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Govt Tightens Data Security Norms for Rooftop Solar under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced stringent data-sharing and cybersecurity norms for rooftop solar (RTS) systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY). With the scheme aiming to integrate one crore RTS plants nationwide, the government has raised concerns over grid stability and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Inverter communication modules that send data to foreign servers pose a risk of unauthorized control, energy data theft, and national energy security breaches, according to the MNRE.

To address this, the Ministry is centralizing data collection and monitoring through a National Software Platform hosted on Indian servers and managed by MNRE or a designated government agency. All communication devices such as inverters, dongles, and data loggers must support Machine-to-Machine (M2M) SIM communication for secure and reliable data transmission.

Furthermore, from September 1, 2025, OEMs must comply with newly finalized open and vendor-neutral communication protocols. All inverters under the scheme must connect directly to government-managed servers. These steps aim to prevent coordinated cyberattacks and manipulation of power generation across millions of installations. As of July 15, 2025, over 15.45 lakh households have installed RTS systems under the PMSG: MBY scheme, reinforcing the importance of robust monitoring infrastructure for national energy security.