How Much Does Solar Panel Installation Cost for a Home in India (2026)?
Installing solar panels at home in India in 2026 costs between ₹60,000 to ₹90,000 per kW (before subsidy). After the PM Surya Ghar Yojana subsidy of ₹30,000–₹78,000, your effective cost drops significantly. This guide gives you the full, real-world breakdown with no fluff.
Solar Panel Installation Cost by System Size (2026)
| System Size | Approx Cost (Before Subsidy) | Subsidy (PM Surya Ghar) | Effective Cost | Units/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹65,000 – ₹80,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 | 90–120 units |
| 2 kW | ₹1,20,000 – ₹1,50,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹60,000 – ₹90,000 | 180–240 units |
| 3 kW | ₹1,70,000 – ₹2,10,000 | ₹78,000 | ₹92,000 – ₹1,32,000 | 270–360 units |
| 5 kW | ₹2,80,000 – ₹3,50,000 | ₹78,000 | ₹2,02,000 – ₹2,72,000 | 450–600 units |
| 10 kW | ₹5,50,000 – ₹7,00,000 | ₹78,000 | ₹4,72,000 – ₹6,22,000 | 900–1200 units |
Costs vary by state, installer, panel brand, and roof type. Get exact quotes from verified installers in your city.
What Is Included in the Installation Cost?
When an installer quotes you a price, here is what should be included:
- Solar panels — typically 60–70% of total cost (monocrystalline vs polycrystalline)
- Solar inverter — 15–20% of cost (string inverter or hybrid inverter)
- Mounting structure — galvanised iron or aluminium frame, roof-specific
- Wiring & DC cables — UV-resistant solar DC cables
- Junction boxes & earthing — safety equipment
- Net metering application — paperwork with your DISCOM
- Installation labour — 1–3 days for residential systems
- Commissioning & monitoring setup — app-based monitoring
Solar Installation Cost Per Watt in India (2026)
The standard metric is ₹55 to ₹85 per watt for a grid-tied residential system in India in 2026. Here is how it breaks down by system type:
- Grid-tied (on-grid): ₹55–₹70/watt — cheapest, no battery, exports surplus to grid
- Hybrid (with battery): ₹80–₹1,20/watt — battery adds ₹25,000–₹60,000 depending on capacity
- Off-grid: ₹90–₹1,30/watt — for locations with no grid connection
Hidden Charges to Watch Out For
Cheap quotes often exclude these — always ask:
- Net meter installation fee — ₹3,000–₹8,000 paid to your electricity board
- Elevated mounting structure — adds ₹8,000–₹25,000 if your terrace needs a raised frame
- Earthing and lightning arrestor — ₹2,000–₹5,000
- DISCOM inspection and approval — sometimes charged separately
- Extended warranty / AMC — ₹4,000–₹12,000/year after free period
Residential Solar Installation Cost by City (2026)
Prices vary across India due to local labour costs, DISCOM fees, and competition:
- Mumbai: ₹68,000–₹85,000/kW — find solar installers in Mumbai
- Delhi: ₹62,000–₹80,000/kW — find solar installers in Delhi
- Bangalore: ₹60,000–₹78,000/kW — find solar installers in Bangalore
- Pune: ₹63,000–₹80,000/kW — find solar installers in Pune
- Hyderabad: ₹60,000–₹78,000/kW — find solar installers in Hyderabad
- Chennai: ₹62,000–₹80,000/kW — find solar installers in Chennai
- Jaipur: ₹58,000–₹75,000/kW — find solar installers in Jaipur
- Ahmedabad: ₹58,000–₹74,000/kW — find solar installers in Ahmedabad
How Long to Recover Your Solar Investment?
For a 3 kW system costing ₹1,30,000 (after subsidy), saving ₹3,000/month on electricity:
- Payback period: 3.5–4.5 years
- System lifespan: 25 years
- Total savings over 25 years: ₹7–9 lakh
How to Get the Right Quote
Do not accept the first quote you get. The right process:
- Get quotes from at least 3 verified residential installers
- Ask each for a site survey (reputable installers do this free)
- Compare price per watt, not total price
- Check panel brand and watt-peak ratings
- Verify if subsidy application is included in their service
Use GoSolarIndex to find and compare verified solar installers in your city — all listings include real phone numbers, addresses, and Google ratings.