Chhattisgarh Becomes First State in India to Implement Virtual Net Metering Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh has added a major milestone to its renewable energy journey by becoming the first state in India to successfully implement Virtual Net Metering (VNM) in a residential society under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The pioneering project has been commissioned in Parthific Pacific Residential Society, Raipur, making the city the first in the country to operationalize the VNM system for apartments.

Under this innovative model, multiple apartments are benefiting from a single rooftop solar installation, overcoming one of the biggest challenges faced by flat owners in residential societies—limited access to individual rooftop space for solar panels.

Virtual Net Metering has emerged as a safe, efficient, and scalable solution for residential societies and apartments. The system uses bi-directional meters for the solar plant and individual meters for participating consumers, enabling electricity credits to be fairly distributed among families based on pre-decided shares.

This approach removes the complexity of individual rooftop installations while ensuring equitable benefits for all participating residents.

Project Details

• Solar Plant Capacity: 60 kW rooftop solar installation

• Location: Parthific Pacific Residential Society, Raipur

• Beneficiaries: Around 20 families

• Implementation Model: Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) model

• Total Project Cost: Approximately ₹24 lakh

• Per Family Investment: ₹1.20 lakh

• Central Government Subsidy: ₹78,000 per family

• State Government Subsidy: ₹30,000 per family

The families collectively invested their own funds and fully own the solar plant from day one. Each household is expected to receive bill credits of up to 300 units, resulting in an estimated annual saving of ₹31,500 per family through Virtual Net Metering.

Beneficiaries praised the initiative of Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), stating that apartment residents earlier found it difficult to adopt rooftop solar solutions individually. VNM has now made solar energy accessible, affordable, and practical for urban housing societies.

CSPDCL officials stated that following the successful implementation of this pilot project, the utility will now expand Virtual Net Metering to more apartment complexes and residential societies across the state, strengthening Chhattisgarh’s clean energy ecosystem.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the project represents a significant step towards advancing renewable energy and sets a benchmark for other states to follow.

“This initiative will connect more people with solar energy and contribute meaningfully to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a clean and green India,” he said.

Chairman (Distribution & Generation), IAS Dr. Rohit Yadav, highlighted the importance of the initiative:

“Virtual Net Metering is a viable and game-changing solution for urban consumers. It significantly reduces electricity bills and is one of the best ways to adopt clean and green energy.”