Rooftop solar can cut your electricity bill dramatically, but the upfront cost and payback period vary by usage. Enter your details below to estimate system size, cost after subsidy, monthly savings, and payback period for a home in India.
How this calculator works
The tool converts your monthly bill into units consumed, then sizes a rooftop solar system that can offset most of that usage, assuming roughly 4 units of generation per kW of installed capacity per day in India. Consequently, it estimates the post-subsidy system cost using a typical benchmark of Rs. 45,000 per kW for residential systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, then calculates monthly savings and the simple payback period.
Is solar worth it for your home?
For most Indian households with a monthly bill above Rs. 2,000, solar typically pays back within 4 to 6 years and then delivers 15+ years of near-free electricity. However, actual savings depend on your roof’s sun exposure, local subsidy availability, and whether your state allows net metering. Furthermore, homes with high daytime electricity use see faster payback since they consume solar power directly instead of exporting it to the grid.
Next steps
Before installing, get quotes from at least three MNRE-empanelled vendors and confirm your subsidy eligibility on the PM Surya Ghar portal. Additionally, check your roof’s structural condition and shading, since even partial shade can meaningfully reduce output. Curious how solar compares to your total household emissions? Try our Carbon Footprint Calculator to see the bigger picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this solar savings calculator?
It uses standard India-wide assumptions for generation (4 units/kW/day) and post-subsidy cost (Rs. 45,000/kW), so results are a solid starting estimate. However, get a site survey from a vendor for an exact quote, since roof orientation, shading, and local labour costs vary.
What subsidy is available for rooftop solar in India?
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, households can get a central subsidy of up to Rs. 78,000 depending on system size, in addition to some state-level incentives. Therefore, always check the latest subsidy slab on the official portal before budgeting.
How long does rooftop solar installation take?
A typical residential system takes 1 to 2 weeks from site survey to commissioning, plus additional time for net metering approval from your electricity board, which can add 4 to 8 weeks depending on your state.
Does solar work during power cuts?
A standard grid-tied solar system without a battery shuts off during a grid outage for safety reasons. Consequently, if backup power matters to you, you will need a hybrid system with battery storage, which increases the upfront cost.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes, the Solar Panel Savings Calculator is completely free, requires no sign-up, and runs directly in your browser with no data sent to a server.