Solar ROI Calculator
Calculate your solar installation costs, government subsidies, and potential savings in minutes
Accurate Costing
Based on current market rates
MNRE Subsidies
Auto-calculated as per guidelines
ROI Timeline
Realistic payback estimates
Custom Features
Add monitoring, battery & more
Calculate Your Solar ROI
Fill in the form to see your personalized solar installation estimate
Complete Guide to Solar ROI Calculator India
Understanding the return on investment (ROI) for solar panels is crucial before making this significant financial decision. Our solar ROI calculator India helps you determine exactly how much you'll save over 25 years, when you'll break even, and what government subsidies you qualify for.
Why Use a Solar ROI Calculator?
Solar panel installation is a 25-year investment. Our calculator eliminates guesswork by providing accurate projections based on your actual electricity consumption, roof area, location, and current market rates. Unlike generic calculators, we factor in India-specific variables like MNRE subsidies, state net metering policies, and regional electricity tariffs.
Real Examples: Solar ROI by Property Type
Example 1: 3kW Residential System (Delhi)
- Monthly Bill: ₹3,500 (350 units at ₹10/unit)
- System Cost: ₹1,80,000 (₹60,000/kW)
- MNRE Subsidy: ₹78,000 (40% for first 3kW)
- Net Investment: ₹1,02,000
- Annual Savings: ₹42,000
- Payback Period: 2.4 years
- 25-Year Savings: ₹10,50,000
Example 2: 50kW Commercial System (Mumbai)
- Monthly Bill: ₹4,00,000 (40,000 units at ₹10/unit)
- System Cost: ₹27,50,000 (₹55,000/kW)
- Subsidy: None (commercial not eligible)
- Tax Benefit: ₹11,00,000 (40% accelerated depreciation)
- Annual Savings: ₹48,00,000
- Payback Period: 3.4 years
- 25-Year Savings: ₹1,20,00,000
Example 3: 200kW Industrial System (Pune)
- Monthly Bill: ₹18,00,000 (1,80,000 units at ₹10/unit)
- System Cost: ₹1,00,00,000 (₹50,000/kW)
- Tax Benefit: ₹40,00,000 (accelerated depreciation)
- Annual Savings: ₹2,16,00,000
- Payback Period: 2.8 years
- 25-Year Savings: ₹54,00,00,000
Factors Affecting Solar ROI in India
- Electricity Tariff: Higher current bills = faster payback. Commercial rates (₹8-12/unit) recover costs quicker than residential (₹6-10/unit).
- Solar Irradiation: States like Rajasthan, Gujarat get 5.5-6 kWh/kWp/day vs 4-4.5 in Kerala, affecting generation.
- Government Subsidy: Residential systems up to 10kW get 40% (0-3kW) or 20% (3-10kW) central subsidy, reducing payback by 1-2 years.
- Net Metering Policy: States with annual rollover (Gujarat, Haryana) vs quarterly (Maharashtra) impact savings.
- System Quality: Tier 1 panels (25-year warranty) vs lower grades affect long-term returns.
- Maintenance Costs: ₹3,000-5,000/kW annually for cleaning, inspection impacts total ROI.
How to Improve Your Solar ROI
- Maximize Subsidy: Residential users should prioritize 3kW first (40% subsidy) before scaling up.
- Choose Right System Size: Don't oversize. Match to 80-90% of consumption for optimal net metering benefits.
- Leverage Tax Benefits: Commercial/industrial can claim 40% accelerated depreciation in Year 1.
- Timing: Install before tariff hikes. Every ₹1 increase in electricity rate improves ROI by 6-8 months.
- Quality Components: Tier 1 panels cost 10-15% more but generate 5-8% more over lifetime.
- Financing: Use green loans (7-9% interest) rather than personal loans (11-14%) to preserve upfront capital.
