Quick Facts
What Is DISCOM Empanelment?
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the residential rooftop scheme launched in 2024, replaced that model. MNRE’s Operational Guidelines (7 June 2024) say the scheme “shall be implemented only through the vendors registered on the National Portal”, and that there is no tendering or rate discovery “to empanel RTS vendors as was being carried out in the Phase II program”. So for a home in 2026, the question to ask is not “are you empanelled?” but “are you a vendor registered on the PM Surya Ghar national portal for my DISCOM?”
Vendor registration works at two levels (guidelines clause 7(b)):
- State-level registration with the state DISCOM or state agency. Where a state has several DISCOMs, the state names one nodal DISCOM or agency to register vendors for all of them.
- National, multi-state or state registration with the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA), following the procedure MNRE prescribes.
Once registered, a vendor creates a profile on the National Portal listing the systems and prices it offers and its contacts. The portal also shows each vendor’s rating, consumer feedback and performance on completed projects.
The choice between a registered and an unregistered vendor decides whether you receive Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of up to Rs 78,000 under PM Surya Ghar. It also decides who you can hold to account after installation.
Important: Heaven Green Energy is empanelled with Gujarat’s four DISCOMs, UGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL, and DGVCL, enabling seamless PM Surya Ghar installations with full CFA across the state.
Why Vendor Registration Matters
For Consumers
- CFA eligibility: A consumer must choose a registered vendor to receive CFA (clause 7(a)). An installation by an unregistered vendor gets no central subsidy.
- Free price negotiation: There are no DISCOM-fixed rates. You agree the system design, components and price directly with any registered vendor and can compare vendors on the portal.
- 5-year maintenance cover: Registered vendors must repair and maintain the plant free of cost for a 5-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract from commissioning, and replace or repair non-performing components in that period (clause 7(d)).
- Accountability: If a system is below standard or non-functional because of poor installation, the registering authority can de-register the vendor or levy penalties (clause 7(e)). Grievances raised on the National Portal are to be resolved within 30 days (clause 11).
For DISCOMs and the Scheme
- One national list: Vendor profiles, ratings and project history sit on one portal instead of separate state tender lists.
- Inspection and enforcement: The DISCOM, state agency or MNRE officials can inspect ongoing or installed plants.
- Minimum specifications: Registered vendors must follow the scheme’s minimum technical specifications, including domestically manufactured (DCR) modules and cells for CFA.
How PM Surya Ghar Vendor Registration Works for a Home
- Consumer applies on the National Portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) and gets an application ID.
- Consumer chooses a registered vendor listed on the portal for the state and DISCOM, comparing profiles, prices and ratings.
- Consumer and vendor agree terms on system design, components and price. Rates are mutually decided; there is no rate discovery.
- Vendor installs the system to the scheme’s minimum technical specifications and uploads the installation details.
- DISCOM installs the net meter and inspects the system.
- The CFA e-token is activated for the eligible amount based on actual installed capacity. The consumer redeems it on the portal. The CFA is processed within 15 days of DISCOM approval and goes to the consumer’s bank account, or to the loan account first if the system is financed.
Visual Explanation
Real-World Example
A residential customer in Vadodara, Gujarat, wants a 5 kW rooftop solar system under PM Surya Ghar:
Scenario A, vendor registered on the PM Surya Ghar national portal:
- System cost: Rs 3,00,000 (illustrative quote)
- Central CFA: Rs 78,000 (Rs 30,000/kW for the first 2 kW plus Rs 18,000 for the 3rd kW; the cap applies to systems of 3 kW and above)
- Net customer cost: Rs 2,22,000
- Maintenance: 5-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract from the vendor, plus OEM component warranties
- DISCOM net metering: inspected and commissioned by MGVCL, the DISCOM for Vadodara
Scenario B, vendor not registered on the portal:
- System cost: Rs 2,80,000 (lower upfront quote)
- Central CFA: Rs 0 (ineligible)
- Net customer cost: Rs 2,80,000
Result: The registered vendor’s quote is Rs 20,000 higher, but the Rs 78,000 CFA makes it Rs 58,000 cheaper overall.
