Guide · Bengaluru
Rooftop solar for apartments in Bangalore: what's actually possible
If you live in a Bangalore apartment, you can't just put panels on the roof — the terrace is shared. Here's how apartment solar really works, honestly, without the sales pitch.
Why a single flat can't install alone
Rooftop solar needs roof rights. In a multi-storey building the terrace is common property owned collectively by all flat owners — so an individual flat, whether you're on the 2nd floor or the 24th, can't claim it for its own panels. The workable path is a society-wide system the RWA approves, usually at a general body meeting.
What a society system actually powers
A common-area system offsets the load the society pays for collectively — lifts, water pumps, corridor and basement lighting, the STP. The savings land in lower common-area maintenance electricity bills, which is why the economics are assessed at the society level, not per flat.
What you can do as a resident
Raise it with your managing committee, get a society-wide quote from a MNRE-empanelled installer who does apartment projects, and take it to the general body. RainbowHome can shortlist installers in your area who handle society systems.
Subsidy & net metering — what to verify
The headline government subsidy* of up to ₹78,000 is for an individualhome's rooftop system. Group housing societies may qualify for a separate subsidy on common-area solar under the central scheme, and common-area systems are typically net-metered against the society's BESCOM connection. Both the subsidy terms and the net-metering rules for societies change over time — your installer and BESCOM are the right source for what applies to your building today.
* Government subsidies can change. Review the latest regulations on the official government portal before committing to a rooftop solar installation.
The scheme is actively funded. PIB reports ₹9,281 crore disbursed across ~57.9 lakh applications as of 2025-07 (source ). Last verified 2026-05-20.
Live in an independent house or villa?
Then it's simpler — you own your roof, install directly, and claim the individual subsidy. See your numbers in about a minute.
FAQ
Can I install solar panels on my apartment's roof myself?
Usually no. In a multi-storey apartment the terrace is common property, so a single flat can't claim it for its own panels — whichever floor you're on. The workable route is a society-wide system that the RWA / owners' association approves, typically at a general body meeting.
What does a society-wide (common-area) solar system power?
It offsets the building's common load first — lifts, water pumps, corridor and basement lighting, the STP. That's the load the society pays for collectively, so the savings show up in lower common-area maintenance electricity bills.
Is there a government subsidy for apartment/society solar?
The headline ₹78,000 central subsidy is for an individual home's rooftop system. Group housing societies may be eligible for a separate subsidy on common-area solar under the central scheme, but the amount and rules change — confirm the current terms with your DISCOM and a MNRE-empanelled installer before budgeting.
How does net metering work for a Bangalore apartment?
Common-area solar is typically net-metered against the society's common connection through BESCOM. Rules for group/virtual net metering evolve, so your installer should confirm what applies to your society's connection today.
I live in an independent house or villa — is it simpler?
Yes. If you own your roof you can install directly and claim the individual subsidy. Run the free estimate for figures based on your own home.