You may pay the electricity bill without owning the roof, balcony, wiring or meter connection. Before designing a system, determine what the lease, landlord, housing society/building rules and DISCOM permit.
Choose the path by control level
| Situation | Best route to examine | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Written landlord approval for permanent rooftop | Compliant grid-connected system | Who owns it at lease end? |
| Only reversible equipment allowed | Purpose-built portable/off-grid solution | Unsafe improvised wiring |
| No permission / unclear building rights | Efficiency measures or landlord-funded project | Lease and property dispute |
Write the exit agreement before paying
If the tenant funds a permanent system, state who owns the equipment, who receives subsidy/bill benefit, who maintains it, whether it can be removed, who repairs roof penetrations, and whether the landlord buys it at an agreed value if the tenancy ends.
Portable does not mean plug-anywhere
Do not back-feed household wiring or improvise a grid connection. Use equipment intended for the installation method and follow current electrical-safety requirements. Check relevant guidance from MNRE and the Central Electricity Authority.
Match payback to tenancy length
Calculate annual bill saving conservatively, then compare it with your expected remaining tenancy. A seven-year payback makes little sense for a renter likely to move in 18 months unless the system is genuinely portable and reusable.
Do not assume PM Surya Ghar eligibility follows the bill payer
Scheme eligibility and rooftop/consumer requirements must be checked on the live official portal. A tenant should not assume that paying the utility bill alone gives the right to claim or install on someone else’s property.
Decision rule: choose a solar option only when permission, electrical safety, ownership and end-of-tenancy economics are all clear in writing.