Phase-II Empanelment vs PM Surya Ghar Registration
| Aspect | Phase-II DISCOM empanelment (historical) | PM Surya Ghar vendor registration (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Who approves | DISCOM / state agency through a tender | State DISCOM or agency, or NPIA |
| Pricing | DISCOM-discovered rates | Mutually agreed between consumer and vendor |
| Where consumers find vendors | DISCOM’s empanelled list | PM Surya Ghar National Portal |
| Vendor rating | Not standardised | Shown on the National Portal |
| After-sales obligation | As per tender | 5-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract |
| CFA rule | Empanelled vendor required | Registered vendor required |
| Enforcement | Tender terms | De-registration or penalties by the registering authority |
Benefits / Advantages
- CFA access: Using a registered vendor is a condition for PM Surya Ghar CFA.
- Open competition: Without tender-fixed rates, consumers can compare several registered vendors on price and specification.
- Transparency: Vendor profiles, ratings and consumer feedback are visible on the National Portal.
- After-sales cover: The 5-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract is a scheme obligation, not a sales promise.
- Recourse: De-registration and penalties give the authorities leverage over poor installers, and grievances have a 30-day resolution target.
Limitations / Drawbacks
- Registration is not a quality guarantee: It is a baseline. References, site visits to past installations and a clear written specification still matter.
- Price is not regulated: With no rate discovery, quotes for the same system can vary widely. Compare at least three registered vendors.
- Vendor ratings are only as good as the data: New vendors may have few completed projects behind their rating.
- Old terminology causes confusion: Many quotes and websites still say “MNRE-empanelled” or “DISCOM-empanelled”. Ask specifically about PM Surya Ghar portal registration.
Applications
- Residential solar: PM Surya Ghar CFA requires a vendor registered on the National Portal. This applies to individual homes and to Group Housing Societies and Resident Welfare Associations claiming CFA for common facilities.
- Commercial & industrial (C&I): C&I rooftops do not get PM Surya Ghar CFA, so portal registration does not decide eligibility. Lenders still look for bankable EPC partners, and the DISCOM must approve net metering. Commercial solar clients should check the state’s net-metering rules instead.
- Agricultural solar: PM-KUSUM has its own state-level vendor selection, separate from PM Surya Ghar registration.
Industry Standards & Regulations
- MNRE PM Surya Ghar Operational Guidelines (7 June 2024): Clause 5(c) on vendor choice, clause 7 on vendor registration, services and penalties, clause 11 on grievance redressal.
- MNRE Phase-II Rooftop Solar Programme Guidelines (historical): The tender-based empanelment system that PM Surya Ghar replaced.
- DCR and ALMM: Domestically manufactured cells and modules are mandatory for CFA; modules must be on ALMM List-I.
- CEA Connectivity Regulations: Grid interconnection standards for distributed generation.
India-Specific Context
Vendor registration is still administered state by state, alongside the DISCOM-by-DISCOM net metering process:
- Gujarat: The four DISCOMs (UGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL, DGVCL) handle PM Surya Ghar applications and net metering in their areas, and vendors appear on the National Portal for the DISCOMs they are registered with. Heaven Green Energy holds active empanelment across all four, enabling statewide service delivery.
- Other states: Each state names a nodal DISCOM or agency to register vendors for all its DISCOMs. A vendor can also register with the NPIA to work across states.
Consumers should check a vendor’s registration for their own DISCOM on the National Portal before making any payment.
Common Mistakes & Misconceptions
- Asking for “MNRE empanelment”: That is Phase-II language. Ask whether the vendor is registered on the PM Surya Ghar national portal for your DISCOM.
- Choosing the lowest quote from an unregistered vendor: Losing up to Rs 78,000 of CFA usually outweighs any upfront saving.
- Assuming a fixed government rate: There is no rate discovery under PM Surya Ghar. Prices are negotiated, so compare quotes.
- Ignoring the 5-year maintenance obligation: Registered vendors owe free repairs and maintenance for 5 years from commissioning. Get it written into the contract.
- Paying a large advance before checking registration: Confirm registration on the portal and sign a written contract first.
