Solar Panel Price in India 2023: A comprehensive list

Solar panels have been a great source of energy in India for a long time but it is only recently that due to their price drop, they have become more accessible to a larger population. With such an economic and environment-friendly option at the disposal, many people in the country are slowly shifting to solar panels. The wise have realized that it is a shame not to use the most natural source of energy available to us- sunlight and this has led to the growing popularity of solar panels.

If you are looking for a way to reduce your electricity bill and go easy on the environment at a time when its condition is gradually deteriorating, solar panels are the best way to go. Even though the initial investment might seem high, it will eventually save much of your money. In this article, we discuss solar panel prices in India and how you can benefit from it.

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Solar Panel Prices By Manufacturers In India

There are mainly two types of manufacturers that sell their goods in India. One is, of course, the Indian brands or as we say the local brands and the other are the international or foreign brands. The market in India has always been a mixture of the two and even in the case of solar panels, you will find them being manufactured by both types of manufacturers.

However, if your state offers a subsidy on solar panels then it is only through Indian brands that you can access this subsidy. Talk to your state renewable energy development authority to learn more about subsidies and other matters. While the common notion is that international brands always surpass Indian brands when it comes to quality, the truth is that the Indian solar panel brands have proven to be equally efficient.

Here is a list of the prices offered by some of the best Indian brands:

Manufacturer Min Price Max Price
Tata Power Solar Rs. 27/watt Rs. 48/watt
Luminous Rs. 26/watt Rs. 66/watt
Vikram Solar Rs. 19/watt Rs. 30/watt
V Guard Solar Rs. 20/watt Rs. 62/watt
Adani Solar Rs. 18/watt Rs. 35/watt
Microtek Solar Rs. 25/watt Rs. 60/watt
Loom Solar Rs. 32/watt Rs. 75/watt
Patanjali Solar Rs. 25/watt Rs. 50/watt
Exide Rs. 26/watt Rs. 50/watt
Waree Rs. 19/watt Rs. 28/watt

There are a few more great brands that are known for offering a decent solar panel price in India such as Navitas Solar, Emmvee Solar, and so on. You will be surprised to find out that the prices of international brands are quite similar to the Indian ones. For example, Panasonic quotes a minimum price of Rs. 24/watt and maximum price of Rs. 52/watt while another brand called Canadian Solar quotes a minimum price of Rs. 25/watt and maximum price of Rs. 46/watt.

A few more international brands worth mentioning are Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, etc. It is important to mention at this stage that the prices given are for both types of solar panels- monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Another important fact is that these prices are only for the solar panels and not any of the other accessories that are required to install one.

Solar Panel Prices By Wattage

Manufacturer Wattage Range Price Range Detailed Prices
Luminous Solar 40W – 335W Rs.2,650 – Rs.14,500 View
Tata Power Solar 50W – 330W Rs.2,200 – Rs.9,240 View
Vikram Solar 100W – 330W Rs.3,400 – Rs.7,260 View
Su-Kam Solar 40W – 335W Rs.2,000 – Rs.9,045 View
Microtek Solar 50W – 325W Rs.2,000 – Rs.7,475 View

The prices of various solar panels are usually dependent on factors like the material they are made of, the functions and features they are equipped with, the power consumption, and so on. In this section, we will shed some light on the solar panel prices on the basis of wattage. This will help you understand the wattage required by different appliances in your house and further guide you to buy solar panels that support that wattage.

There is a solar panel for every individual, household, or office; be it a 50-watt portable solar panel or a 300-watt panel. On average, a refrigerator has a consumption wattage of 800-1200 watt-hours/day and 150 watt-hours/day as a running wattage. The freezer uses approximately 58 kWh in a month. All of it adds up to a total of 115 kWh in a month.

To power refrigerators, you require three to four average solar panels. 1 kilowatt-hours/day is produced by a 100-watt solar panel that receives 8 hours of sunlight daily. If the consumption of the refrigerator is divided by this number, we get 3.8 solar panels as a result. This clearly signifies that you require nothing less than 4 panels to run a refrigerator.

The solar panel price in India for home use is also determined by the other appliances used such as lights, fans, air conditioners, etc. 2.5 kilowatt-hours/day is what a 300-watt solar panel produces on receiving 8 hours of sunlight. On a yearly basis, each panel produces 900 kilowatts-hour which is suitable for a range of appliances in your home including television, laptops, LED lights, stereos, etc. Laptops consume an average of 20-50 watts of electricity while LED TVs consume 40-50 watts which is easy for a 300-watt solar panel to handle.

