PM Surya Ghar 5-Year Free Maintenance: What Solar Vendors Must Repair, Replace and Service
9 October 2026 | Wattscore Technical and Consumer Guide. A PM Surya Ghar rooftop-solar installation is not merely a one-time equipment sale. Registered vendors under the residential central financial assistance framework have a five-year comprehensive maintenance obligation, separate from the manufacturer's product warranty.
What Does MNRE Require?
MNRE's Operational Guidelines for the Central Financial Assistance to Residential Consumers dated 7 June 2024, section 7(d), require registered vendors to provide repair and maintenance without additional charge during a five-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC), including addressing non-performing or underperforming components. Applicable OEM warranties must also be given to the consumer.
When Does the Five-Year Period Start?
The period begins on commissioning, not necessarily the day panels are installed. For example, a system installed 10 September 2026 but commissioned 25 September 2026 would begin its five-year CMC on 25 September 2026. Preserve the commissioning record.
What Is Covered?
The vendor must arrange covered repair and maintenance of the solar plant. Fault diagnosis may involve the inverter, modules, connections, wiring, electrical protection and monitoring. The actual remedy depends on the cause of failure, applicable agreement and warranties. Normal weather-related variation is not itself proof of equipment failure.
What If the Inverter Stops Working?
A covered inverter fault should be diagnosed and handled through the vendor's CMC service process, including appropriate coordination with the inverter OEM. The vendor service obligation and manufacturer's product warranty are related but distinct. Consumers should not automatically be left to navigate a manufacturer claim without vendor assistance.
What If a Solar Panel Underperforms?
Shading, dust, temperature, loose connections, module faults and monitoring errors can all affect readings. Technicians should investigate before concluding a module is defective. A module performance warranty applies according to its documented test and claim terms.
Is Solar Panel Cleaning Free for Five Years?
The model consumer–vendor agreement provides for comprehensive O&M and consumer education on cleaning. It is not prudent to interpret this as a universal promise of unlimited on-demand cleaning visits. Clarify in writing who performs routine cleaning, scheduled inspection frequency, response procedures, and consumer obligations for access and water.
CMC vs AMC vs OEM Warranty
CMC is the applicable mandatory five-year vendor maintenance commitment under the scheme. AMC is generally a separately agreed paid annual maintenance arrangement. OEM product warranty concerns specified components, while a performance warranty concerns defined performance claims. These are not interchangeable.
Does a 25-Year Panel Warranty Mean 25 Years of Free EPC Service?
No. A long-term solar-module performance warranty does not automatically include free cleaning, technician visits, inverter repairs, cable replacements or repairs caused by external damage for 25 years. Check the precise OEM warranty documents and the separate five-year vendor CMC.
Does the Scheme Guarantee Fixed Generation?
No. Solar output depends on sunlight, shading, temperature and plant condition. The MNRE model agreement includes technical performance-ratio provisions, but these should not be confused with a guarantee of constant generation every hour or month.
What If the Monitoring App Shows Zero?
A Wi-Fi, data logger or cloud interruption may prevent app updates while the plant continues generating. A technician should distinguish communications failure from inverter shutdown or an electrical fault.
Consumer Responsibilities
Consumers should provide safe access, report faults promptly, follow manufacturer instructions, preserve documents and avoid unauthorised electrical modifications. Suspected shock, fire or cable hazards require a competent professional.
If the Vendor Does Not Respond
Record the complaint date, system ID, fault description, screenshots, photographs and communications. Contact the registered vendor through documented channels and escalate through the available official scheme or DISCOM grievance mechanism when necessary. Complaint outcomes depend on evidence and procedure.
What Should Be Handed Over?
Keep commissioning records, module and inverter details, OEM warranty certificates, relevant electrical drawings, monitoring credentials, vendor service contacts, CMC commencement date and maintenance instructions.
The EPC Business Reality
A five-year service commitment creates ongoing costs. For illustration, 1,000 active systems requiring two annual visits at ₹500 direct cost per visit would cost ₹10 lakh annually before spares, overheads and major repairs. This is an illustrative business calculation, not an industry benchmark. EPCs should budget for long-term service when pricing installations.
How Vendors Can Make Service Sustainable
Maintain accurate customer and serial-number records, commissioning dates, remote monitoring, ticket tracking, technician allocation and OEM warranty coordination. Better installation quality and preventive diagnostics can reduce future faults and disputes.
What Happens After Five Years?
Once the mandatory CMC period ends, applicable OEM warranties may continue according to their terms. A homeowner may choose a separately priced AMC, but should inspect its scope, exclusions, response times and fees.
Key Takeaways
The applicable PM Surya Ghar residential CFA framework requires five years of comprehensive vendor maintenance from commissioning. Covered repair and maintenance and OEM warranties are separate obligations. A 25-year module warranty does not mean 25 years of free EPC maintenance. Consumers should retain handover records and vendors should plan for lifecycle service costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is five-year maintenance compulsory?
Yes, for vendors under the applicable residential CFA framework.
When does the period start?
At commissioning.
Must the vendor repair a faulty inverter?
The vendor must fulfil applicable CMC obligations, including addressing covered component faults.
Is unlimited panel cleaning included?
Do not assume unlimited visits; confirm routine-cleaning and service arrangements in the agreement.
Does a 25-year module warranty mean 25 years of free service?
No.
What if my vendor stops responding?
Document the complaint and use the vendor's and applicable official grievance channels.
Further Reading and Sources
MNRE Operational Guidelines for CFA to Residential Consumers, 7 June 2024, section 7(d) and model consumer-vendor agreement. Related Wattscore articles: rooftop earthing https://www.wattscore.com/post/pm-surya-ghar-solar-earthing-guide-earth-pits-resistance ; solar performance https://www.wattscore.com/post/solar-plant-performance-health-check-rajasthan ; monitoring https://www.wattscore.com/post/solar-inverter-data-monitoring-cybersecurity-pm-surya-ghar .
Wattscore Perspective
Rooftop solar should be sold as a long-term energy asset. Wattscore helps Rajasthan consumers understand system quality, performance diagnostics, monitoring and O&M responsibilities.