Home solar options compared
How the main rooftop solar configurations, metering arrangements and battery types work for Indian homes, who they suit and what to watch.
This table compares types of systems and arrangements, not brands or vendor prices. Use it to work out which configuration fits your roof, your power cuts and your DISCOM's rules before you ask for quotations. Prices in the guides are always marked illustrative.
Select a column header to sort.
| 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 |
| Gross metering | All solar output is sold to the DISCOM at a set tariff; your consumption is billed normally | Cases where the state offers or requires it, often larger systems | Saving depends on the feed-in tariff versus your retail tariff |
| Net billing / net feed-in | Imports and exports are valued separately at different rates | States that use it above certain capacities | Exports may be valued far below your retail tariff |
| Lithium-ion (LFP) battery | Higher usable depth of discharge, sealed, long cycle life | Daily cycling in hybrid systems and limited space | Higher upfront price; needs a compatible inverter and a proper battery management system |
| Lead-acid (tubular) battery | Lower upfront price, lower usable depth of discharge, needs ventilation | Occasional backup with a modest budget | Shorter life under daily cycling; flooded types need topping up |
| Housing society (RWA/GHS) common system | One system on the common terrace supplies common loads such as lifts, pumps and lighting | Apartment buildings where individual roofs are not available | Needs a general body resolution, structural check and the society's own DISCOM connection |
Rules differ by state and DISCOM. Check your State Electricity Regulatory Commission's rooftop solar or net metering regulations and your DISCOM's website, and the national PM Surya Ghar portal for subsidy terms. Official homepages: PM Surya Ghar national portal, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power, Bureau of Indian Standards.