Direct answer: A DCR solar panel is made in India with Indian-made cells; a non-DCR panel uses imported cells. If you want the PM Surya Ghar subsidy of up to ₹78,000, every panel on your roof must be DCR. If you skip the subsidy, non-DCR panels are allowed for homes. For shops, offices and factories in Karnataka, the choice also sets your export rate (₹3.11 vs ₹2.34 per unit under KERC’s 2026 order) and decides whether you must commission by 31 December 2026. Call / WhatsApp +91 7975009078
DCR vs non-DCR at a glance
| DCR panels | Non-DCR panels | |
|---|---|---|
| Solar cells | Made in India | Imported |
| PM Surya Ghar subsidy (homes) | Eligible, up to ₹78,000 | Not eligible |
| Average module price used by KERC (April 2026, excl. GST) | ₹22.3 per Wp | ₹13.8 per Wp |
| KERC benchmark project cost, non-domestic systems | ₹36,015 per kW | ₹27,090 per kW |
| KERC export rate, non-domestic net metering 1–1,000 kW | ₹3.11 per unit | ₹2.34 per unit |
| Net-metered businesses commissioning after 31 Dec 2026 | Meets ALMM List-II cell rule | Exemption window closes |
For homes: the subsidy decides it
MNRE’s PM Surya Ghar guidelines say modules must be “domestically manufactured modules manufactured from domestically manufactured cells”, and that “use of non-DCR modules in any form in the installation shall render the installation ineligible” for the subsidy. One non-DCR panel is enough to lose the full amount.
- Taking the subsidy: DCR only. The subsidy is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW, capped at ₹78,000
- Giving it up: the guidelines let homes that forgo the subsidy (“Give It Up”) use non-DCR panels. MNRE has clarified that such net-metered homes are exempt from ALMM List-II for cells till 31 March 2027, but only if they apply through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal
- Export rate: for homes of 1–10 kW, KERC’s rate does not change with DCR. It is ₹3.89 per unit without subsidy, and ₹1.96 (up to 2 kW), ₹2.14 (above 2 to 3 kW) or ₹2.58 (above 3 kW) with the subsidy
For most homes of 3 kW and above, the ₹78,000 subsidy outweighs the DCR price premium. Check your own numbers in our rooftop solar cost guide, and mind the PM Surya Ghar last date.
For shops, offices and factories: two clocks
Commercial and industrial rooftops do not get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, so the question is cost, export rate and compliance.
- ALMM List-II for cells. MNRE kept List-II in force from 1 June 2026 but gave net-metering projects a limited window to commission without List-II cells till 31 December 2026 (MNRE O.M. dated 18 July 2026). After that, a net-metered project must use cells from ALMM List-II manufacturers unless the rule changes
- KERC export rate. From 25 August 2026, surplus units from DCR systems are bought at ₹3.11 per unit and from non-DCR systems at ₹2.34 per unit, for net metering from 1 to 1,000 kW. Virtual and group net metering get 75% of these rates
- Certification. The DCR rate applies only after the DISCOM inspects and certifies the modules as having DCR cells
If your factory or office can commission before 31 December 2026, non-DCR may still be an option; after that, plan for List-II cells. Read more on commercial rooftop solar and industrial rooftop solar in Karnataka.
How to check a quote
- Module make and exact model named on the quote, with DCR or non-DCR written plainly
- The manufacturer’s DCR certificate for the batch you are buying, for subsidy homes
- Module serial numbers on site matching the invoice and the documents uploaded to the portal
- Panel technology and datasheet numbers spelled out. See how to choose the best solar panels for home and monocrystalline vs polycrystalline panels
- For businesses, the planned commissioning date against 31 December 2026
- GST charged correctly, about 8.9% effective on a turnkey contract. See GST on solar panels
Get the right panels the first time
Tell us whether you want the subsidy and when you need to commission. Eltron’s itemised quote names the module, its DCR status and the route through BESCOM or GESCOM.
Call / WhatsApp +91 7975009078 | Contact Eltron Energy
FAQ: DCR and non-DCR solar panels
What is a DCR solar panel?
A DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) panel is a solar module made in India using solar cells also made in India. A non-DCR panel uses imported cells, even if the module is assembled in India.
Do I need DCR panels for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
Yes. MNRE’s guidelines make DCR modules an essential condition for the subsidy, and using non-DCR modules in any form makes the installation ineligible.
Can I use non-DCR panels on my home in Karnataka?
Yes, if you do not take the subsidy. Homes that give up the subsidy under the Give It Up option can use non-DCR panels, and MNRE has exempted such net-metered homes from ALMM List-II for cells till 31 March 2027, provided they apply through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal.
Why are DCR panels more expensive?
Indian-made cells cost more than imported cells. KERC’s August 2026 order used average module prices of Rs 22.3 per Wp for DCR modules and Rs 13.8 per Wp for non-DCR modules, excluding GST, based on April 2026 market data from JMK Research.
What export rate does BESCOM pay for DCR and non-DCR systems?
For homes of 1 to 10 kW, KERC’s rate does not depend on DCR: Rs 3.89 per unit without subsidy, or Rs 1.96 to Rs 2.58 per unit with the PM Surya Ghar subsidy. For other net-metered systems from 1 to 1,000 kW, the rate is Rs 3.11 per unit for DCR and Rs 2.34 per unit for non-DCR, with the DCR rate applying after DISCOM inspection and certification.
What changes for businesses after 31 December 2026?
MNRE’s limited window lets net-metering projects commission without using ALMM List-II solar cells until 31 December 2026. Projects commissioned after that must comply with ALMM List-II for cells unless MNRE changes the rule.
Sources
- MNRE, Guidelines for PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Central Financial Assistance to Residential Consumers (Domestic Content Requirement, Give It Up, subsidy structure)
- KERC order dated 25 August 2026, tariff for Distributed Solar PV plants from 25.08.2026 to 30.06.2029 (published on srtpv.bescom.org)
- PIB, MNRE press releases of 25 May 2026 and 18 July 2026 (ALMM List-II for solar PV cells)
- The Hindu BusinessLine, MNRE clarification on ALMM List-II exemption for Give It Up net-metering homes
Status as of 28 October 2026. Rules, rates and prices change; module prices above are KERC’s April 2026 benchmarks, not Eltron quotes. Your final equipment, price and eligibility are confirmed after survey and at application.