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Budget 2026: The ₹75,000 Win for Middle-Class Rooftops
Policy Desk
Feb 2, 20266 min readIf you've been sitting on the fence about solar, the Finance Minister just pushed you off it—in a good way. The new budget has effectively doubled the tax benefits for residential solar adopters.
The Big Numbers
- Old Rebate Limit: ₹30,000
- New (2026) Limit: ₹75,000 under Section 80EEB(S)
This means if you install a 3kW system in Vasant Vihar or Rajpur Road, you don't just get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy; you also slash your taxable income by a massive chunk. Ideally, this bridges the gap between the "advertised" price and the actual cash-out-of-pocket.
"It's not just about energy anymore; it's a legitimate tax-saving instrument effectively yielding 18% ROI instantly."
Net Metering Simplified
UPCL has also been mandated to approve net meters within 7 days instead of the usual 30-day drag. This is huge for Dehradun residents who often face delays due to "meter shortage" excuses.