Karnataka solar guide

Solar Energy in Karnataka

Understand the rooftop, group and managed-solar pathways that may apply to your connection—and what to verify with KERC and your electricity-supply company.

Reviewed September 2026Five electricity-supply companiesEligibility varies by connection

Contact the Lumifly team

Published: 19 July 2026Updated: 23 August 2026By Lumifly Solar Team

Karnataka's Managed Solar Landscape

Karnataka uses multiple regulatory routes rather than one universal VNM product. The available route depends on the current KERC orders, utility procedures, consumer category and project configuration.

Location-specific

Solar resource

Validate with project data

Open Access / KERC framework

Framework

KERC regulations

BESCOM, MESCOM, GESCOM, HESCOM, CESC

Primary DISCOMs

5 distribution utilities

Karnataka Electricity-Supply Companies

This table identifies service territories only. It does not claim that a particular managed-solar route is currently open. Confirm the applicable KERC order and utility process for the connection before relying on eligibility.

DISCOM	Region	Major Cities	Regulatory check
BESCOM	Bangalore Urban/Rural	Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapur	Verify current KERC order and utility procedure
MESCOM	Coastal Karnataka	Mangaluru, Udupi, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru	Verify current KERC order and utility procedure
GESCOM	North-East Karnataka	Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur	Verify current KERC order and utility procedure
HESCOM	North-West Karnataka	Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot	Verify current KERC order and utility procedure
CESC	Mysore Region	Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar	Verify current KERC order and utility procedure

Residential Access in Karnataka

Apartment residents may have rooftop or group pathways, but the available mechanism depends on the building's metering, ownership approvals and current utility rules.

Group Net Metering (Society Level)

A society may evaluate common-area rooftop solar or another permitted group structure, subject to RWA approval, metering and the serving utility's current process.

Individual Flat Access

Do not assume an individual flat is eligible for off-site credits. Verify the connection category, metering arrangement and current utility circulars.

Rooftop Net Metering (Individual)

Independent houses with suitable roofs can investigate rooftop solar, subject to feasibility, the current utility process and programme eligibility.

Solar Subsidy in Karnataka

Central Subsidy (PM Surya Ghar)

Potentially available for qualifying residential rooftop systems. Verify the current CFA amount, vendor pathway and utility process on the official PM Surya Ghar portal before committing.

State Incentives (KREDL)

Any additional Karnataka state support should be verified through KREDL and the serving electricity-supply company.

Managed Solar Note

Settlement and charges depend on the approved regulatory route and project agreement. Do not assume retail-tariff crediting.

Lumifly in Karnataka

Lumifly is evaluating solar network nodes in Karnataka. Register your interest to be notified when community solar capacity opens in your DISCOM area.

Bengaluru Region (BESCOM)

Lumifly is evaluating demand and suitable project opportunities in the BESCOM region.

Mangalore Region (MESCOM)

Lumifly is evaluating suitable sites and customer demand in the MESCOM region.

City-Wise Quick Links

BengaluruMysuruMangaluruHubballiBelagaviKalaburagiDavanagereShivamogga

City-specific pages coming soon. For now, use the calculator or contact us for your city's specifics.

Official sources

Regulations, programme rules and financial assistance can change. Verify the current position with the responsible authority before relying on an estimate or entering an agreement.

Last regulatory review: September 2026

How to Get Started in Karnataka

1. Check Managed Solar Eligibility

Enter your DISCOM (BESCOM/MESCOM/etc.), consumer category, and sanctioned load.

2. Calculate Solar Potential

Estimate capacity, generation, savings for Karnataka irradiance and tariffs.

3. Check Subsidy Eligibility

Central + Karnataka state incentives for rooftop solar.

Solar in Karnataka FAQs

Is community solar available in Karnataka?

Karnataka has regulatory pathways for rooftop solar, group arrangements and open access, but availability is not universal. Eligibility depends on the current KERC framework, the serving electricity-supply company, consumer category, metering arrangement and project structure.

What is the solar subsidy in Karnataka?

Eligible residential consumers may use the central PM Surya Ghar pathway for qualifying rooftop systems. Confirm the current CFA amount and any state support through the official PM Surya Ghar, MNRE, KREDL and electricity-supply-company sources before purchasing.

Which DISCOMs in Karnataka support managed solar?

BESCOM, MESCOM, GESCOM, HESCOM and CESC serve different parts of Karnataka. Whether a shared, group or open-access arrangement is available must be checked with the serving utility and against current KERC orders for the relevant consumer category.

Can apartment residents in Bengaluru get solar?

Apartment projects may be able to use common-area rooftop or other group arrangements, depending on the connection and current utility rules. Do not assume that an individual flat can receive off-site solar credits; verify the applicable KERC order and utility process first.

What is the managed solar credit rate in Karnataka?

There is no single consumer-facing managed-solar credit rate that should be assumed across Karnataka. Settlement depends on the applicable regulatory route, tariff order, charges, utility process and project agreement.

Does Lumifly have solar farms in Karnataka?

Lumifly is evaluating solar network nodes in Karnataka, particularly around Bengaluru (BESCOM) and Mangalore (MESCOM) regions. Register interest to be notified when capacity opens.

View all FAQs