Integration of the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) verification portal with the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana portal and stringent solar module verification processes have left rooftop solar installers with a unique challenge.

When installers try to update module details on the PM Surya Ghar portal, an error message throws up, saying the module number already exists in the system.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has mandated that starting December 1, 2024, only solar modules whose DCR credentials can be verified through the DCR verification portal will be accepted under the PM Surya Ghar program.

Installers say they cannot upload their DCR details on the PM Surya Ghar portal despite holding DCR certificates for the modules in question.

This glitch has been slowing the progress of the program, which aims for rooftop solar systems to be installed in 10 million households by 2027.

In the last six months, there has been a nearly 10 times increase in rooftop solar  registrations on the national portal, with 7,000 registrations in February, averaging 70,000-80,000 monthly registrations.

India installed 3.2 GW of rooftop solar capacity in 2024, an 86% increase from 2023, according to Mercom India Research’s Q4 & Annual 2024 India Rooftop Solar Market Report. The capacity additions were mainly driven by the record commissioning of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

However, the rise in registrations for installations is throwing up new problems for rooftop installers. Upon entering the module serial number, the portal shows an error stating, ‘Serial number already exists.’

Representational image of the error:

Installers want the nodal agency REC and the MNRE to resolve the issue to ensure the   commissioning process is smooth.

Shreya Mishra, Co-founder of SolarSquare, a rooftop solar installer, said, “The problem crops up for a random assortment of modules and is not specific to any module brand. In our conversation with MNRE, we have been told that the ministry will issue a standard operating procedure to address the issue.”

“The problem could be due to incorrect serial numbers issued by manufacturers or due to a IT a forgery of the DCR-serial number by an installer which used a non-DCR module brand,” she said.

Last year, the portal was marred  by bugs and glitches hindering the progress of PM Surya Ghar installations.

Another installer said the problem with uploading the panel and inverter serial numbers on the portal is adversely impacting subsidy requests and project submission documentation.

Ajay Yadav, Founder of Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan (REAR), said the issue has stalled many rooftop projects. “If I purchase a new module for which the distributor has given DCR credit, we get a DCR certificate but when I try to upload the module serial number to the PM Surya Ghar portal, an error is thrown up.”

He explained that customers cannot enable net metering and commission the project without crossing this stage.

Yadav added that users should be able to track and identify other users who have listed the modules incorrectly in the portal. “This would allow us to speak with the companies whose serial numbers match our modules. However, the current system does not publicize who owns the identical serial number.”

REAR had written to the nodal agency, REC, stating that nearly 15,000 projects are being stalled due to the issue with almost 2,000 installations underway daily.

According to the source, MNRE is developing a standard operating procedure to address the issues.