The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has added a new approval step for rooftop solar projects under the PM Surya Ghar Portal. From the agreement upload stage, consumers must review and approve the Vendor-Consumer Agreement before the vendor can submit installation details.
The change gives consumers a clear chance to check the project cost, equipment details and other terms before work moves ahead. It also creates a digital record of the approval on the portal.
How the new rooftop solar approval process works
Under the revised process, the vendor must upload the Vendor-Consumer Agreement through the My Applications module on the PM Surya Ghar Portal. Once the document is uploaded, the application will show the status: “Agreement sent to Consumer for Confirmation.”
The consumer will then receive an SMS, email and portal notification. After signing in, the consumer can read the agreement and choose to approve or reject it.
This means the vendor cannot move to the installation upload stage until the consumer completes this step. The portal will keep the Upload Installation option disabled while the agreement awaits approval.
Total project cost must match the quotation
One of the main changes is the mandatory entry of the full rooftop solar system cost when the agreement is uploaded. This amount must include:
- The cost of the solar system
- Taxes
- Installation charges
- Other charges linked to the project
The amount entered by the vendor must match the quotation submitted during the feasibility stage, where that quotation applies. This includes cases linked to loan applications and rooftop solar systems with a capacity above 10 kW.
For consumers, this makes the price easier to check. A difference between the quotation and the agreement may need clarification before approval. Nobody wants the final bill to arrive with a surprise guest.
What happens if the consumer rejects the agreement?
If the consumer finds an error or disagrees with a term, they can reject the agreement through the portal. The vendor will be able to view the consumer’s remarks.
The vendor can then correct the document and upload it again. The consumer must review the updated version and approve it before the installation details can be submitted.
Consumers should use the remarks section to point out clear issues, such as a wrong system size, incorrect equipment brand, missing charges or a price that does not match the quotation.
Changes after approval will trigger a fresh review
The approval applies to the version of the agreement that the consumer reviewed. If the vendor edits the document after approval, the earlier approval will become invalid.
The revised agreement must then go through the consumer approval process again. This rule helps ensure that a vendor cannot make changes after receiving approval without giving the consumer another chance to review them.
Details consumers should check before approval
Before selecting approve, consumers should compare the agreement with the quotation and the details shown on the portal. Key points to check include:
- Total project cost, including taxes and other charges
- Solar system capacity
- Solar panel and inverter brands
- Installation and service terms
- Loan-related details, where applicable
- Any other promise made in the quotation
The component brands and prices in the agreement should match the information submitted on the portal and the equipment used at the site. Vendors have been asked to keep these details accurate and consistent.
What this means for vendors
Vendors must upload the correct agreement through the required portal module and wait for consumer approval. They cannot upload installation details before approval.
Vendors should also check every figure and product detail before submitting the document. A wrong price or component name can lead to rejection, a new upload and a delay in the project process.
For consumers, the main action is simple: watch for the portal alert, SMS or email, then review the agreement before selecting approve or reject. Keep the quotation nearby, since it will help you compare the cost and system details line by line.
