Solar subsidy in Karnataka: mature grid, central money.
Karnataka is one of India's most experienced solar states — utility-scale and rooftop alike. For households the money is the central CFA; the state's contribution is an ESCOM machinery that has processed rooftop solar for a decade.
- Central CFA
- Up to ₹78,000 (PM Surya Ghar)
- State top-up
- No standing residential capital top-up
- DISCOMs
- BESCOM (Bangalore) + 4 regional ESCOMs
- State backdrop
- Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy (KREDL)
Administered by MNRE (central CFA) · BESCOM and state ESCOMs (process) · KREDL (state policy).
How it works in Karnataka actually works.
Karnataka has been a national leader in solar for over a decade — from the Pavagada ultra-mega solar park to one of the earliest rooftop net-metering programmes in the country. For a household today, the subsidy is the central PM Surya Ghar CFA, up to ₹78,000, applied for on the national portal; Karnataka does not currently stack a standing state capital subsidy for residential rooftops on top of it. What the state offers instead is institutional maturity: BESCOM and the other ESCOMs have processed rooftop applications for years, and the empanelled-vendor ecosystem is deep.
Bangalore is served by BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company); the rest of the state is covered by four regional ESCOMs — MESCOM (Mangalore region), CESC (Mysore region), HESCOM (Hubli region) and GESCOM (Gulbarga region). Policy direction comes from the Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy administered through KREDL, which shapes net-metering rules, C&I frameworks and land-based programmes.
Bangalore's moderate climate cuts both ways: generation per kW is respectable year-round, and lower air-conditioning loads mean a typical home's consumption is lower than in north India — so a smaller system often fully offsets the bill. For farmers, Karnataka implements PM-KUSUM through its nodal machinery, building on the state's earlier farm-solar experiments (including the Surya Raitha pilot).
The subsidy, in numbers.
Residential: the central CFA applies in full (₹30,000/kW for the first 2 kW, ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW, capped at ₹78,000), with no standing Karnataka capital top-up for residential systems. Net metering through BESCOM/ESCOMs credits exported units per KERC regulations. C&I consumers work within the state's net-metering/wheeling frameworks rather than capital subsidy. Farmers access PM-KUSUM components through the state's implementation.
KERC net-metering regulations and any new state incentives under the current Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy should be verified with BESCOM/KREDL before relying on them.
Some figures above are being verified against current government notifications before we publish exact rates. Talk to us for the latest position.
The process, step by step.
- 01Step
Apply on pmsuryaghar.gov.in
Select Karnataka and your ESCOM — BESCOM in Bangalore; MESCOM, CESC, HESCOM or GESCOM elsewhere.
- 02Step
ESCOM feasibility approval
The ESCOM validates sanctioned load and technical feasibility against your connection.
- 03Step
Empanelled-vendor installation
Install through an empanelled vendor from the portal list; Karnataka's vendor base is one of the deepest in India.
- 04Step
Net meter, inspection, subsidy
Bidirectional metering and inspection, commissioning on the portal, and CFA disbursal to your account.
Eligibility, plainly.
- Residential consumers of BESCOM or the regional ESCOMs with roof access/consent.
- Grid-connected systems via empanelled vendors (central-scheme conditions apply).
- C&I consumers per KERC net-metering/wheeling regulations.
- Farmers per Karnataka's PM-KUSUM implementation windows.
Where this scheme meets our work.
Karnataka: clear answers.
- No standing state capital subsidy for residential rooftops — Karnataka households claim the central CFA of up to ₹78,000. The state's real advantage is process maturity: BESCOM and the ESCOMs have run rooftop net metering longer than almost anyone in India, and the installer ecosystem is deep and competitive.
- BESCOM — Bangalore Electricity Supply Company — serves the city and surrounding districts. Applications start on pmsuryaghar.gov.in and route to BESCOM, which handles feasibility, net metering and inspection. Outside Bangalore, the regional ESCOM for your district (MESCOM, CESC, HESCOM or GESCOM) plays the same role.
- Often less than you'd think. Bangalore's moderate climate keeps consumption lower than in north Indian summers, so many homes fully offset their bill with 2–3 kW — which also happens to be the sweet spot where the PM Surya Ghar CFA covers the largest share of system cost. A bill-based load analysis settles it before you buy.
- Yes — Karnataka implements PM-KUSUM (solar pumps, pump solarisation and small plants on barren land) through its state nodal machinery, building on earlier programmes like the Surya Raitha pilot. Windows and terms are state-specific; we track and file them.