1kW Solar Panel Cost Under PM Surya Ghar 2026
Understand the official ₹30,000 subsidy, benchmark-derived price reference, realistic vendor-quotation differences, roof and equipment requirements, loan EMI and the factors that determine actual electricity savings.
Last Updated: July 24, 2026
1kW Cost Questions Covered Here
- 1kW price summary
- Official benchmark-derived cost
- Quotation and net-cost examples
- What the price should include
- Possible extra costs
- Components in a 1kW system
- Roof and panel requirements
- Generation and savings factors
- Who should consider 1kW?
- 1kW versus 2kW
- How to receive ₹30,000 CFA
- Loan and EMI planning
- Quotation checklist
- Payback calculation
- Maintenance and warranty
- Common buying mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
1kW PM Surya Ghar Cost Summary
Standard Central Subsidy
₹30,000For an eligible 1kW residential rooftop-solar system in a standard-category State or Union Territory.
Special-Category CFA
₹33,000Applicable to the notified special-category States and Union Territories, subject to all scheme conditions.
Benchmark-Derived Reference
₹50,000Derived from the original 60% CFA description and ₹30,000 standard assistance. It is not a compulsory retail quotation.
Reference Balance After CFA
₹20,000₹50,000 reference minus ₹30,000 CFA. Actual payable cost depends on the final registered-vendor quotation and approved installation.
How the ₹50,000 Benchmark-Derived Reference Is Calculated
The official scheme announcement described assistance for capacity up to 2kW as 60% of the solar unit cost, while the notified standard CFA rate is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2kW. The implied benchmark reference can therefore be calculated as follows:
This calculation explains the policy benchmark. It does not prevent a vendor from quoting another amount based on component selection and site conditions. The consumer and vendor mutually decide the system design, additional work, project cost and payment terms.
Illustrative 1kW Quotation and Net-Cost Examples
The examples below show how the same ₹30,000 standard CFA changes the household’s effective project cost. They are calculations, not current market quotations or government-fixed prices.
| Illustrative vendor quotation | Standard CFA | Illustrative effective cost after CFA | What to investigate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹50,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹20,000 | Confirm that GST, structure, safety and metering support are genuinely included |
| ₹55,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹25,000 | Review module, inverter, structure and excluded charges |
| ₹60,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 | Check whether premium equipment or difficult site work explains the difference |
| ₹65,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹35,000 | Ask for an itemised quotation and compare equal specifications |
| ₹75,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹45,000 | Identify premium equipment, roof work, transport, long cable runs or hidden markup |
The effective-cost column assumes full eligible CFA is eventually approved and credited. It does not mean the vendor must wait for subsidy unless the bank or an approved implementation model specifically structures payment that way.
What a Complete 1kW Vendor Price Should Normally Describe
- Total eligible solar-module DC capacity
- Module manufacturer, model, wattage, quantity and DCR declaration
- Grid-connected inverter make, model, capacity and phase
- Mounting-structure type, material and protective finish
- DC and AC solar cable
- AC/DC distribution boxes, isolators and surge protection
- Earthing arrangement and electrodes
- Connectors, conduits, labels and small installation materials
- Transport, unloading and rooftop installation
- Testing and commissioning
- National Portal documentation and required photographs
- DISCOM inspection and metering coordination scope
- GST and all applicable taxes
- System and component warranties
- Five-year comprehensive maintenance commitment
Compare installers through the PM Surya Ghar registered-vendor guide . A low headline price can become expensive when protection, structure, taxes or meter-related work are excluded.
Possible Costs That May Be Extra
| Extra-cost item | When it may arise | Does it increase CFA? |
|---|---|---|
| Roof waterproofing | Old, cracked or leakage-prone roof | No separate CFA |
| Structural strengthening | Weak or unsuitable roof | No separate CFA |
| Elevated structure | Panels must be raised to preserve terrace use or avoid shade | No additional CFA beyond module capacity |
| Long cable run | Inverter and meter are far from the array | No separate CFA |
| Phase or service upgrade | Connection configuration needs utility action | No separate CFA |
| Meter or testing charge | Applicable DISCOM process requires payment | No separate CFA |
| Additional earthing or lightning protection | Site design and safety requirement | No separate CFA |
| Battery storage | Consumer wants backup or hybrid functionality | Battery capacity does not increase household CFA |
| Scaffolding or difficult access | High or inaccessible roof | No separate CFA |
| Travel or remote-location logistics | Vendor service centre is far from the site | No separate CFA |
Components in a Typical 1kW Grid-Connected System
Solar Modules
The total rated DC capacity should equal approximately 1kW. Modern high-wattage modules may allow the design to use only a small number of panels, but exact count depends on the selected model.