For appliances like water heaters, stoves, dryers, and other heavy ones, a 500-watt solar panel is more than sufficient as it produces 4 kilowatt-hours each day. You can even run your gaming consoles, digital cameras, refrigerators, and more on a 500-watt solar panel. Central air conditioners consume energy as high as 35000 watts per hour under normal circumstances. Thus, an average air conditioner can run your AC for approximately 8.5 hours. It is best to limit the usage if you have a small solar panel installed since it will not be able to take too much load.

It usually takes about 5 hours to charge a 100ah battery at 12 volts and 20 amps. With some simple calculations, you will understand that to charge a 100ah battery, you require 240 watts solar panel. If you have installed an off-grid solar panel to power your home, then how many solar panels will you require? As per the calculations done earlier based on the energy requirement of a few appliances, we can tell that a single solar panel produces 900 kilowatt-hours.

An Indian house consumes on average a total of 300 kilowatt-hours yearly. Thus, roughly 6-7 solar panels are sufficient to power an entire house in India and sometimes even lesser than that. For smaller homes, the number of solar panels required is even less.

Lastly, to understand how many solar panels are required to power your house, you should make a list of all the appliances and devices that are used. This list will mainly include appliances like TV, AC, laptop, water pump, lights, fans, refrigerator, and microwave. Solar sizing calculators like the National Portal for Rooftop Solar calculator are available that helps you calculate the total energy requirement as per the appliances in your house. It will guide you to the size and number of solar panels you require.

Solar Module Prices by Type

There are mainly four types of solar panels found in India which are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film, and concentrated photovoltaic.

1. Monocrystalline solar panels:

A single pure silicon crystal is used to make a monocrystalline solar panel which generates higher power. They are blackish in color and are made of mono perk cells of size 156 mm. These tend to have a high efficiency of 17-20% which is quite high and hence, the price of these panels are equally high. The maximum price of such a solar panel is Rs. 48/watt.

2. Polycrystalline solar panels:

Polycrystalline solar panels are made of multiple crystals and they generate less power. This type is less efficient but still preferred by most people since they cost far less than monocrystalline solar panels. It is 13-16% less efficient than the first type. Another drawback of the type is that it occupies too much space and has a low efficiency in cloudy weather.

3. Thin-film solar panels:

Thin-film solar cells made by depositing layers of photovoltaic material on a substrate like metal, glass, or plastic. The main advantage of thin-film cells is that it is extremely flexible and hence, can be used on curved surfaces as well. The cost of installation for these are higher than even that of monocrystalline panels. The cost also incurs to be more since these panels need much more care and maintenance.

4. Concentrated Photovoltaic:

As the name suggests, concentrated photovoltaic solar panels use special lenses to  concentrate the rays of the sun for high efficiency of the panels. This is an expensive form of installation but it is very environment-friendly. Since the technology is quite new in India, it is still not as popular as the ones mentioned earlier.

Solar Panel Prices In India By State

Each state in India has a different energy requirement today and their solar potential is also different from one another. Thus, to meet the unique needs of every state, there are different solar policies as well as net metering regulations. The solar panel prices also vary from state to state due to these factors. In this section of the article, we will discuss the differing prices of solar panels in India.

