For residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional

For residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional in Kerala — this guide covers the Kerala Solar Energy Policy 2023 / Kerala Rooftop Solar Programme (ANERT / KSEB). Administered by Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) / KSEB Ltd / Energy Dept., Govt. of Kerala. Below are subsidy rates, eligibility, technical rules, documents, and scheme process.

Subsidy benefits

• Central CFA (PM Surya Ghar): up to Rs.78,000
• Kerala state (Surya Kerala): 40% state subsidy for residential up to 3 kW
• Rs.10,000 additional for BPL households
• Agricultural solar pumps: 60% (PM KUSUM)
• KSEB Surya Plus: zero upfront cost (RESCO model for residential)

Authority and scope

• Government body: Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) / KSEB Ltd / Energy Dept., Govt. of Kerala
• Nodal agency: ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology)
• Eligible for: residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional
• Installation type: Rooftop on-grid + floating solar (backwaters pilot) + agrivoltaic (Palakkad plains)

Eligibility and disbursement

• Open to multiple consumer categories.
• Income restrictions: BPL households: higher state subsidy (80% total). No restriction for others.
• Disbursement timeline: 30–60 days post-commissioning
• Disbursement mode: DBT via ANERT/KSEB; Surya Kerala state subsidy via treasury
• Maximum capacity: 500 kW

Net metering and technical rules

• Net metering is available under this scheme.
• Net metering policy: KERC (Net Metering of Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Systems) Regulations 2018 (amended 2023). 1 kW–500 kW. Single DISCOM: KSEB (all of Kerala). Excess units credited at KSEB buy-back rate.
• Gross metering policy: KERC gross metering for >500 kW. PPA model via KSEB tenders.
• Hybrid policy: Kerala Solar + Backwater (floating solar on backwaters pilot — Paravur Lake, Ernakulam) under ANERT.
• DISCOM requirements: KSEB Ltd: Single DISCOM for all Kerala. KSEB serves all 14 districts including Kasargod, Wayanad, Idukki high-altitude areas.

How to apply

Apply on ANERT portal or KSEB solar portal or pmsuryaghar.gov.in

KSEB feasibility check and approval

ANERT/KSEB-empanelled vendor selection

Installation + net meter

KSEB inspection + commissioning

State subsidy (Surya Kerala) + central CFA via DBT

Documents required

• Aadhaar card
• Electricity bill (KSEB consumer number)
• Property documents (possession certificate / tax receipt)
• BPL ration card (for enhanced subsidy)
• Bank account details

Additional details

• Scheme budget: Kerala RE target: 4,000 MW by 2030; Surya Kerala Scheme under state budget. PM Surya Ghar: 1.8 lakh+ registrations.
• Target beneficiaries: All Kerala consumers. Key areas: Thiruvananthapuram (695xxx), Ernakulam/Kochi (682xxx), Thrissur (680xxx), Kozhikode (673xxx), Kollam (691xxx), Palakkad (678xxx), Malappuram (676xxx).
• Progress: Kerala: 1.5+ GW solar installed (April 2025). Surya Kerala programme: 10,000+ government buildings solarised. Kerala's high electricity tariff makes solar ROI fastest in the state.