Gujarat consistently leads India in solar implementation quality. The state’s four DISCOMs have invested in online application systems, defined timelines, and customer-facing portals that make the rooftop solar process more predictable than most other states. Gujarat was also the first large state to implement Surya Gujarat as a standalone state subsidy scheme alongside the central PM Surya Ghar programme.
GERC Net Metering Order
The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has issued comprehensive net metering regulations covering residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. Gujarat’s net metering framework is widely considered one of the clearest in India.
Key provisions:
- Residential consumers can install net-metered solar up to their sanctioned load
- Commercial consumers can access net metering up to 1 MW
- Export credits are applied at the DISCOM’s APPC — approximately Rs. 3.40 to Rs. 3.80 per unit depending on the DISCOM
- Annual settlement: credits accumulate across billing months and are reconciled annually (surplus paid at APPC or carried forward)
Group Net Metering: GERC explicitly provides for Group Net Metering, allowing a solar installation on a common rooftop (such as a housing society terrace) to distribute generation credits across multiple individual electricity connections in the same consumer group. This mechanism enables apartment societies to collectively benefit from a single rooftop solar installation.
Four DISCOMs: Territory and Process
UGVCL (Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited)
Territory: North Gujarat — Ahmedabad (partial rural), Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Aravalli districts.
Online portal: UGVCL consumer portal for rooftop solar applications.
Note: Gandhinagar area has high residential solar density; transformer capacity checks are relevant here.
MGVCL (Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited)
Territory: Central Gujarat — Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahals, Dahod, Chhota Udaipur districts.
Online portal: MGVCL consumer services portal.
Note: Vadodara industrial corridor has significant commercial-industrial rooftop demand alongside residential.
PGVCL (Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited)
Territory: West Gujarat and Saurashtra — Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Morbi, Kutch (Bhuj) districts.
Online portal: PGVCL’s dedicated solar application section.
Note: Kutch district has some of India’s highest solar irradiance. Rajkot has a large SME base with significant commercial rooftop potential.
DGVCL (Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited)
Territory: South Gujarat — Surat, Bharuch, Narmada, Vadodara (partial), Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Dang districts.
Online portal: DGVCL consumer portal.
Note: Surat’s diamond and textile industries drive commercial-industrial rooftop solar demand. DGVCL’s Surat urban network has experienced transformer saturation in some industrial areas.
Net Metering Limits
| Consumer Category | Net Metering Limit | Export Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (LT) | Up to sanctioned load | DISCOM APPC |
| Commercial (LT) | Up to 1 MW | DISCOM APPC |
| Industrial (HT) | Up to 1 MW | DISCOM APPC |
| Housing Society (Group NM) | Up to total group sanctioned load | DISCOM APPC |
Surya Gujarat Scheme
The Surya Gujarat scheme is a Gujarat state government subsidy that adds to the central PM Surya Ghar central financial assistance. It is administered through GEDA (Gujarat Energy Development Agency) and implemented via the state DISCOMs.
How it works:
- Eligible residential consumers applying through PM Surya Ghar also receive state assistance under Surya Gujarat
- The state amount is in addition to the central Rs. 78,000 maximum CFA
- Disbursement channels through the DISCOM or GEDA depending on the current scheme structure
Combined subsidy example (illustrative, verify current amounts with GEDA):
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| PM Surya Ghar CFA (3 kW) | Rs. 78,000 |
| Surya Gujarat state top-up (est.) | Rs. 10,000–20,000 |
| Estimated total subsidy | Rs. 88,000–98,000 |
State subsidy amounts are revised annually. Always verify with GEDA before quoting to customers.
Group Net Metering in Gujarat
Gujarat’s Group Net Metering framework is one of the most clearly defined in India. Key features:
Who can use it: A group of consumers with a common metered connection point — housing societies, apartment complexes, commercial complexes with multiple tenants.
How credits are distributed: The total generation from the common rooftop installation is credited proportionally across the member electricity accounts based on pre-agreed distribution ratios (set in the agreement with the DISCOM).
Size limits: The group system size is typically limited to the aggregate sanctioned load of all member connections.
Application process: The housing society (or group representative) applies to the DISCOM as a group, with a list of all participating consumer account numbers and the agreed credit distribution ratios.
GUVNL Tenders and Commercial Rooftop
GUVNL (Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited) runs Gujarat’s power procurement, including rooftop solar tenders for government buildings and commercial rooftop capacity. For installers working on projects above standard net metering thresholds:
- GUVNL issues periodic tenders for rooftop solar capacity (in MW) under long-term PPAs
- State government buildings, institutions, and hospitals are tendered separately
- Open access regulations for large commercial consumers who want to source power from dedicated solar projects
Commercial Rooftop Process
For commercial rooftop installations above what residential consumers install, the process is similar but involves:
- Higher application fee tiers
- Three-phase inverter specifications (typically required for systems above 10–15 kW)
- Commercial consumer-specific tariff category documentation
- Potential requirement for energy audit documentation for large HT connections
Solar proposals that clearly present commercial ROI analysis — including GST input credit on system cost, accelerated depreciation for businesses — are particularly effective in Gujarat’s SME-heavy commercial landscape.
Pro Tip: Annual Settlement Is a Strong Selling Point in Gujarat
Gujarat’s annual settlement period means that surplus summer generation (very high in Kutch, Saurashtra) accumulates as credits against winter consumption. This banking benefit can significantly improve the economics vs a monthly-settlement state. When producing solar software proposals for Gujarat customers, show the annual bill savings rather than month-by-month to capture the full banking benefit.
Design Gujarat Rooftop Projects with Four-DISCOM Compliance in Mind
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Surya Gujarat scheme?
A state government subsidy administered through GEDA that adds to the central PM Surya Ghar CFA for eligible residential consumers. The state top-up amount varies annually — verify with GEDA before quoting.
Which DISCOMs operate in Gujarat?
UGVCL (North), MGVCL (Central), PGVCL (West/Saurashtra), DGVCL (South). Check your electricity bill for your DISCOM.
What is Group Net Metering?
A mechanism allowing a common rooftop solar system to distribute generation credits across multiple electricity connections in the same consumer group. Housing societies are the typical use case. GERC has a clear Group Net Metering framework.
What is the export rate?
Approximately Rs. 3.40–3.80 per unit (DISCOM APPC, set annually by GERC). Annual settlement applies.