Grid-Tied Inverter
Converts module DC power into grid-compatible AC power and includes required protection and monitoring functions.
Mounting Structure
Holds the panels at a safe orientation and transfers wind and equipment loads to the roof.
Electrical Protection
Includes suitable isolation, surge protection, distribution boxes, earthing and compliant cabling.
Bidirectional Metering
The approved DISCOM process records grid import and export under the applicable metering arrangement.
Monitoring
Inverter display or application helps the consumer track generation, alerts and system operation.
How Much Roof Is Needed for a 1kW System?
There is no reliable universal roof-area number because module dimensions, orientation, tilt, access, shade, parapet walls, water tanks and mounting structure change the layout. A correct vendor survey should distinguish between:
- Actual panel surface area
- Spacing between rows or modules
- Safe access for cleaning and maintenance
- Distance from parapet walls and shaded objects
- Inverter and cable route
- Structural load and anchoring points
- Future roof use
- Fire and electrical access requirements
A vendor should not confirm a 1kW installation using only total terrace dimensions. The usable unshaded area is what matters. Where the roof is shared, rented or part of an apartment, written permission may also be needed.
How Much Electricity Can a 1kW System Generate?
Output cannot be guaranteed from capacity alone. The National Portal’s rooftop calculator is the correct starting point because generation depends on location and project assumptions. A 1kW system’s actual monthly output changes with:
- City and local solar resource
- Roof orientation and module tilt
- Shade from buildings, trees, tanks and parapets
- Temperature and seasonal weather
- Module and inverter efficiency
- Dust, pollution and cleaning frequency
- Cable and system losses
- Grid outages and inverter shutdown
- Equipment degradation over time
Official consumer guidance places a household using up to around 150 units per month in the 1–2kW suitability band, but that is a broad capacity guide—not a promise that every 1kW system will offset 150 units every month.
Which Household Should Consider a 1kW System?
Lower Monthly Consumption
A small household with electricity use broadly within the official 0–150-unit consideration range may begin by assessing 1kW.
Limited Usable Roof
1kW may suit a property where shade or physical constraints prevent a larger safe installation.
Budget-Limited Consumer
A smaller system can reduce upfront borrowing, but the household should compare whether a slightly larger system offers better long-term value.
Future Demand Is Stable
1kW is less suitable when the household plans air-conditioning, electric cooking, water heating or EV charging that will materially raise consumption.
1kW May Be Too Small When
- Monthly consumption is consistently well above the lower-consumption band.
- Daytime electricity demand is high and a larger roof is available.
- The household expects major new electrical appliances.
- Fixed installation costs make a slightly larger system more economical.
- The consumer chooses 1kW only because of a misleading “free system” advertisement.
1kW Versus 2kW Under PM Surya Ghar
| Comparison | 1kW system | 2kW system |
|---|---|---|
| Standard CFA | ₹30,000 | ₹60,000 |
| Benchmark-derived reference cost | ₹50,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Benchmark-derived balance after CFA | ₹20,000 | ₹40,000 |
| Roof requirement | Smaller usable area | Approximately double the module capacity, subject to layout |
| Generation potential | Lower | Approximately proportional before site-specific losses |
| Suitable-consumption guidance | Part of the official 1–2kW band for 0–150 units/month | May better serve the upper end of that band and future demand |
| Decision risk | Can become undersized if demand grows | Higher upfront project cost and roof need |
Do not choose 2kW merely because its subsidy is double. Compare actual consumption, roof, quoted net cost and future demand. The next article in this cluster will examine the 2kW price structure separately.
