Costs, Subsidy and 2026 Rules
What a rooftop solar system costs, how PM Surya Ghar CFA, net metering, GST, DCR modules and solar loans work in 2026.
rooftop solar payback period India
Will rooftop solar pay back on your roof?
A home solar system in India is a 25-year decision shaped by the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, your state's net metering rules, your top tariff slab and the quality of the vendor. These guides walk through each step with rupee arithmetic you can redo with your own bill.
- Central financial assistance, net metering and GST explained with the official source for each rule
- Sizing, payback and loan EMI examples clearly marked as illustrative, plus calculators for your numbers
- How to spot fake subsidy websites, chase a delayed subsidy and complain to the CGRF or Ombudsman
Start hereRooftop solar payback calculator with PM Surya Ghar CFA
Explore by topic
Sizing, Payback Examples and Checklists
How many kW you need, worked payback and EMI examples, on-grid versus hybrid and off-grid, batteries, housing societies and quotation checklists.
Failures, Scams, Complaints and Official Sources
Common rooftop solar mistakes, fake PM Surya Ghar websites and calls, delayed subsidy or net meter, warranty claims and the complaint route.
Start here
Sizing, Payback Examples and Checklists
Home solar battery in India: lithium (LFP) vs lead-acid, sizing and real cost per unit
Compare lithium-ion (LFP) and tubular lead-acid batteries for home solar and backup in India: usable capacity, cycle life, cost per stored unit, safety, GST and disposal.
Sizing, Payback Examples and Checklists
How many kW of rooftop solar do I need? Sizing from your bill and roof
Size a home rooftop solar system in India from your monthly units, roof area and sanctioned load, with the thumb rules, a step-by-step method and worked examples.
Failures, Scams, Complaints and Official Sources
PM Surya Ghar scams: fake websites, calls and registration fees and how to report them
How fraudsters pose as PM Surya Ghar officials or vendors in India, the warning signs of fake portals and fee demands, and what to do if you have paid or shared an OTP.
Costs, Subsidy and 2026 Rules
PM Surya Ghar subsidy explained: CFA per kW, eligibility and model solar villages
How much central financial assistance PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana gives per kW, who is eligible, how state top-ups and RWAs work, and when the money is paid.
Costs, Subsidy and 2026 Rules
Rooftop solar cost and payback period in India (2026 guide)
What a home rooftop solar system costs in India in 2026, how PM Surya Ghar subsidy, net metering, GST and your tariff decide the payback period, with worked examples.
Sizing, Payback Examples and Checklists
Solar payback worked examples: 1 kW, 3 kW and 5 kW systems with PM Surya Ghar subsidy
Step-by-step payback arithmetic for 1 kW, 3 kW and 5 kW home rooftop systems in India, with subsidy, tariff, surplus and 25-year savings, all marked illustrative.
Tools
Rooftop solar payback calculator with PM Surya Ghar CFA
Work out your net cost after central financial assistance, the years to pay back and the saving over the life of a home rooftop solar system.
Solar loan EMI calculator
Estimate the monthly instalment, total interest and total repayment on a rooftop solar loan, including any processing fee.
Rooftop solar system cost estimate by kW (illustrative)
Get a rough low-to-high price range for an on-grid, hybrid or off-grid home solar system from its size in kW, before you ask vendors for quotes.
Rooftop solar pre-installation and handover checklist
Check your roof, vendor, quotation, subsidy documents and handover papers before and after a PM Surya Ghar installation.
Home solar options compared
| Option | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-grid (grid-tied) system | Panels feed an inverter connected to the DISCOM grid; surplus is exported through a bi-directional meter | Homes with reliable grid supply and a daytime or monthly surplus; eligible for PM Surya Ghar CFA when DCR conditions are met | Shuts down during a grid outage for safety, so no backup without a battery |
| Hybrid system with battery | Hybrid inverter charges a battery and can also export to the grid | Areas with frequent cuts where you want backup and net metering | Higher cost per kW; battery life and replacement cost dominate the payback |
| Off-grid system | Panels charge a battery bank; no connection to the DISCOM | Remote homes, farmhouses or sites without a reliable connection | No net metering income; battery sizing and replacement cost are critical |
| Net metering | Imported and exported units are set off on the bill; surplus settled as per state regulations | Most households up to the limits in the Consumer Rules and state regulations | Settlement period, rate paid for surplus units and fixed charges vary by state |
Frequently asked questions
How much subsidy does PM Surya Ghar give for a home rooftop system?
MNRE's published CFA for residential households is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW, so a maximum of ₹78,000 for 3 kW or more. Special category states and UTs get ₹33,000 and ₹19,800 per kW. Housing societies and RWAs get ₹18,000 per kW for common facilities. Check the national portal for the current terms.
What is the payback period of rooftop solar in India?
It depends on your net cost after subsidy, how many units the system generates, and the tariff of the units it replaces. With illustrative numbers, a 3 kW subsidised on-grid system replacing units at ₹5–7 each often pays back in roughly four to seven years. If your state already gives you many free units, payback can be much longer.
How many kW of solar does my house need?
Divide your average monthly consumption in units by about 120 to get a first estimate, because 1 kW typically generates around 110–130 units a month in much of India (illustrative). Then check your shade-free roof area, roughly 8–10 m² per kW, and your sanctioned load. A vendor should confirm with a site survey.
What is the GST on a rooftop solar system?
The GST Council's 56th meeting reduced GST on solar power generators, solar power-based devices and photovoltaic cells and modules from 12% to 5%, effective 22 September 2025. Ask your vendor to show GST separately on the invoice. Lithium-ion batteries are taxed separately and are not part of that 5% entry.
Do I need a battery with rooftop solar?
Not for an on-grid system under net metering: the grid acts as your store. A battery adds backup during power cuts but increases the cost per kW considerably and usually lengthens payback. It makes most sense where outages are frequent or there is no reliable grid supply.
Is the PM Surya Ghar registration free?
Registration on the official national portal is free. Be wary of anyone who calls, messages or runs a look-alike website asking for a registration, approval or subsidy-processing fee. Report suspected fraud to the cybercrime helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Can I get rooftop solar in an apartment?
Yes, usually through the housing society or RWA, which can install a system on the common terrace for common loads such as lifts, pumps and lighting and claim CFA of ₹18,000 per kW under PM Surya Ghar. Individual flat owners need the society's consent and roof space allocation.
Where do I complain if the net meter or subsidy is delayed?
Raise a written complaint with the DISCOM and on the national portal first and keep the reference number. If the DISCOM does not resolve it, approach the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and then the Electricity Ombudsman under Section 42 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Vendor disputes can go to the National Consumer Helpline, 1915.
How this site is made
Dhoop Bachat is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.