In the sprawling urban landscapes of Indian metros, Housing Societies are often viewed as the dream template for city living. But these mini cities within cities have a silent drain on their treasury: the common area electricity bill. Between the elevators that never stop, the water pumps that fight gravity, and the streetlights that guard the night, a typical Housing society in Delhi can consume anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 units of electricity per month (depending on the number and size of homes in the society).
(Note: An electrified household in Delhi consumes about 250-270 units or kWh of electricity per month on average. This is more than in other cities – Chandigarh: 208 units; Ahmedabad: 160 units; and Mumbai: 110 units – mostly due to high ownership of air-conditioners and appliances, as well as tariff subsidies in Delhi.)
Across India, there are approximately 200,000 housing societies (National Cooperative Database, 2024). These societies house millions of households and often pay between ₹10 to 30 lakh every year just for electricity that comes under the Common Area Maintenance Charges (Lifts, common lights, EV charging points, security lights, etc.).
Which makes solar power much more than a symbolic “green” gesture for RWAs. Going solar is easily a sound financial infrastructure decision that RWAs and GHS office bearers must seriously consider.
By installing a Rooftop Solar (RTS) system, an RWA can reduce its common area electricity expenses by 70% to 90%. This effectively converts a high recurring maintenance cost into a fixed, long-term asset that provides free energy for 25 years.
To show the impact of solar, we did a mock case study to show how a high-rise multi-storied colony can use and benefit from rooftop solar installation.
We took the standard monthly bill of an apartment complex in IP Extension, New Delhi.
As per our calculations, the apartment complex could benefit from a Solar plant of 20.23 kWp capacity. These would be in the form of 34 solar modules and would generate 27,340 kWh (units) every year.
Considering the electricity bill for the month of Oct’ 2025, we could show an immediate reduction in the bill.
The RWA paid ₹ 38,320, and with the suggested solar plant, the bill could go down to ₹ 12,923 – a clear reduction of ₹ 25,397. With Delhi-only GBI (generation-based incentives), the society could pocket an additional ₹ 5,458 every month!
Apart from the obvious long-term financial savings, there are two added incentives for RWAs and GHSs to go solar.
Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the financial barriers have crumbled:
Delhi’s policy is particularly aggressive with its GBI. For RWAs, the government offers ₹2 per unit (kWh) of solar energy generated. This is “extra” income that directly offsets the remaining grid costs or goes into the society’s corpus fund.
Many RWAs hesitate due to the upfront “Capex” (Capital Expenditure). However, banks like have introduced specialized solar loans offering up to 90% of the project cost as a loan. Often linked to the repo rate, these are some of the lowest interest personal/professional loans available (starting as low as 5.75% to 9% depending on the scheme).
The Result: The society pays the EMI using the money they would have paid to the DISCOM. It’s essentially a “self-paying” asset.
Let’s go back to the IP Extension case study we discussed earlier:
The apartment solar plant of 20.23 kWp:
This still does not factor in ₹ 5,458 that the society will earn from GBI every month!
Under the BOI’s Star Rooftop Solar Panel Finance Loan, RWAs and GHSs have the following benefits:
Source: https://bankofindia.bank.in/personal-loan/star-rooftop-solar-panel-finance-loan
Net Metering: Net metering is the backbone of solar economics. It uses a bi-directional meter that tracks energy taken from the grid vs. energy fed back. You do not need expensive physical batteries. Net Metering uses a bi-directional meter to track solar energy exported to the grid during the day and grid energy imported at night. You only pay for the “net” difference.
Maximizing Roof Utility: Elevated Structures: The most common concern is: “Where will the residents dry clothes or walk?” The answer is Elevated Structures. Instead of mounting panels flat on the roof, they are placed on 8–10 foot high iron pillars. This creates a “Solar Rooftop Canopy,” keeping the floor space 100% usable for residents while providing shade.
Maintenance: The 5-Year Guarantee: The Government of India mandates that the empanelled vendor provide 5 years of comprehensive maintenance (AMC). This ensures that the RWA isn’t left in the lurch. However, societies should ensure a basic cleaning schedule (fortnightly) is maintained to prevent “soiling loss” (dust blocking the sun).
Documentation Checklist for Bank Loans & Net Metering: To move from “thinking” to “installing,” the RWA committee should have these ready:
Going solar for an RWA isn’t just about installing panels. It’s a 25-year infrastructure decision that needs careful planning, sound engineering, regulatory clarity, and long-term support. This is where Horizon steps in, not as a supplier, but as a solar partner for your society.
If your society is considering ways to reduce electricity costs and plan for the long term, solar is a conversation worth having.
Reach out to Horizon to understand what going solar could look like for your society. Call us at +91 9811121157 | 84482 95965
A single discussion today could unlock decades of savings for your community.