How to Receive the ₹30,000 Subsidy for 1kW
- Register the eligible residential consumer on the official PM Surya Ghar National Portal.
- Submit the rooftop-solar application using the correct State, DISCOM and consumer number.
- Select a vendor registered through the National Portal for the relevant service area.
- Install an eligible grid-connected system with DCR-compliant modules and the required technical and safety features.
- Upload the plant details, completion documents and required geo-tagged photographs.
- Complete DISCOM inspection, metering and portal approval.
- Redeem the activated e-token and submit valid consumer bank or linked-loan details.
- Track the ₹30,000 standard CFA or applicable special-category amount through the official dashboard.
Follow the online application guide , net-meter process , and subsidy-payment status guide for each stage.
Can You Finance a 1kW System With a Solar Loan?
Eligible consumers can explore the official JanSamarth rooftop-solar financing route after PM Surya Ghar registration. The Government’s March 2026 update described collateral-free nationalised-bank credit at repo rate plus 50 basis points—5.75% per annum at that time—with tenure up to 10 years.
Because the 1kW funding gap may be relatively small after CFA, compare loan fees and total interest with the benefit of paying partly from savings. A low principal can be disproportionately affected by processing fees, insurance or a long tenure.
| Illustrative loan principal | Illustrative tenure | Approximate EMI at 5.75% | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹20,000 | 3 years | About ₹606/month | Compare bank charges with the small principal |
| ₹30,000 | 3 years | About ₹909/month | Keep EMI affordable even during low-generation months |
| ₹40,000 | 5 years | About ₹769/month | Longer tenure lowers EMI but increases total interest |
| ₹50,000 | 5 years | About ₹961/month | Do not borrow for inflated or undocumented extras |
These are illustrative reducing-balance calculations. Check the PM Surya Ghar solar-loan guide for lender eligibility, current rate, documents and subsidy adjustment.
1kW Vendor Quotation Checklist
| Quotation field | What must be written |
|---|---|
| System capacity | Exact total module DC capacity, not only the phrase “1kW package” |
| Modules | Make, model, wattage, quantity, DCR status and warranty |
| Inverter | Make, model, capacity, phase, warranty and monitoring |
| Structure | Material, finish, height, anchoring and roof-work method |
| Electrical scope | Cables, boxes, isolators, surge protection, earthing and labels |
| Metering | Who pays, procures, tests and coordinates the meter |
| Portal support | Documents, photos, inspection and commissioning assistance |
| Taxes | GST-inclusive total and tax invoice commitment |
| Extra work | Rates for long cable, civil work, elevated structure and waterproofing |
| Payment | Milestone schedule and company bank account |
| Maintenance | Five-year service scope and local complaint response |
| Total price | Final amount before CFA, without a misleading guaranteed net-cost claim |
How to Estimate 1kW Payback Without Exaggerating Savings
“Useful solar units” can include direct self-consumption and export credit, but the value of those units may differ under State net metering or net billing. Use the current DISCOM tariff and settlement rule.
Payback Factors
- Actual CFA received
- Final project and extra-work cost
- Annual solar generation
- Direct daytime self-consumption
- Export-credit treatment
- Current electricity tariff and fixed charges
- Cleaning and maintenance cost
- Inverter replacement or repair provision
- Loan interest and processing fees
- Future electricity-price changes
Maintenance and Warranty Cost After Installation
The official model vendor-consumer agreement provides for five years of comprehensive operation and maintenance from commissioning, along with system and component warranty documentation. Confirm exactly what the vendor includes.
- Routine system inspection
- Generation and inverter-alarm review
- Loose connection and cable checks
- Structure and fastener inspection
- Protection and earthing checks
- Manufacturer warranty coordination
- Response time for complete shutdown
- Consumer cleaning responsibilities
- Travel or labour exclusions
- Service after the five-year period
Keep the invoice, module and inverter serial numbers, warranties, layout and electrical drawing listed in the PM Surya Ghar documents guide .
Common 1kW Buying Mistakes
Assuming ₹20,000 Is Fixed
The figure is a benchmark-derived balance, not a universal final quotation.
