 kW and above), valid till March 31, 2027. Savings are rough estimates; BERC sets telescopic domestic tariffs, so check the current SBPDCL tariff schedule for your exact slab rates.
2. BERC Net Metering Framework & Banking Rules
Net metering lets your rooftop plant push extra daytime power into the grid. Your bi-directional meter tracks both import and export, and your bill is charged only on the net units you consume. In Bihar, a July 2026 BERC order removed the application fee and meter-testing fee, so applying for SBPDCL net metering is now effectively free.
- What net metering means: A bi-directional meter is a special meter that records electricity flowing in both directions. Power you draw from the grid counts as import. Surplus solar power you send back counts as export. Your monthly bill is based on import minus export.
- Sizing up to sanctioned load: Systems can be approved up to 100% of your sanctioned load. If your sanctioned load is 4 kW, you can install up to a 4 kW rooftop plant without paying infrastructure upgrade fees.
- Banking and settlement: Surplus units are banked and adjusted against your consumption in your bill. Banking cycles and year-end settlement rates are set by BERC, so check the current net metering regulations on the SBPDCL portal before you size your system.
- Zero application cost: After the July 2026 BERC order, SBPDCL cannot charge you an application fee or a meter-testing fee for rooftop solar net metering. You still pay your vendor for the plant, installation, and the bi-directional meter hardware if it is billed separately.
3. DISCOM Portals Across Bihar
A DISCOM is a power distribution company. It is the utility that supplies electricity to your home, owns the meter on your wall, and approves your net metering application. Bihar has two DISCOMs:
⚡ SBPDCL (South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited)
Serves Patna and the districts of south Bihar. This guide focuses on SBPDCL areas. Rooftop applications start on the PM Surya Ghar national portal, which forwards feasibility and inspection requests to SBPDCL.
⚡ NBPDCL (North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited)
Serves north Bihar districts including Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur. The process is the same: apply on the national portal, and your application is routed to NBPDCL based on your consumer number.
Explore the complete Bihar Solar Directory
Published guides below are fully updated with October 2026 regulations, local DISCOM guidelines, and DCR hardware standards. More guides for this state are on the way. Choose a directory path to begin:
💰 Costs, Subsidy & Loans
Calculate your PM Surya Ghar central CFA subsidy and direct state-level top-up incentives.
Detailed cost breakdown, panel requirements, and estimated savings for standard 3kW homes.
Budget guidelines, roof area analysis, and solar ROI timeline for larger 5kW installations.
Compare pricing on Mono PERC, Bifacial, and Polycrystalline panels across active ALMM brands.
Evaluate collateral-free EMI options, interest rates, and loan terms from SBI, PNB, and SIDBI.
Examine utility slab charges and fixed fees to accurately calculate your solar monthly offsets.
📋 Net Metering & Connections
Understand banking cycles, surplus rollover credits, and bi-directional meter testing procedures.
Navigate portal logins, load feasibility clearance checks, and meter sync protocols.
Browse the directory of empanelled, ALMM-compliant installers offering 5-year warranties.
Error-free checklist of IDs, bills, society NOCs, and ownership proofs for smooth approvals.
Track expected portal milestones from initial registry to final DBT bank account transfer.
Prevent net meter sealing delays, sanctioned load mismatch rejections, and portal sync lags.
Understand eligibility requirements under PM Surya Ghar and state electrification schemes.
⚙️ Sizing, Tech & Care
Sizing rules, structural loads, and configuration standards for housing rooftop solar.
Accelerated depreciation, tax offsets, CAPEX/OPEX models, and high-capacity system setups.
How grid-connected systems offset energy bills, grid tie-ins, and anti-islanding mechanics.
Stand-alone batteries, battery controllers, off-grid backup configs for rural/frequent powercut areas.
Prevent cell degradation, monitor inverter output, clean panels safely, and handle CMC claims.
Examine Tier-1 manufacturers, module efficiency ranks, and domestic component warranties.
📍 District Guides
Find SBPDCL-area installers, local price benchmarks, and vendor selection tips for Patna homes.
Important local DISCOM note:
Always verify grid feasibility through your local SBPDCL subdivisional office. Applications for connections above 10 kW may need extra load clearance and a transformer capacity check.
Frequently Asked Questions (Local Bihar Policy)
What is the solar subsidy in Bihar in 2026? +
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Bihar homes get ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW, and ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above as central financial assistance. The state Mukhyamantri Solar Protsahan Yojana, announced in September 2026, adds ₹10,000 for 1 kW and ₹20,000 for 2 kW and above. Combined support reaches up to ₹98,000, and the state top-up is valid till March 31, 2027.
How much does it cost to apply for SBPDCL net metering? +
A July 2026 order from the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) waived the application fee and the meter-testing fee for rooftop solar net metering. Applying for net metering with SBPDCL is therefore effectively free. You still pay your vendor for the plant and installation.
Which DISCOM should I contact for rooftop solar in Patna? +
Patna is served by South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL). North Bihar districts are served by North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL). Apply through the PM Surya Ghar national portal, which routes your application to the right DISCOM based on your consumer number.