The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued new guidelines to create a uniform branding framework for rooftop solar installations implemented under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY). The memorandum, issued on July 30, 2026, aims to ensure consistent identification and visibility of rooftop solar systems installed under the national programme.
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was launched in February 2024 with the objective of enabling rooftop solar adoption among residential consumers across India. The scheme targets installation of rooftop solar systems in one crore households by the financial year 2026–27. Under the latest directive, all registered vendors, solar equipment manufacturers, distribution companies (DISCOMs), and state implementing agencies are required to follow the prescribed branding standards for projects executed under both the regular CAPEX model and Utility Led Aggregation (ULA) mode.
The MNRE memorandum specifies that the official PMSG: MBY logo must be displayed on key components of rooftop solar systems. Vendors can access and download the approved logo from the “Vendor” section of the National Portal. The standardized branding system has been introduced to improve recognition of projects supported under the government scheme and help in monitoring installations.
According to the guidelines, solar photovoltaic (PV) modules must carry a minimum of one official logo sticker for every 3 kW of installed capacity. The sticker, measuring 25 mm × 25 mm, should be placed on the lower right corner of the front aluminium frame of the module. Similarly, solar inverters and Alternating Current Distribution Boxes (ACDBs) must display a 50 mm × 50 mm logo sticker on the lower right corner of the front exterior enclosure.
The ministry has clarified that branding placement should not affect the safety, operation, or identification details of the equipment. The logo stickers must not cover original equipment manufacturer (OEM) nameplates, serial numbers, warning labels, QR codes, display panels, or ventilation openings. This requirement ensures that important technical and safety information remains clearly visible throughout the operational life of the systems.
The guidelines also define quality requirements for the branding material. Stickers used for the scheme must be manufactured using PVC or equivalent durable materials capable of withstanding outdoor conditions. The material should have resistance against weather, ultraviolet radiation, water, dust, and temperature variations to ensure long-term visibility and durability.
MNRE has placed the responsibility of implementing the branding requirements on vendors. All expenses related to printing, supplying, and installing the logo stickers must be borne by the vendors, and no additional Central Financial Assistance (CFA) or reimbursement will be provided for this purpose. Vendors will also be responsible for replacing damaged or faded stickers during the Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC) period.
The ministry has further stated that State Implementing Agencies, DISCOMs, and the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) will conduct verification and quality inspections during and after commissioning of rooftop solar systems. Any failure to comply with the prescribed branding requirements or quality standards may result in vendor de-registration or other penalties after following the due process.
The memorandum primarily focuses on operational branding requirements and does not prescribe any specific values for commercial tender conditions such as Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) or Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG). It also does not introduce any new project deadlines beyond the broader target of achieving one crore residential rooftop solar installations by FY 2026–27.
The move is expected to bring greater uniformity across rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar and strengthen transparency, identification, and quality monitoring of government-supported solar projects across India.
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