  • West Bengal- This is a state that has a somewhat good provision of electricity, at least in the urban areas like Kolkata. Many people have started using solar panels in their homes as solar power awareness is increasing. The approximate price of a 1kW solar panel is Rs. 36,000. This is for a 24V monocrystalline solar panel. The state offers a 30% subsidy here.
  • Andhra Pradesh- The price of solar panel installation in Andhra Pradesh is approximately Rs. 50,000 for a 1 kW panel. The center provides a 30% subsidy while the state provides 20%.
  • Arunachal Pradesh- The cost of solar panels is Rs. 52 to Rs. 64 per Wp and subsidy provided is 70%.
  • Assam- The annual per capita consumption of electricity in the state of Assam is approximately 300 kWh which is a lot less than that of the other states of India. The price of solar panels is also less according to this consumption level. On average, the cost is Rs. 52 to Rs. 64 per Wp. This is the case in all North-East states. The government also provides a 70% subsidy here to encourage people to install solar panels.
  • Bihar- A 1 kWh 24 V Polycrystalline solar panel costs Rs. 35,000 in Bihar and the other types of solar panels are somewhere within that range. The state receives a subsidy of 55% from the government.
  • Chhattisgarh- The cost of installing a solar panel here is approximately Rs. 75,000-1,00,000 which is quite a leap from the states mentioned earlier. Chhattisgarh receives a subsidy of 40%.
  • Goa-  This is the smallest state in India and also the poorest ranking state when it comes to solar panel installations. It has a solar power capacity of just 0.5 MW. It receives a 50% subsidy from the government.
  • Gujarat- The price of solar panels per kW in Gujarat is Rs. 40,000 and it receives a subsidy of 40% from the government for installations.
  • Haryana- Solar panels are available at Rs. 35-Rs. 60 per watt in Haryana and the state provides a 30% subsidy on these prices. The price also depends on important factors like the type of the solar panel and its brand.
  • Himachal Pradesh- There are no large-scale solar power plants in the state, there are quite a few households that have installed solar power systems. It receives a 70% subsidy on all solar panel installations.
  • Jharkhand- This state has taken up various solar power projects over the last few years in an attempt to restore the deteriorating conditions of the environment and to encourage the residents to switch to solar energy. The government provides a subsidy of 50% on installation of panels.
  • Karnataka- If you are looking for 1kW solar panels without battery then it will cost you Rs. 55,000 to 80,000 and the solar panels with battery cost Rs. 65,000 to 95,000. With subsidy, the price per unit is Rs. 3.08 per unit.
  • Kerala- The price of solar panels in Kerala is approximately Rs. 34,000-36,000. A subsidy of 40% is offered for panels upto 3kW.
  • Madhya Pradesh- In this state, the price of solar panels is the same as that in Kerala barring a few differences here and there. The price ranges from Rs. 34,000-36,000 and the subsidy offered is 40%.
  • Maharashtra- The price of 1kW solar panel in Maharashtra amounts to anywhere between 34,500-36,000. A generous subsidy of 30% is offered to those who plan on installing a solar system at their home or in the office.
  • Manipur- In this North-east state, solar panels are available at Rs. 35/watt which is quite affordable as compared to prices in various other states. Whoever is a solar user is exempted from any bank charges as well as cross-subsidy surcharges.
  • Meghalaya- Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are available at a slightly higher price in Meghalaya as compared to its neighboring state of Manipur. It is priced at Rs. 42-46 per Wp. A polycrystalline panel costs Rs. 52-64 per Wp. For the first 3kW, the subsidy provided is 40% and after that for the rest 7kW, the subsidy is 20%.
  • Mizoram- The solar panels price in India in the state of Mizoram is almost the same as the North-Eastern states already mentioned in the list. The solar subsidy also ranges from 40-50% in this state.
  • Nagaland- The average solar panel price in India per watt is Rs. 184 to Rs. 241 in Nagaland. There is a provision for almost 70% subsidy on solar panels here.
  • Odisha- A residential 1kW solar panel costs Rs. 47,000 in Odisha. As the capacity of the solar plant increases, so does the price of the solar panel. All those residents of Odisha who install a solar system are promised a 30% subsidy for rooftop solar power.
  • Punjab- The approximate charges for installing solar panels in any household or official building in Punjab stands at Rs. 37,000. The subsidy rate offered here is only 20%, quite low when compared to a few other states.
  • Rajasthan- Solar panels are available at Rs. 30/watt in Rajasthan. However, this price varies from one brand to another. For up to 3kW rooftop solar installations, the subsidy offered by the government is 40%.
  • Sikkim- This is the least populated state in the country and hence, the power consumption is also limited. Since Sikkim is a tourist place, its peak energy consumption is due to outsiders staying in the state. The price of solar panels is no different from what is found in most states. There are many solar power projects coming up in the state that have received 90% funding from the central and state governments.
  • Tamil Nadu- To install an on grid solar system, you will incur an expenditure of about Rs. 65,000 per kW. Tamil Nadu solar systems receive a 20% subsidy from the authorities.
  • Telangana- Installing a 5kWp solar panel in Telangana will cost your Rs. 3.4 lakhs. The subsidy offered here is Rs. 90 per watt.
  • Tripura- Tripura is a forest clad area that receives heavy downpour in the monsoons. Despite all this, it has an energy consumption of 5MW. With efforts from the government and various environment awareness campaigns, the usage of solar power is being increased gradually. The exact price of solar panels in this state is difficult to say.
  • Uttarakhand- The price of solar panels in Uttarakhand varies between Rs. 2.30 and Rs. 3.5 per unit. As per the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan, the government provides a 80% subsidy to all those who install a solar system.
  • Uttar Pradesh- The price of solar panels in Uttar Pradesh ranges from Rs. 34,000 to 50,000. The high-end solar panels tend to cost more. The per kW subsidy is Rs. 15,000 in Uttar Pradesh.
State Price/KW (before Subsidy) State Subsidy
West Bengal Rs.36,000 30%
Andhra Pradesh Rs.50,000 20%
Arunachal Pradesh Rs.58,000 70%
Assam Rs.58,000 70%
Bihar Rs.35,000 55%
Chhattisgarh Rs.75,000-Rs.1,00,000 40%
Goa 50%
Gujarat Rs.40,000 50%
Haryana Rs.35,000-Rs.60,000 30%
Himachal Pradesh 70%
Jharkhand 50%
Karnataka Rs.55,000-Rs.80,000 Rs.3.08/unit
Kerala Rs.34,000-Rs.64,000 40% upto 3kW
Madhya Pradesh Rs.34,000-Rs.36,000 40%
Maharashtra Rs.34,500-Rs.36,000 30%
Manipur Rs.35,000
Meghalaya Rs.42,000-Rs.46,000 20%
Mizoram Rs.42,000-Rs.46,000 40-50%
Nagaland Rs.1,84,000-Rs.2,41,000 70%
Odisha Rs.47,000 30%
Punjab Rs.37,000 20%
Rajasthan Rs.30,000 40%
Sikkim Rs.35,000 90%
Tamil Nadu Rs.65,000 20%
Telangana Rs.90,000 Rs.90/Watt
Uttarakhand 80%
Uttar Pradesh Rs.34,000-Rs.50,000 Rs.15,000/kW