Choosing Capacity From Subsidy Alone
1kW can become undersized when consumption or future demand is higher.
Using an Unregistered Installer
A consumer claiming CFA must select a vendor registered on the National Portal.
Ignoring DCR Documentation
Non-DCR modules make a CFA-supported installation ineligible under the rule.
Comparing Only Price
Weak structure, missing protection and poor service can make a cheap system expensive.
Paying Full Advance
Use written milestone payments and retain leverage for documents and commissioning.
Believing Guaranteed Units
Generation varies with site, weather, shade and system performance.
Expecting a Zero Bill
Grid import, fixed charges and State billing rules can leave an amount payable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a 1kW solar system under PM Surya Ghar?
The scheme does not fix one nationwide vendor price. The subsidy structure implies a ₹50,000 benchmark reference, but actual quotations vary with equipment and site work.
How much subsidy is available for 1kW?
Standard-category CFA is ₹30,000. The notified special-category rate is ₹33,000, subject to eligibility and approval.
Is the final cost always ₹20,000 after subsidy?
No. ₹20,000 is the benchmark-derived balance from ₹50,000 minus ₹30,000. The actual effective cost depends on the vendor quotation and eligible CFA received.
Does the vendor deduct ₹30,000 immediately?
Under the standard National Portal consumer process, CFA follows installation, DISCOM verification, e-token redemption and bank validation. Do not assume an automatic upfront vendor discount.
How many panels are required for 1kW?
It depends on the wattage of the selected modules. The quotation should state the number of panels, wattage of each and exact total DC capacity.
How much roof area is needed?
Module dimensions, tilt, shade, access and structure affect the required area. Obtain a site-specific layout rather than relying on one universal square-foot figure.
How many electricity units will 1kW generate?
Output varies by location, orientation, shade, season, equipment and losses. Use the official rooftop calculator and ask the vendor for a site-specific annual estimate.
Is 1kW suitable for a household using 150 units per month?
Official guidance places 0–150-unit households in the 1–2kW consideration band. The right choice between 1kW and 2kW depends on local generation, roof and future demand.
Can I take a loan for 1kW?
Eligible registered consumers can explore JanSamarth and participating-lender finance. Compare fees and total interest because the post-subsidy funding gap may be small.
Does a battery increase the subsidy?
No. Additional battery capacity does not increase household CFA, which is based on eligible solar-module DC capacity.
Can an off-grid 1kW system receive PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
A completely off-grid system is not eligible for the standard residential CFA component covered by this guide.
Can I install 1kW myself and claim the subsidy?
A consumer claiming CFA must use a vendor registered on the National Portal and complete the official inspection and metering process.
Is net metering included in the system price?
It depends on the quotation and DISCOM process. Require the vendor to state meter, testing, utility-fee and coordination responsibilities separately.
Will a 1kW system make my bill zero?
Not necessarily. Generation, consumption, fixed charges and the State settlement method determine the final bill.
Compare the Complete 1kW Project, Not the Headline Price
Use ₹50,000 only as a benchmark-derived policy reference and ₹30,000 as the standard eligible CFA. The decision should be based on the final itemised project price, usable roof, actual consumption, equipment quality, registered-vendor service and applicable DISCOM billing rules.
Before buying, review the complete PM Surya Ghar guide , confirm the connection and load process , and track the project through the application-status guide .
Official Sources
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana National Portal
- Official Rooftop Solar Calculator
- PIB Scheme Approval, Unit-Cost Percentage and Application Information
- PIB Capacity and Monthly Consumption Guidance
- MNRE Amended CFA Rates for Residential Consumers
- PIB Current Loan and Simplified Approval Update – March 2026
Disclaimer
Wikisia is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, any DISCOM, bank, registered vendor, module manufacturer or government authority.
The ₹50,000 figure in this article is a benchmark-derived policy reference based on the official 60% unit-cost description and ₹30,000 standard CFA; it is not a fixed market price or guaranteed quotation. Actual project cost, generation, electricity savings, loan rate, EMI, metering fees and subsidy approval vary by location, equipment, vendor, roof, lender and DISCOM. Obtain current itemised quotations and verify all terms before signing, borrowing or paying.