Understanding the Calculator Results
When you use our solar ROI calculator, you'll receive a detailed breakdown:
- System Capacity: Recommended kW based on your consumption and roof area
- Total Cost: Installation cost including panels, inverter, mounting, labor, permits
- Subsidy Amount: Exact MNRE subsidy you qualify for based on property type and system size
- Net Investment: Out-of-pocket cost after subsidy
- Annual Generation: Expected kWh production based on location and system efficiency
- Annual Savings: Electricity bill reduction including net metering credits
- Payback Period: Years to recover your net investment
- 25-Year ROI: Total profit over system lifespan including maintenance costs
- Environmental Impact: CO2 reduction and equivalent trees planted
How Our Solar Calculator Works
Accurate Pricing Model
- ✓Base cost: ₹50-60k per kW installed capacity
- ✓Location-based pricing for metro vs tier-2 cities
- ✓Timeline adjustments for urgent installations
- ✓Different rates for residential, commercial & industrial
MNRE Subsidy Calculation
- ✓Residential up to 3kW: 40% subsidy (max ₹78,000)
- ✓Residential 3-10kW: 20% subsidy
- ✓Commercial & industrial: No central subsidy
- ✓State-specific subsidies may apply separately
ROI & Savings
- ✓Residential payback: 4-6 years typically
- ✓Commercial payback: 3-5 years typically
- ✓25+ year system lifespan with proper maintenance
- ✓Based on current electricity rates in India
Additional Features
- ✓Solar monitoring system: Real-time production tracking
- ✓Comprehensive insurance: Panel damage protection
- ✓Maintenance plan: Annual cleaning & inspection
- ✓Battery backup: Lithium-ion storage options
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on average market conditions and typical system specifications. Actual costs may vary based on site-specific factors, chosen equipment brands, installation complexity, and current market conditions. Government subsidies are subject to availability and eligibility criteria. For a precise quote tailored to your specific requirements, please request a detailed consultation with our solar experts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar ROI
What is a good ROI for solar panels in India?
A good solar ROI in India typically ranges from 15-25% annually. Residential systems with subsidy see payback in 3-5 years, while commercial systems achieve 2-4 year payback due to higher tariffs and tax benefits. Over 25 years, expect 300-500% total returns depending on location, system quality, and electricity tariff escalation.
How accurate are solar calculator results?
Our calculator provides 85-90% accuracy for most cases. Variations occur due to site-specific factors like shading, roof orientation, actual panel degradation, and local electricity tariff changes. For precise estimates, request a free site assessment where we measure exact parameters and provide guaranteed performance projections.
Does the calculator include government subsidy?
Yes. For residential systems, the calculator automatically applies MNRE central subsidy: 40% (₹18,000/kW) for first 3kW and 20% (₹9,000/kW) for 3-10kW, with maximum ₹78,000 for 3kW systems. Commercial and industrial systems don't receive capital subsidy but can claim 40% accelerated depreciation which our calculator factors into ROI calculations.
What is the typical payback period for solar in India?
Residential: 3-5 years with subsidy, 5-7 years without. Commercial: 3-4 years. Industrial: 2-3 years. Factors affecting payback include electricity tariff (higher = faster), system size (larger = economies of scale), location solar irradiation, and financing method. States with high tariffs like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu see fastest payback.
How does net metering affect my solar ROI?
Net metering significantly improves ROI by crediting you for excess solar generation exported to the grid. In states with annual rollover (Gujarat, Haryana), you can bank credits for 12 months. Quarterly settlement states (Maharashtra) limit banking to 3 months. Without net metering, you can only offset daytime consumption, reducing overall savings by 30-40%.
Should I include battery storage in my solar system?
For grid-connected systems with net metering, batteries typically reduce ROI due to high upfront cost (₹90,000-1,20,000 per 5kWh) and replacement after 5-7 years. Batteries make sense only if: (1) frequent power cuts, (2) time-of-use tariffs with expensive peak hours, (3) poor net metering policy, or (4) complete grid independence is priority over economics. For most cases, net metering is more economical than batteries.
How do I use the solar ROI calculator?
Simply enter your: (1) property type (residential/commercial/industrial), (2) monthly electricity bill or consumption, (3) available roof area, (4) location/state, (5) timeline preference. The calculator then recommends optimal system size, shows total cost breakdown, subsidy/tax benefits, payback period, and 25-year savings. You can also toggle add-ons like monitoring, insurance, and maintenance plans to see their impact on ROI.