Factors Influencing Solar Price

People often ask the question ‘How much is a solar panel for?’ before buying one. This question is impossible to answer because there are so many different factors that influence the solar price. This includes the different energy requirements of different households, the space that is available to install the panels, your own budget, and so on. In this section, we shall discuss some of the important factors influencing solar panels price in India.

1. Household Electrical Demand:

This is the most crucial factor that determines the price of a solar panel since it is something that you can control yourself. In a house with electronic appliances everywhere, as is our lifestyle now, the electric consumption is quite high. We have appliances like water heaters, air conditioners, laptops, washing machines, and so on. Using gas appliances, on the other hand, saves a lot of energy and money.

The easiest way in which people of a household can keep a watch on the electrical demands of all the appliances is by summoning the yearly utility bills and then calculate how much that would be on a monthly basis in kWh. Based on these calculations, you will be able to look for a solar panel that tries to meet the energy requirements of the household.

It need not be necessary for the panel to meet all the electrical demands as in many cases people expect to only reduce the load from the grid in order to reduce the electricity bills. You can install a small solar system and save on the bills or you can get a large one but not save as much. You can also try to reduce the household electrical demands in order to get a small solar panel.

You can do this by replacing the old appliances with new ones that are more energy-efficient. Another way is to change the landscape of the house so that it becomes cooler and less hot. Upgrading the windows and doors also lead to creating more insulation.

2. Rooftop Evaluation:

Here is yet another factor that is crucial for you to consider when it comes to buying a solar panel. The space available on the rooftop will decide the type of solar panel you can install and also its price. If the space on the rooftop is small or limited then the size of the solar panel system will also be small and the price will be lesser.

A roof that does not get exposure from the south or west then it will not be quite useful for a rooftop solar array. This is so because the sunlight will not fall on the panels and not provide much energy. The system inefficiencies will be more which will result in a larger cost for repair and effectively reduce the energy output of the entire system.

Therefore, you must have some idea about the size of the roof as well as its direction to maximize the utility of the solar panels.

3. Choice Of Solar Panels:

The type of solar panel that you purchase will automatically determine the solar panel price per watt. There are mainly three different kinds of solar panels available which are monocrystalline solar cells, polycrystalline solar cells, and thin film solar cells. The first two types are most commonly used for residential purposes. Generally the monocrystalline cells have proven to be more efficient and useful compared to polycrystalline cells.

However, they also tend to be more expensive than the latter. Another drawback of monocrystalline cells is that they tend to heat up very easily in places with a hot climate and lose much of their efficiency. Thus, in places like this, a polycrystalline cell works better. Even when the generating capacity is the same, the monocrystalline panels are smaller in size and occupy less space unlike polycrystalline panels.

The space saved is nothing more than 10% while the money spent is usually a lot more so in most cases people in India prefer a polycrystalline cell to a monocrystalline cell. The differences that have been mentioned are slowly being overcome with the help of technological advancement of solar panels.

