Rooftop solar: cost, subsidy and sizing
For homes in North India, start with your electricity use, usable roof and local utility rules. System size alone does not tell you the installed price, savings or whether you will have power during an outage.
By SOLARIDE · Updated
How much does rooftop solar cost?
There is no single installed price for a 3 kW or 5 kW system. Panel and inverter models, mounting height, roof condition, cable runs, electrical protection, taxes and utility work change the total. A battery is a separate design and cost decision.
Ask for an itemised, dated quote before comparing installers. It should separate the full price payable from any expected subsidy, and state which approvals, meter charges and structural work are included.
- Panel manufacturer, model, quantity and total DC capacity.
- Inverter model, AC rating, monitoring and backup capability.
- Mounting structure, earthing, surge protection, cabling and waterproofing scope.
- Installation, applicable taxes, utility fees and excluded work.
- Separate product, performance and workmanship warranty terms.
SOLARIDE provides a site-specific quote after a roof and electricity-bill assessment. Compare residential and commercial solar solutions.
What is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
The government's published standard central assistance bands for eligible residential rooftop systems are Rs. 30,000 for 1 kW, Rs. 60,000 for 2 kW and a maximum of Rs. 78,000 for 3 kW or more. A 5 kW system does not receive five times the 1 kW subsidy.
| System capacity | Central assistance |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | Rs. 30,000 |
| 2 kW | Rs. 60,000 |
| 3 kW and above | Rs. 78,000 maximum |
Source: Government of India scheme announcement, 29 February 2024. Check the PM Surya Ghar National Portal for current rules, eligible equipment, registered vendors and the application process before paying a deposit.
This is not an automatic discount or a payment promise. Approval and disbursement depend on the scheme requirements and completed verification. Do not assume residential assistance applies to a commercial connection or agricultural pump, or count unapproved state benefits in your budget. SOLARIDE can help with paperwork; the authorities decide eligibility.
Should I choose a 3 kW or 5 kW solar system?
Use your last 12 months of electricity consumption in kWh, not only the rupee amount on one bill. A larger system needs more usable roof and may export more power than your household can use. Confirm sanctioned load, shading and utility limits before choosing capacity.
For illustration only, at an assumed average yield of 4 kWh per installed kW per day, a 3 kW system produces about 360 kWh in a 30-day month; a 5 kW system produces about 600 kWh. This is an arithmetic example, not a site forecast. Weather, shade, orientation, temperature and system losses affect actual output.
A preliminary roof allowance is around 100 sq ft per kW: roughly 300 sq ft for 3 kW or 500 sq ft for 5 kW. Panel dimensions, access paths, tilt and structure can change this considerably. A roof survey must confirm the layout and structural suitability.
Use the solar savings calculator for a preliminary scenario, then request a generation estimate with written assumptions. Savings and payback are not guaranteed; fixed electricity charges, finance, maintenance and inverter replacement can affect the result.
How does net metering work in Punjab and Haryana?
A bidirectional meter measures electricity imported from and exported to the grid. Under an approved net-metering arrangement, export credits are applied according to your utility's rules. Settlement periods, capacity limits, charges and the value of surplus energy are not identical everywhere.
For Mohali connections served by PSPCL, consult the PSPCL rooftop solar portal. For Hisar connections served by DHBVN, consult the DHBVN solar connection portal. Use the utility named on your bill; nearby cities can have different providers.
Installation completion is not the same as permission to export. Confirm the application, inspection and commissioning requirements with your utility. SOLARIDE's Mohali office and Hisar office can help coordinate the local process.
Will solar work during a power cut?
A standard grid-tied solar inverter shuts down when the grid fails for anti-islanding safety, even in sunlight. Rooftop panels alone do not provide backup power.
For backup, ask for a compatible hybrid or off-grid design with storage and appropriate isolation. List your essential loads and required backup hours first. Battery capacity, inverter output and starting loads determine what can run; not every hybrid configuration backs up the entire home.
What should I check before booking an installer?
- Share recent electricity bills and confirm roof ownership or permission.
- Get a shade assessment, roof layout and written system specification.
- Verify vendor and equipment eligibility on the official portal if seeking subsidy.
- Compare total prices, exclusions and payment milestones, not just price per kW.
- Ask for consented, verifiable project references and warranty documents.
- Confirm who handles utility approvals, monitoring, maintenance and service calls.
Plan your rooftop with SOLARIDE
Serving homes and businesses across all of North India, with offices in Mohali and Hisar. Send your location, recent bill and roof details for a site-specific assessment.
Request a free site survey