Enter your state and average monthly bill. This estimates a suitable system size, your PM Surya Ghar subsidy, and when cumulative savings could overtake your net upfront cost.
Cumulative savings vs. what you paid
How much does rooftop solar actually cost in India in 2026?
Rooftop solar installation costs vary by system size, component specification, roof and wiring work, installer and region. This calculator uses ₹55,000–₹66,000 per kW as a model assumption—not a live price feed or supplier quote. The central PM Surya Ghar subsidy is modeled at ₹30,000/kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW, capped at ₹78,000 for eligible grid-connected residential installations. State subsidies are not automatically included: the optional Uttar Pradesh scenario uses ₹15,000/kW up to 2 kW (maximum ₹30,000) based on UPNEDA scheme material, but verify current eligibility before enabling it. See the official PM Surya Ghar portal and UPNEDA’s rooftop solar portal.
The calculator uses your bill and an editable effective tariff to estimate consumption, applies a modeled system size/cost and central-subsidy scenario, then projects savings over 25 years. It separately values solar energy used in the home and energy exported to the grid; real bill slabs, fixed charges, hourly load, export-credit rules, roof shading and eligibility may change the result. Review the methodology above the FAQs and confirm current tariff/subsidy rules with your DISCOM before using the result for a purchase decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy?
It's the Government of India's central rooftop solar subsidy scheme, offering ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW of installed capacity and ₹18,000 per kW for the third kW, with the total central subsidy capped at ₹78,000 regardless of how large the system is beyond 3 kW. Some states add their own top-up subsidy on top of this.
How is the solar payback period calculated?
Payback period is the number of years it takes for your cumulative electricity savings to equal your net investment (system cost minus subsidy). This calculator projects savings year by year, factoring in roughly 3% annual electricity tariff inflation, 0.6% annual panel output degradation, ongoing maintenance costs, and a one-time inverter replacement around year 12 — so it's a more conservative and realistic figure than a simple "system cost ÷ monthly savings" estimate.
Does the solar subsidy amount change by state in India?
The central PM Surya Ghar subsidy follows the scheme's residential CFA rules, but an additional state subsidy is not guaranteed. This calculator does not automatically include Delhi or Rajasthan top-ups because current eligibility/rates have not been verified here. Its optional Uttar Pradesh scenario is based on UPNEDA scheme material listing ₹15,000/kW up to 2 kW (maximum ₹30,000); confirm current eligibility on the UPNEDA portal before enabling it.
Does the calculator account for net metering and exported units?
The calculator uses the editable share of solar generation used directly and a separate export-credit rate to approximate self-consumption and energy exported to the grid. It does not model hourly production and demand, so this remains a scenario—not an interval-meter simulation. Actual net-metering settlement may credit exports at a lower rate, bank units or reconcile them at a different interval. Enter the export rate from your current DISCOM/net-metering agreement.
Is rooftop solar worth it for a typical Indian household in 2026?
For many households with sufficiently high electricity consumption and favourable local tariffs, rooftop solar can achieve a relatively short payback period and then continue generating savings over the life of the system. The exact result varies substantially with local tariff slabs, system cost, sunlight, subsidy eligibility, maintenance, and net-metering rules — which is why this calculator presents a planning estimate rather than a guaranteed return.
How accurate are the numbers in this calculator?
The figures are indicative planning estimates based on the assumptions stated in this calculator, including installation costs, official central subsidy slabs, and indicative state-level tariff and solar-generation inputs. Actual costs vary by installer, roof condition, and component choice, and real DISCOM tariffs vary by consumption slab. Treat this as a starting point for budgeting, and get a site-specific quote from an MNRE-empanelled installer before making a final decision.