Price, subsidy and output
Key takeaways
- Typical installed price: ₹2.3 lakh to ₹2.4 lakh with DCR panels, before subsidy.
- PM Surya Ghar subsidy: ₹78,000 (₹85,800 in hill and North East states).
- You pay about ₹1.52 lakh to ₹1.62 lakh after subsidy.
- Makes about 12 units a day, 360 a month, on 300 sq ft of shade-free roof.
3 kW solar system price in 2026
A 3 kW on-grid rooftop system with DCR panels typically costs ₹2.3 lakh to ₹2.4 lakh fully installed in 2026. That covers 6 panels of 540 Wp, an on-grid inverter, the mounting structure, wiring, earthing, the net meter application and installation. After the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar subsidy you pay about ₹1.52 lakh to ₹1.62 lakh, or ₹50,667 to ₹54,000 per kW.
3 kW is the most common home size because it collects the full ₹78,000 subsidy. It suits homes using 300 to 400 units a month, which is typical once there is one AC.
| 3 kW system | |
|---|---|
| Installed price (before subsidy) | ₹2.3 lakh to ₹2.4 lakh |
| Central subsidy, most states | ₹78,000 |
| Central subsidy, special category states | ₹85,800 |
| Your cost after subsidy | ₹1.52 lakh to ₹1.62 lakh |
| Panels (540 Wp) | 6 |
| Shade-free roof | 300 sq ft |
How many units does a 3 kW system make?
Across India, a 3 kW system makes about 11.8 units a day, 360 a month and 4,320 a year. That is enough for fans, lights, a fridge, a TV and one 1.5 tonne inverter AC used six hours a night, about 310 to 360 units a month. Output depends on your state:
| State | Units a day | Units a month | Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 12.4 | 378 | ₹78,000 |
| Maharashtra | 11.9 | 363 | ₹78,000 |
| Rajasthan | 12.9 | 392 | ₹78,000 |
| Gujarat | 12.4 | 378 | ₹78,000 |
| Karnataka | 12.0 | 365 | ₹78,000 |
| Tamil Nadu | 11.8 | 360 | ₹78,000 |
| Delhi | 12.8 | 388 | ₹78,000 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 12.1 | 368 | ₹78,000 |
| Bihar | 12.1 | 367 | ₹78,000 |
| West Bengal | 11.2 | 340 | ₹78,000 |
| Kerala | 10.6 | 322 | ₹78,000 |
| Punjab | 12.7 | 386 | ₹78,000 |
| Haryana | 12.8 | 390 | ₹78,000 |
| Telangana | 11.9 | 362 | ₹78,000 |
| Odisha | 11.3 | 344 | ₹78,000 |
| Assam | 10.5 | 320 | ₹85,800 |
Payback at your electricity rate
If you use all 360 units yourself, the saving and payback at different per-unit rates are:
| You pay per unit | Saving a year | Payback (years) |
|---|---|---|
| ₹6 | ₹25,920 | 5.9–6.2 |
| ₹7 | ₹30,240 | 5.0–5.4 |
| ₹8 | ₹34,560 | 4.4–4.7 |
| ₹9 | ₹38,880 | 3.9–4.2 |
EMI on a 3 kW solar loan
With 10% down and the rest on a 10-year loan at 7.9%, the EMI is about ₹2,555 a month on a loan of ₹2.12 lakh. Put the ₹78,000 subsidy into the loan when it arrives and the EMI drops to about ₹1,613. Check the numbers for your quote in the solar EMI calculator.
What to check in the quote
- DCR panels on the ALMM list, named by make and model.
- Inverter make, model and warranty (usually 5 to 10 years).
- Structure height and material; a raised structure costs more but keeps the terrace usable.
- Who files the net meter application and what the DISCOM charges for it.
- Five years of free maintenance, which registered PM Surya Ghar vendors must provide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of a 3 kW solar system with subsidy?
About ₹1.52 lakh to ₹1.62 lakh after the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar subsidy, on a typical installed price of ₹2.3 lakh to ₹2.4 lakh in 2026.
How many units does a 3 kW solar system produce per day?
About 11.8 units a day on average across India, or 360 a month. Sunnier states like Rajasthan make about 9% more; Kerala and the North East about 10% less.
How much roof space does a 3 kW solar system need?
About 300 sq ft of shade-free roof for 6 panels of 540 Wp, including space to walk and clean.
How much subsidy is there on 3 kW?
₹78,000 in most states and ₹85,800 in special category states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the North East.
What is the EMI for a 3 kW solar system?
About ₹2,555 a month over 10 years at 7.9% with 10% down, falling to about ₹1,613 if the subsidy repays part of the loan.
Compare other sizes: 1 kW · 2 kW · 4 kW · 5 kW · 10 kW. Not sure of the size? Start from your bill in the solar calculator. How we work out every figure: how we calculate.