- Not using the portal grievance route: If a registered vendor fails you, raise a grievance on the National Portal; it has a 30-day resolution target.
Key Takeaways
- “DISCOM empanelment” is the Phase-II term. Under PM Surya Ghar, the scheme runs only through vendors registered on the National Portal.
- Vendors register with the state DISCOM or agency, or with the NPIA. There is no tendering or rate discovery.
- Choosing a registered vendor is a condition for CFA of up to Rs 78,000 (Rs 30,000/kW for the first 2 kW, Rs 18,000 for the 3rd kW).
- Registered vendors owe a 5-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract and can be de-registered or penalised for poor installations.
- Verify registration for your DISCOM on pmsuryaghar.gov.in before signing any installation contract.
- Heaven Green Energy is empanelled with all four Gujarat DISCOMs, delivering PM Surya Ghar installations with full CFA support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DISCOM empanelment?
DISCOM empanelment is the older name for a DISCOM’s approved list of rooftop solar vendors. Under the Phase-II rooftop programme, DISCOMs empanelled vendors through tenders and rate discovery. Under PM Surya Ghar, that has been replaced by vendor registration on the National Portal, and only a registered vendor can install a system that receives Central Financial Assistance.
Why is vendor registration needed?
MNRE’s PM Surya Ghar guidelines say the scheme is implemented only through vendors registered on the National Portal. A consumer must choose a registered vendor to receive CFA. Registration also makes the vendor answerable to the registering authority, which can de-register or penalise it for poor installations.
How does a vendor register under PM Surya Ghar?
A vendor can register with the state DISCOM or state agency for a state-level registration, or with the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) for national, multi-state or state registration, following the procedure MNRE prescribes. Where a state has several DISCOMs, a nodal DISCOM or agency handles registration for all of them.
What is the difference between DISCOM empanelment and portal registration?
Empanelment under Phase II involved tendering and DISCOM-discovered rates. PM Surya Ghar registration has no tendering or rate discovery. Consumers pick any registered vendor on the portal and agree the price directly with that vendor.
Is there an “MNRE-empanelled vendor” list for PM Surya Ghar?
Not in the Phase-II sense. MNRE’s guidelines refer to vendors registered on the National Portal. When an installer says “MNRE-empanelled”, ask whether it is registered on the PM Surya Ghar portal for your state and DISCOM.
What does a registered vendor have to provide?
Free repairs and maintenance for a 5-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract from commissioning, replacement or repair of non-performing components in that period, the OEM warranties on components, and rectification of any defect that stops the DISCOM commissioning the system or the CFA being released.
Can a vendor that is not registered install solar?
Yes, but the installation will not receive PM Surya Ghar CFA. An unregistered vendor can only serve customers who pay the full cost without the central subsidy.
Does registration vary by state?
State-level registration is done by the state DISCOM or agency, so a vendor registered in one state is not automatically registered in another. A vendor can also register with the NPIA for multi-state coverage.
Can registration be cancelled?
Yes. If installed systems are not as per standards, non-functional due to poor installation, or do not comply with scheme guidelines, the registering authority can de-register the vendor or levy penalties after notice.
How can I verify a vendor’s registration?
Use the vendor listing on the PM Surya Ghar National Portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) for your state and DISCOM. The portal shows vendor profiles and a vendor rating. Cross-check the vendor name exactly as written on your quote.
Where do I complain about a registered vendor?
Raise a grievance on the National Portal or through the National Call Centre. MNRE’s guidelines say grievances are routed to the state or national implementing agency and resolved within 30 days.
Related Glossary Terms
Related Resources
- PM Surya Ghar Complete Guide
- How to Choose a Solar Contractor
- Solar Installation Day-by-Day
- Residential Solar Systems
- Commercial Solar Solutions
- Solar EPC Services
- Solar Savings Calculator
- Contact Heaven Green Energy
Sources & References
- MNRE, Operational Guidelines for CFA to Residential Consumers under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, 7 June 2024 (clauses 5(c), 7(a)-(e), 11)
- MNRE, Phase-II Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme Guidelines (historical)
- CEA, Technical Standards for Connectivity of Distributed Generation