How fast does rooftop solar pay for itself?
A free solar subsidy calculator for India, state by state
Enter your monthly electricity bill and see your system size, PM Surya Ghar subsidy, net metering impact, and payback period.
- 36
- States covered
- ₹78,000
- Max central subsidy
- 4-6 yrs
- Typical payback
- 25 yrs
- Panel lifespan
Free · No sign-up · Numbers based on official PM Surya Ghar and DISCOM data
Where your money goes
Your 25-year money curve
What the planet gets
Based on India's grid emission factor (~0.82 kg COâ‚‚/unit) and ~20 kg COâ‚‚ absorbed per mature tree per year.
Systems up to 5kW are exempt from net metering charges nationally.
Enter a valid monthly bill greater than ₹0 to see your results.
Simple by design
Three steps to your answer
Enter your bill
Type in your average monthly electricity bill, that's all we need to start.
See your numbers
Get recommended system size, subsidy, net cost, and payback period instantly.
Plan your move
Check your state's rules, work out EMI if financing, then get an installer quote.
The numbers
India rooftop solar at a glance
Data reviewed July 2026
Cost, subsidy & payback by system size (national benchmark)
| Size | Gross cost | Central subsidy | Net cost | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1kW | ₹60,000 | − ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 | ~3 yrs |
| 2kW | ₹1,20,000 | − ₹60,000 | ₹60,000 | ~3 yrs |
| 3kW | ₹1,80,000 | − ₹78,000 | ₹1,02,000 | ~3.4 yrs |
| 5kW | ₹3,00,000 | − ₹78,000 | ₹2,22,000 | ~4.4 yrs |
| 10kW | ₹6,00,000 | − ₹78,000 | ₹5,22,000 | ~5.2 yrs |
At ₹60,000/kW and a ₹7/unit tariff. State top-ups reduce net cost further, pick your state below.
Biggest state top-up
On top of the central ₹78,000, the cheapest net cost in India
Highest tariff = biggest savings/unit
Every solar unit offsets more where power costs more
State by state
State-specific subsidy calculators
Many states add their own top-up subsidy on top of the central PM Surya Ghar scheme, and net metering rules are set by your local DISCOM. Pick your state for more accurate numbers.
Gujarat
PGVCL / UGVCL / DGVCL / MGVCL
+₹10,000/kW state subsidy
Rajasthan
JVVNL / AVVNL / JdVVNL
+₹8,000/kW state subsidy
Maharashtra
MSEDCL
Conditional incentive available
Uttar Pradesh
UPPCL
Conditional incentive available
Delhi
BSES Rajdhani / BSES Yamuna / Tata Power-DDL
Conditional incentive available
Karnataka
BESCOM / MESCOM / HESCOM / GESCOM
Central subsidy
Tamil Nadu
TANGEDCO
Central subsidy
Bihar
NBPDCL / SBPDCL
Central subsidy
Learn before you buy
Guides written to be understood
Is solar worth it?
An honest take on when rooftop solar pays off, and when it doesn't.
How the subsidy works
Subsidy slabs, how it's paid, and how state top-ups stack.
Net metering explained
How you get credited for surplus power, and why the rules matter.
Documents needed
The full checklist and step-by-step application process.
Numbers you can actually trust
No inflated savings, no invented subsidies. Every figure traces back to a stated assumption and an official source, the PM Surya Ghar portal, state regulators, and DISCOMs. We even publish the exact formulas we use.
Frequently asked questions
How is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculated?
The central subsidy is ₹30,000 for a 1kW system, ₹60,000 for 2kW, and a flat ₹78,000 for 3kW or larger residential systems. State governments may add further top-up subsidies on top of this.
Do I need to apply for net metering separately?
Yes. Net metering is approved and installed by your local DISCOM, separate from the PM Surya Ghar subsidy application. Systems up to 5kW are generally exempt from net metering charges nationally.
How accurate is this calculator?
It gives an estimate based on average tariffs, standard subsidy slabs, and a typical cost benchmark per kW. Your actual numbers depend on your DISCOM's tariff, an installer's quote, and your roof's sun exposure, always confirm with a local installer before deciding.
Is rooftop solar worth it in India?
For most homes with a monthly bill above ₹1,500-2,000, yes. After the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, a typical residential system pays back in about 4-6 years and then generates largely free electricity for 20+ more years.
Do solar panels generate power on cloudy or rainy days?
Yes, but less, typically 10-30% of rated output under heavy cloud. Over a full year the monsoon dip is already baked into the conservative 4 units/kW/day average we use, so your annual estimate stays realistic even with 2-3 cloudy months.
Does a grid-tied solar system work during a power cut?
No, a standard grid-tied system shuts off during a grid failure for lineman safety (anti-islanding). If you have frequent cuts, you need a hybrid inverter with a battery, which adds roughly ₹50,000-1,00,000 to the system cost.