3 kW Solar System Price in India (2026), With Subsidy
A 3 kW rooftop solar system costs roughly ₹1.65–2.25 lakh before subsidy. The central PM Surya Ghar subsidy is ₹78,000, which brings the cost to roughly ₹87,000–₹1.47 lakh in most states. These are indicative ranges to sanity-check a quote against — not a quote.
Indicative installed cost
₹1.65–2.25 lakh
Central subsidy
₹78,000
Cost after subsidy
₹87,000–₹1.47 lakh
PM Surya Ghar subsidy window: 31 March 2027
The ₹78,000 central residential subsidy is sanctioned through the end of FY 2026-27 (31 March 2027). Apply and get commissioned well before this date. No extension has been officially notified; MNRE has indicated the one-crore-household target may fall short by March 2027, which makes an extension plausible but not assured — plan around the published date.
As of October 2026 — confirm the current position on pmsuryaghar.gov.in.
What a 3 kW System Involves
- Panels: about 6 modules of around 545 W (the exact count follows the wattage you are quoted).
- Roof: about 240 sq ft of shadow-free area, at our rule of thumb of 80 sq ft per kW.
- Generation: about 12 units a day, roughly 360 units a month or 4,380 units a year. Output varies with state, shading and cleaning.
- Bill offset: at ₹7 per unit that is about ₹2,520 a month of electricity replaced. Use your own tariff in the subsidy calculator.
Cost After Subsidy in Your State
The central subsidy is the same everywhere. Where a state adds a top-up that we have been able to verify, it is included below.
| State | Total subsidy | Cost after subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| Most states (central subsidy only)No documented state top-up on our verified list | ₹78,000 | ₹87,000 – ₹1,47,000 |
| Bihar | ₹98,000₹78,000 central + ₹20,000 state | ₹67,000 – ₹1,27,000 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹1,08,000₹78,000 central + ₹30,000 state | ₹57,000 – ₹1,17,000 |
| DelhiGeneration incentive not included; a reported zero-upfront scheme may apply — see the Delhi page | ₹1,08,000₹78,000 central + ₹30,000 state | ₹57,000 – ₹1,17,000 |
Reported, conditional or announced state schemes for Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu could not be verified as general subsidies, so they are not included. Check the state subsidy page and confirm with your state agency.
Payback at Different Electricity Rates
Payback is the cost after subsidy divided by the yearly bill saving, assuming every unit generated replaces a unit you would have bought. The range runs from the low to the high end of the cost band.
| Your rate | Yearly saving | Payback (central subsidy only) |
|---|---|---|
| ₹6 per unit | ₹26,280 | 3.3 – 5.6 years |
| ₹8 per unit | ₹35,040 | 2.5 – 4.2 years |
| ₹10 per unit | ₹43,800 | 2 – 3.4 years |
Is 3 kW Right for You?
A 3 kW system is the most common home size and the point where the central subsidy reaches its maximum of ₹78,000. It suits a family home with a regular monthly bill and one or two air conditioners.
It is usually the best balance between subsidy and generation: you get the full subsidy at the lowest system size that earns it.
Watch out for
- Beyond 3 kW the central subsidy does not rise, so 3 kW gives the highest subsidy per kW of any size.
- The subsidy is paid after commissioning and inspection, not at purchase. Plan to pay the full installed cost first.
- Confirm the exact model’s ALMM and DCR status in writing: the subsidy requires domestically manufactured (DCR) modules, and a datasheet alone rarely states it.
What Your Quote Should Include
A quote far below the band is usually a thinner specification, not a better deal: our cost benchmarks note that quotes 30–40% below the applicable band typically reflect thinner structure steel, undersized cable or missing protection. Ask for line-by-line detail.
- Module make, model and wattage — and written confirmation of ALMM listing and DCR status for that exact model, because the subsidy needs domestically manufactured modules.
- Inverter make, rating and warranty term, and whether arc-fault (AFCI) protection is included and switched on.
- Mounting structure: steel grade, thickness, galvanising, and the wind speed it is designed for.
- DC and AC cable sizes, earthing and lightning protection, and surge protection — the items that get cut when a quote is cheap.
- Net meter, DISCOM approval and inspection charges, and whether the installer handles the subsidy paperwork.
- Who services the system, for how long, and what the warranty covers in writing.
More in how to read a solar quotation and 14 solar red flags.
Get the Number for Your State and Your Bill
The calculator adds verified state top-ups and uses your own electricity rate.
Open the subsidy calculatorFrequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a 3 kW solar system in India with subsidy?
Using our indicative cost band, a 3 kW residential system costs roughly ₹1.65–2.25 lakh before subsidy. The central PM Surya Ghar subsidy is ₹78,000, so the cost after subsidy is roughly ₹87,000–₹1.47 lakh in states with no verified top-up. Quotes vary with brand, structure and roof, so compare at least three written quotes.
How much subsidy do I get on a 3 kW solar system?
The central subsidy is ₹78,000 for 3 kW, which covers about 35%–47% of the indicative cost. Uttar Pradesh and Delhi add a verified state top-up on top; confirm any state scheme with your state nodal agency. As of October 2026, the central scheme runs to 31 March 2027.
How many panels are in a 3 kW solar system?
About six modules of around 545 W, which makes roughly 3.3 kWp. The exact number depends on the module wattage you are quoted.
How many units does a 3 kW solar system generate?
About 12 units a day by our rule of thumb, which is roughly 360 units a month. State peak sun hours range from about 4.2 to 5.8, so check your own state on the subsidy page.
Is 3 kW enough for a house?
It covers a typical monthly consumption of around 360 units. If your bill shows much more, the calculator can size a larger system, but the central subsidy stays at ₹78,000 above 3 kW.
Other System Sizes
Cost bands: HUM India Solar Databook, updated July 2026 — indicative market observation across Indian quotations, not a survey. Subsidy facts as of October 2026; confirm current rules on the official portal before paying. HUM is vendor-neutral: no installer or manufacturer pays to appear, and nothing here is a quote or an offer to sell.
Found this useful? Send it to someone planning solar.