Getting started
Is rooftop solar worth it in India? An honest answer
In shortFor most Indian homes with a monthly bill above ₹2,000, rooftop solar is worth it: a 3 kW system pays for itself in about 3–4 years and then gives you 20+ years of near-free power, with a 71% average bill cut for adopters.
Short answer: for most homes, yes — but it depends on your bill, your roof and your DISCOM. Here’s how to tell.
The economics
A 3 kW system costs about ₹1.6–2.1 lakh, or ₹1.0–1.6 lakh after the ₹78,000 subsidy. It generates 12–15 units a day and, with net metering, can cut a typical family’s bill by around 71% (the average reported by adopters). That’s a payback of roughly 3–4 years, then two decades of near-free power.
When it’s clearly worth it
- Your monthly bill is ₹2,000+.
- You own your roof and have shade-free space (about 100 sq ft per kW).
- Your DISCOM offers net metering (almost all do).
When to think twice
- Very low bills (under ~₹1,000/month) — payback is slower.
- A heavily shaded or rented roof.
- You’re moving soon (though solar can raise resale value).
The catch that isn’t
Two common worries are overblown: maintenance is cheap (₹1,000–3,000/year, mostly occasional cleaning), and batteries aren’t required for a grid-tied, net-metered system.
Run your own numbers with the savings calculator, then compare quotes from vetted installers.
Sources
- CEEW national rooftop-solar consumer survey, 2026
- MNRE / PM Surya Ghar