The Roshan Gharana Solar Scheme gives free solar energy systems to BISP-registered households in Punjab consuming under 100 units of electricity per month — the government installs and owns the system while the beneficiary uses the power without any cost.
Understand the Roshan Gharana Scheme Benefits
The CM Punjab Roshan Gharana Solar Panel Scheme provides free or heavily subsidised solar panel systems to low-income households in Punjab. The scheme targets families consuming under 100 units of electricity per month — households with very low grid electricity usage who would benefit most from a small solar system covering their basic lighting and fan loads.
System size varies by phase — typically 200W to 1 kW residential systems. For a household consuming under 100 units monthly, a 500W solar system can offset most or all of the electricity bill, effectively eliminating the electricity cost burden. The system is provided with installation included.
Check current scheme status at energy.punjab.gov.pk or the Punjab CM's official portal. The scheme runs in phases and specific districts are prioritised in different phases — rural and semi-urban areas of Punjab typically get preference.
Verify Income and Consumption Eligibility
Core eligibility for Roshan Gharana:
- Punjab domicile, valid CNIC
- Monthly electricity consumption under 100 units (check your last 3 bills — the DISCO portal shows this; your meter readings tell the same story)
- BISP-registered household OR below the poverty line as assessed by the Ehsaas Programme (use your 8171 status as the primary check)
- Own house or permanent residence (not a temporary renter who might relocate)
- No previous solar system under any government scheme
The consumption requirement is firm — if your bills show 150 units/month but you believe your actual usage is lower, have your meter read by your DISCO and settle any estimated billing discrepancy first.
| Criterion | Requirement | How Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly electricity usage | 100 units or below per month | Last 6 bills — must all be ≤100 units |
| BISP registration | Active BISP beneficiary | 8171.bisp.gov.pk check |
| Property | Own or rent — both eligible | Tenants need landlord NOC |
| DISCO connection | Active registered consumer | Existing consumer number required |
| Existing solar | No existing solar connection | DISCO verifies meter type |
| Income threshold | Low-income (NSER-verified) | Verified through BISP/NSER automatically |
Register Through BISP/Ehsaas or Provincial Energy Department
Roshan Gharana registrations happen through two channels depending on your location and the current distribution phase:
BISP/Ehsaas integration: Eligible BISP households in targeted districts may be automatically shortlisted. Check your 8171 status at 8171.bisp.gov.pk — some phases add Roshan Gharana as a benefit category for active BISP beneficiaries without requiring a separate application.
Punjab Energy Department portal: For non-BISP households that still qualify on income grounds, apply at energy.punjab.gov.pk during open registration windows. Fill in your CNIC, address, electricity consumer number, and last 3 months' bills information. Submit and keep the reference number.
Installation Day — What to Expect
Approved beneficiaries are contacted for an installation appointment. A government-designated installation team visits with the complete solar kit — panels, inverter, battery (if included), mounting hardware, and wiring. Installation typically takes 3–5 hours for a standard household.
Be present for the installation. The team installs panels on your roof or external wall, connects the inverter to your main board, and tests the system before leaving. They provide basic operating instructions — how to check charge status, what to do if the inverter shows a fault code, and the warranty period.
After installation, you continue to receive DISCO electricity for overnight use or cloudy days — the solar system supplements the grid rather than fully replacing it. Your DISCO bill reduces proportionally to solar generation.
Application and Eligibility Problems
Estimated billing can inflate your apparent consumption. Get an actual meter reading from your DISCO and request a bill correction. Once accurate bills show under 100 units for 3 months, you'll meet the consumption criterion.
Register with BISP/Ehsaas first — visit the nearest BISP registration desk with your CNIC. Once registered and poverty score assessed, you qualify for BISP-linked schemes including Roshan Gharana.
Contact the Punjab Energy Department helpline with your application reference number. Installation scheduling can slip due to logistics — a phone follow-up usually accelerates the rescheduling.
First check whether the inverter is switched on and the battery has initial charge. If panels are connected but display shows no generation during daylight, call the installation team — there may be a wiring issue that needs correction under warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 500W system generates approximately 2–2.5 kWh (units) per day in Punjab's average sunshine conditions — enough for several hours of fan and LED lighting use. In summer with more sun hours, generation can reach 3 kWh/day.
Some phases include a battery (for off-grid night use); others provide only daytime solar without storage. Check the current phase specifications at energy.punjab.gov.pk. Battery-included systems cost the government significantly more and have smaller distribution numbers.
The scheme prefers permanent residents with stability of tenure. Long-term tenants with registered rent agreements are sometimes accepted. The concern is that the solar system is attached to the property — a tenant who moves leaves behind government-funded equipment.
Warranty terms vary by phase and procurement batch. Typically: 25-year performance warranty on panels, 5–10 year warranty on inverter, 2 years on battery if included. Warranty documentation is provided at installation.
Yes — you can add your own panels to an existing solar installation. Contact a certified solar installer for a system expansion assessment. DISCO net metering can be applied for if the combined system exceeds your consumption.