Solar Panel Calculator for India
Rooftop solar is booming across India on the back of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy and rising DISCOM tariffs. This free solar calculator estimates your system size, payback and lifetime savings in rupees using local rates, sun hours and the current rooftop subsidy.
Calculate my solar payback in India →
Solar at a glance in India
Between the subsidy and low install costs, payback periods of roughly 3–5 years are typical for grid-tied homes in most states.
| Currency | Indian rupees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Typical electricity rate | ₹ 8 per kWh |
| Installed cost | ≈ ₹ 55 per watt |
| Peak sun hours | ≈ 5.5 hours/day |
| Rooftop subsidy / credit | ≈ 30% (indicative) |
| Export / buyback | ≈ ₹ 3 per kWh |
Indicative 2026 starting points — every figure is editable in the calculator, and results depend on your own bill, roof and installer quotes.
A typical 5 kW system in India
At around ₹ 55 per watt, a 5 kW rooftop system costs roughly ₹ 275,000 and produces about 7,829 kWh in its first year at India's 5.5 peak sun hours a day. Your real numbers depend on your roof, shading, panel choice and how much power you use during the day — run your own figures in the calculator to see your exact payback, net savings and ROI.
How the solar calculator works
- Your setup. India and Indian rupees are pre-selected, with local electricity rate, install cost and sun hours filled in. Enter your monthly bill, or size the system from your appliances.
- Your roof. Search your address or tap “use my location”, then draw your roof on the satellite map — or just type its area. We check the system fits and read local sun hours from NASA data.
- Your results. Instantly see your payback period, net savings, ROI, system size, year-1 production and lifetime CO₂ offset — compare cash vs. a loan, and download a PDF report.
Common questions — solar in India
How many solar panels do I need in India?
It depends on your electricity use, roof space and local sun hours (about 5.5 peak sun hours/day here). A 5 kW system of high-wattage panels is a common starting point for a home — enter your bill or appliances and the calculator gives your exact panel count and system size.
Does India have net metering?
Yes. Net metering for residential rooftop systems is offered by state DISCOMs (limits and slabs vary by state). Surplus generation is credited against your consumption.
Are there solar subsidies or incentives in India?
The central PM Surya Ghar scheme gives a sizeable capital subsidy on residential rooftop systems (up to 3 kW is subsidised most heavily), and several states add their own top-up. The calculator lets you enter your rebate percentage to see the net cost.
How much does a solar system cost in India?
A typical 5 kW rooftop system runs around ₹ 275,000 before subsidy at about ₹ 55 per watt installed. After the PM Surya Ghar subsidy your net cost is lower — enter your rebate in the calculator to see it.
Is solar worth it in India?
With the rooftop subsidy and net metering, most homes see payback in roughly 3–5 years, then decades of near-free power. Enter your monthly bill to check your own numbers.
Work out your system size
Not sure how big a system you need? These guides work back from your monthly usage:
500 kWh/month 1,000 kWh/month 1,500 kWh/month 2,000 kWh/month 2,500 kWh/month 3,000 kWh/month
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