The Government of Maharashtra just launched a new SMART Solar Scheme for their residents. The full form of SMART is Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Rooftop Solar Scheme. This scheme is started to encourage domestic consumers, especially the economically weaker section, to install a solar system on their rooftop. Under this scheme government will install Solar rooftops on 5 lakh households to make them self-sufficient in electricity and also help them to reduce their power consumption and lower down electricity bills. In this scheme government releases a resolution in which they announce to provide subsidies on solar panels under the SMART Scheme.
The Maharashtra government give 90 to 95% subsidy on the installation of solar panels for economically weaker section families. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide benefits to BPL, SC, and ST consumers, enabling them to pay zero electricity bills. This scheme and the courage of Maharashtra residents to install solar rooftop and get a subsidy of up to 95%. The SMART (Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Rooftop) Scheme also complements the central government’s popular scheme, Pradhanmantri Surya Ghar muft bijli Yojana.
Maharashtra SMART Solar Scheme
The Maharashtra SMART Solar Scheme was officially launched on the 7th of October. The Central Government give a subsidy of up to 60% on the Solar rooftop installation. The Maharashtra government give an additional 20% to 35% subsidy under the Smart Scheme. If any person is interested in installing solar panels in this team, then they can easily get a subsidy 90% to 95%.
| Scheme name | SMART (Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Rooftop Solar Scheme) |
| Authority | MSEDCL |
| Scheme for | Solar panel installation at subsidised rate |
| Eligible beneficiary | Only Maharashtra residents |
| Eligible category | BPL, SC/ST, EWS |
| Subsidy | 90 to 95% |
| Eligibility | Monthly consumption less than 100 units and belongs to the BPL, SC, ST, or EWS category |
| Budget | 330 crore for FY – 2025 26 and 325 crore for FY 2026-27 |
| Maximum capacity | Up to 3 Kilowatt |
Primary focus of the SMART Scheme
- The government have a target to implement this scheme up to 5 lakh domestic consumers and reduce their electricity bill to zero.
- The scheme also helps families to become self-reliant in power consumption.
- Households can also earn some extra money by selling their surplus electricity units back to the grid.
- India commits to 500 gigawatt of non-fossil fuel power electricity. This scheme will help the government achieve the target.
- Also, help to contribute to net-zero emissions by 2070.
- The government will give priority to backward and remote areas.
Category Wise Beneficiaries
With the help of the SMART Solar scheme, the government aim to give a benefit of Rs 5 lakh to domestic consumers. These consumers are divided accordingly:-
- Below poverty line (BPL) – 1.54 lakh
- Economically weaker section (EWS) – 3.45 Lakh
- Schedule cast (SC)
- Schedule tribe (ST)
Benefits Of MSEDCL SMART Scheme
Under the Pradhanmantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijali Yojana, when anyone installs a solar panel, they will get a 60% subsidy from the central government. Now, under the SMART Solar scheme, an additional 20% to 35% state subsidy will be provided.
- It will help you reduce your electricity bill to zero by generating your own power.
- Help you generate extra income by selling surplus electricity units to the government.
- If you install a solar panel under the scheme, then you will get maintenance coverage for 5 years.
- If any person belongs to backward areas like Gadchiroli, Chandanpur, Melghat, etc., they get priority.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only Maharashtra residents are eligible for this solar scheme.
- Only domestic electricity consumers are eligible.
- The monthly electricity consumption of the user is less than 100 units.
- Only the BPL, SC, ST and EWS category consumers are eligible.
- The applicant has a proper rooftop space to install a solar panel system.
Subsidy Chart
The Solar Panel units are installed according to the kilowatt. This totally depends on the user’s monthly consumption and their requirements. Today, we make a standard benchmark in which the 1 kilowatt solar panel installation cost will be 50000, then what is your actual cost to install this Total system?
| Category of Consumers | Consumers Share | State Share | Centre Share | Total System Cost |
| BPL | Rs 2,500 | Rs 17,500 | Rs 30,000 | Rs 50,000 |
| EWS General | Rs 10,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 30,000 | Rs 50,000 |
| SC | Rs 5,000 | Rs 15,000 | Rs 30,000 | Rs 50,000 |
| ST | Rs 5,000 | Rs 15,000 | Rs 30,000 | Rs 50,000 |
Budget for the scheme
For the successful implementation of the smart solar scheme Maharashtra government allocated a budget of rupees 655 crore. This amount will be divided into two financial years.
- For financial year 2025-26 – 330 Crore
- For financial year 2026-27 – 325 crore
Implementation Steps
This complete process will be implemented under the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). Implementation of the scheme will be done through the following steps:-
- For the project execution, the first step is verification of the applicant and monitoring their progress.
- After that, tenders will be issued to qualified suppliers.
- Ensure that the Solar Panel modules will be made in India, IEC certified.
- After the installation, supervise the whole process and maintenance for 5 years.
- Monitor the project and make a report quarterly
- Give priority to backward and tribal/ remote areas.
Document List
- Aadhar of the applicant
- Electricity bill (recent)
- Income certificate (EWS category)
- Cast certificate (SC/ST categories)
- BPL ration card – for BPL families
- Bank passbook
- Property /Home ownership documents
- Passport-sized photograph
- Mobile number
SMART Solar Scheme Maharashtra Apply Online
- Interested applicants can visit the MSEDCL official website: www.mahadiscom.in
- Firstly have to register as a consumer by adding your electricity connection details.
- Now, firstly have to check your eligibility. It totally depends on your monthly unit consumption and category.
- If you are eligible for this scheme, then submit your documents online.
- Select a vendor from the given approved list.
- After that, get a technical assessment of your rooftop.
- After some time, you will receive approval and subsidy disbursement details.
- After the successful installation, you can inspect the project by the MSEDCL.
- When the review of your project is completed and approved, the subsidy will be received into your bank account.
Helpline Number
For any type of enquiry, you can contact the MSEB helpline numbers 1800-212-3435 and 1800-233-3435.
FAQ
What is the Maharashtra SMART Solar Scheme?
The complete Name of SMART is Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Rooftop Solar Scheme. This scheme is started by the Maharashtra government for BPL, SC, ST and EWS domestic consumers. Under the scheme, consumers will get a 90 to 95% subsidy on the installation of a solar rooftop.
Who is eligible to apply for the scheme?
Consumer who lies under the BPL, SC, ST and EWS categories and whose monthly electricity consumption is less than 100 units are eligible.
How much subsidy is provided under the SMART Solar scheme?
Subsidy is divided into two parts. The central government give a fixed subsidy of 60%. On the other hand Maharashtra government give 35% subsidy for BPL consumers, 20% for EWS general consumers and 30% for SC and ST category.
How much solar panel kilowatt capacity can you install under the scheme?
Consumers can be allowed a maximum of 3 KW under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana guidelines.
What is the maintenance charge after the installation of solar panels?
The government will give you free maintenance for 5 years.
What can we do with the surplus electricity units?
You can sell surplus solar electricity units back to the grid to generate extra income.