Other than the types of the solar panels, your choice of panels also depends on the brand you are purchasing from. Every brand produces panels that have slight differences in terms of quality and efficiency. The price of the panels also differ to some extent depending on the brand.

You might initially feel that buying a low-budget solar panel will serve you well but that might not always be the case. If the quality and efficiency of the panels are not good enough then the long term savings will not be as less as you expected. Similarly, get rid of the notion that if the price of a solar panel is high then that must be of the best quality. Keep your mind open and carry out adequate research to decide.

4. Solar Panel Mounting Hardware:

The kind of mounting hardware along with its cost is another factor that goes into determining the price of a solar panel. The mounting hardware is what is used to fix the panels to the roof and even connect one panel to the adjacent one. Selecting the mounting hardware is something that is entirely up to the solar installer.

The type of mounting hardware used depends on specific situations like the weather conditions of a place, the pitch roof, the solar array, etc.). Unless you install your own system, the decision about which mounting hardware to be used will lie in the hands of the installer.

5. Power Inverter:

The total cost of the solar system is also determined by the brand and model of the power inverter unit. This is what converts the DC electricity which is produced by the solar panels to AC current. The power inverter is also what connects the solar panels and the utility grid. There is a wide range of power inverters available in the market; all with different ratings as per the efficiency.

These are also made to suit the different installation situations which tend to vary. According to the nature of the solar array, your solar installer will choose the appropriate power inverter. This they will do with the help of the vast knowledge and experience they have in installing solar panels in several locations and under different circumstances.

6. Labor Costs:

Yet another important factor that must be mentioned while talking about solar panels price in India is the labor cost involved. This cost involves the labor taken to transport the solar panels and then install them in your house. It is usually included in the price of the solar panels.

The labor cost is dependent on a lot of factors such as the geographic location where the installation is to take place, the condition of the individual installers, and even the size of the array to be installed. You can reduce the labor cost since it is usually included in the price quoted to you by the installers. Hence, you must do an overall comparison of as many products as possible so that you get the best price.

7. Solar Incentives:

The last factor on this list is that of solar incentives which can play a huge role in the price that you get the solar panels at. These incentives are offered to solar panel users in the form of subsidies. These subsidies are provided by both the central government as well as the different state governments. It can go as high as 70% in the case of the North-Eastern states as well as in places like Himachal Pradesh.

These subsidies work to reduce the overall cost of the solar installation. Few other kinds of incentives that are also provided are in the form of tax credits, low interest rate financing options, sales tax exemptions, and so on. The government subsidies differ from one state to another as mentioned earlier. You must enquire the solar installer about all questions you have and gather as much information as possible so that you get the solar panel at the best price.

How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels?

The installation of solar panels in India includes various components such as the solar panel itself, solar inverter, solar battery, solar charge controller, panel stand, ACDB, DCDB, lightning arrester, DC wire, AC wire, MC4 connectors, wire thimbles, and more. Given the work required to install this to get the panels from functioning, the cost of installing solar panels is approximately Rs. 7/watt in India. The price keeps increasing with the size of the solar system.

You might be required to pay certain additional costs for installation such as Rs. 2000 for internal wiring connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do solar panels work during monsoon?

Solar panels work even during the monsoon season but the energy produced is very less. The performance of solar panels are affected by the shades, rain, and clouds. They are most efficient when there is proper sunlight. The energy produced by the panels is equivalent to the amount of sunlight received by them.

2. What is the average lifespan of a solar panel?

The average lifespan of a solar panel is approximately 30 years and the warranty offered by most brands is for 25 years. The brand and the quality of the solar panel along with how well you maintain it further determines the life span of the solar system.

3. What is the price of a 1kW solar panel in India?

The price of a 1kW solar panel in India varies on the basis of many factors such as brand, quality, efficiency, etc. On an average, the cost of a solar panel in India ranges anywhere between Rs. 40,000-90,000.

4. How much money can I save by installing solar panels?

You can save approximately Rs. 500 per month with a 300 watts solar panel. If there are more panels then the electricity produced will also be more. Rs. 1500 is saved monthly with a 1kVa on grid system.

Conclusion

Investing in a solar panel is the most wise financial decision you can take to save your electricity bill alongside saving the environment. It procures natural energy from the sun to provide electricity to your home. You might be disappointed by the initial expenditure required for solar panels since it is quite high but eventually you will realise how much money it saves you.

In this article, we have attempted to provide you with all the information required to understand the price of installing a solar system.