☀️ Peak sun hours in India
India gets strong sun almost everywhere — roughly 4.5 to 6 peak sun hours. The north-west (Rajasthan, Gujarat) is highest; the monsoon-heavy north-east a little lower.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Rajasthan & Gujarat | ~5.5 – 6.0 |
| Central India & the Deccan | ~5.2 – 5.7 |
| South India (TN, Karnataka, AP) | ~5.0 – 5.6 |
| North India (Delhi, UP, Punjab) | ~4.8 – 5.4 |
| North-east & heavy-monsoon belt | ~4.0 – 4.6 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in India
Residential electricity in India is billed on rising slabs and varies a lot by state, but is roughly ₹6–₹10 per kWh for typical households, and higher for large consumers. The more you use, the higher the slab — so solar is most valuable for homes with big monthly bills.
💸 Incentives & net metering
The big one is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a central subsidy for residential rooftop solar (for example, up to around ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system, subject to current rules). Most states also offer net metering, crediting exported energy against your bill. Subsidy amounts and net-metering caps change, so check the latest with your DISCOM and the national portal.
💰 System cost & payback in India
Before subsidy, rooftop systems run roughly ₹50,000–₹70,000 per kW; the PM Surya Ghar subsidy brings the net cost down significantly:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | ~₹1.5–2.1 lakh before subsidy | Typical home |
| 5 kW | ~₹2.5–3.5 lakh before subsidy | Larger home / higher bill |
| 10 kW | ~₹5–7 lakh before subsidy | Large home / small business |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: India
India's combination of a national subsidy plus net metering makes residential rooftop solar pay back quickly — often in about 4–6 years for homes in higher tariff slabs. The key is to size the system to your actual consumption and to confirm your state's net-metering cap, since some states limit the system size eligible for full net metering.
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: how many panels to run a house, solar panels in hot climates, and peak sun hours by location.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does India get?
About 4.5 to 6. Rajasthan and Gujarat are highest (~5.5–6), most of the south and centre around 5–5.7, and the monsoon-heavy north-east lower at ~4–4.6.
Is solar worth it in India?
Yes for most homes, especially with the PM Surya Ghar subsidy and net metering. Payback is commonly around 4–6 years for higher-consumption households.
What is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
A central-government scheme that subsidises residential rooftop solar — for example up to roughly ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system, subject to the current rules on the national portal.
How much does solar cost in India?
Roughly ₹50,000–₹70,000 per kW before subsidy, so a 3 kW system is about ₹1.5–2.1 lakh before the PM Surya Ghar subsidy reduces it.
Note: Indian electricity tariffs, the PM Surya Ghar subsidy and state net-metering rules change over time and vary by state/DISCOM. These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify locally.