By providing subsidies for rooftop solar installations, the Central Government’s PMPM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a landmark initiative to promote clean energy adoption. A number of Kerala households are already participating in the program, generating their own electricity, reducing bills, and contributing to a greener future. In Kerala, however, solar prosumers (people who produce and consume electricity) are facing an unexpected hurdle – the very utility company that is supposed to assist them. Prosumers have been left frustrated, confused, and financially disadvantaged by recent billing practices by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

Where Are Things Going Wrong?

Solar producers are not being fully credited for the electricity they export to the grid, so many prosumers are noticing unjust adjustments, mismatched readings, and unclear calculations on their bills.

Complaints include:

• Inflated bills due to delayed or incorrect net meter readings.The adjustment charges are neither clearly explained nor backed up by
• transparent calculations. It is becoming increasingly common for fixed charges to be applied even when exported energy far exceeds consumption. Carry-forward units not being honoured in the way the central guidelines prescribe. In short, these practices appear

to erode the benefits of the subsidy program, making it harder for consumers to recover their investment in rooftop solar.

Why This Matters for the Subsidy Program

The Central Government’s subsidy scheme was designed to make rooftop solar affordable for middle-class households. As long as KSEB’s billing methods continue to reduce prosumers’ financial returns, it will discouraged new applicants. In Kerala, there is a reduction in trust in renewable energy projects. Despite Delhi’s policy-level push, Kerala’s clean energy transition has been delayed. Unless state-level implementation protects consumer interests, the central scheme loses its spirit. 

Possible Reasons Behind KSEB’s Approach

KSEB is the only one who can officially explain their methods, but consumer forums and industry experts suggest a few possible
explanations: 

• A growing number of people are generating their own power, which may lead to a reduction in utility revenue. For
• net metering, there is no standard billing software. Billing guidelines at the state level are ambiguous when compared to central
• rules.
• 
  

What Kerala Prosumers Can Do ?

Rooftop solar owners experiencing billing irregularities:

1. Every cycle, compare your net meter readings with your bills. Keep a log of exports and imports from your inverter app so that you can
2. compare them later. KSEB section offices should receive written complaints with supporting documentation. A consumer grievance can be escalated to the Consumer Grievance Redress Forum (CGRF) or the Electricity Ombudsman if it remains unresolved. Join
3. local renewable energy groups for updates and collective action with other prosumers.

Bodhie Solar believes renewable energy adoption should be encouraged, not discouraged. Kerala has a golden opportunity to lead the way in clean energy adoption thanks to the Central Government’s subsidy program. This opportunity may disappear if state utilities like KSEB do not
align their billing practices with the program’s intentions. Bodhie Solar stands with every prosumer who wants fair, transparent, and lawful billing. The transition to green energy is not just about technology — it’s about trust. We are MNRE-empanelled solar experts based in Trivandrum offering solar solutions for rooftops and commercial buildings throughout Kerala. From design to installation to net metering, we help households and businesses get the most out of their solar investment.

What Kerala Prosumers Can Do

If you are a rooftop solar owner facing billing irregularities:

1. 1. Check your net meter readings against your bills every cycle.
2. 2. Maintain export/import logs from your inverter app for comparison.
3. 3. File a written complaint at your KSEB section office with supporting documents.
4. 4. If unresolved, escalate to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) or Electricity Ombudsman.
5. 5. Stay connected with other prosumers via local renewable energy groups for updates and collective action.

Bodhie Solar believes that renewable energy adoption must be encouraged, not discouraged. The Central Government’s subsidy program is a golden opportunity for Kerala to lead in clean energy adoption. But unless state utilities like KSEB align their billing practices with the intent of the program, this opportunity may slip away. At Bodhie Solar, we stand with every prosumer who wants fair, transparent, and lawful billing. The transition to green energy is not just about technology — it’s about trust.

About Bodhie Solar
We are MNRE-empanelled solar experts based in Trivandrum, delivering rooftop and commercial solar solutions across Kerala. From design to installation to navigating the net metering process, we help households and businesses get the maximum benefit from their solar investment — without the hidden surprises.