Installing solar for housing society in Pune can help reduce electricity expenses for common facilities such as lifts, water pumps, parking areas, security systems and other shared services. Apartment societies can use their available rooftop space for a common solar system, while Maharashtra’s regulations also provide mechanisms that can allow eligible residential consumers in multi-storied buildings to participate through virtual net metering.
Why Should Housing Societies Consider Solar?
A housing society often has significant common-area electricity consumption. A rooftop solar system can generate electricity during daylight hours and help offset eligible consumption.
Common applications include:
- Lifts and elevators
- Water pumps
- Common-area lighting
- Security and CCTV systems
- Clubhouse facilities
- Parking-area lighting
- EV charging infrastructure
A properly planned system can turn otherwise unused rooftop space into a source of renewable electricity for the society.
Solar Panel for Apartment: Can Apartments Use the Rooftop?
Individual apartments usually have limited private roof space, particularly in high-rise buildings. However, residents can participate in a society-level solar project where the available common rooftop is used for generation.
Maharashtra’s 2024 MERC amendment allows multiple residential consumers in a multi-storied building within a housing society or apartment owners’ association to come together and establish a renewable-energy system at a common location under a Virtual Net Metering arrangement, subject to the applicable conditions.
Society Rooftop Solar Pune: How to Get Approval
Before installing a solar system, the society should establish an internal approval process and confirm the project’s technical and financial feasibility.
1. Discuss the Project With Society Members
Place the proposal before the managing committee and members. Explain the expected system size, estimated project cost, rooftop requirements and how the generated electricity will be used.
2. Review the Society's Electricity Consumption
Collect recent electricity bills for common connections. This helps determine the approximate solar capacity required.
3. Conduct a Rooftop Assessment
A solar installer should assess:
- Available shadow-free roof area
- Roof condition
- Structural suitability
- Existing electrical infrastructure
- Inverter and panel placement
- Cable routing and safety requirements
4. Complete the Required Electricity-Connection Process
For an MSEDCL-connected property, the applicable rooftop renewable-energy application and metering process must be followed. MSEDCL provides application forms and procedures for rooftop renewable-energy systems.
Common Area Solar System and Subsidy
Under the PM Surya Ghar programme, Group Housing Societies and RWAs can receive central financial assistance for eligible rooftop solar systems serving common facilities, including EV charging, subject to the scheme’s applicable limits and conditions. MSEDCL currently lists assistance of ₹18,000 per kW for eligible common facilities up to the prescribed capacity.
The applicable subsidy should always be verified at the time of application because programme rules and implementation procedures can change.
Group Net Metering Maharashtra: What About Individual Flats?
For eligible residential consumers in multi-storied buildings, Maharashtra’s current regulations provide for Virtual Net Metering. Under this arrangement, electricity generated by a renewable-energy system can be adjusted against the electricity service connections of participating residential consumers within the same housing society or apartment owners’ association, subject to regulatory conditions.
MSEDCL also provides an online application route specifically for Virtual Net Metering.
Plan Solar for Your Pune Housing Society
Before approving a project, compare your society’s electricity consumption, rooftop capacity, estimated generation, project cost and applicable subsidy or metering arrangement.
SolarOnnn can help your housing society assess its rooftop solar requirements and plan an installation based on the property’s electricity needs.
Get your housing society’s rooftop solar requirements assessed by SolarOnnn today.
