Key takeaways
- A solar panel costs about ₹18 to ₹26 per watt without DCR and ₹24 to ₹34 per watt with DCR, including GST, in October 2026.
- A 550 W panel costs roughly ₹9,900 to ₹14,300 without DCR and ₹13,200 to ₹18,700 with DCR.
- Only DCR panels (made with Indian cells) qualify for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy. That is why the same wattage can cost ₹4,000 more.
- Panels are only about a third of what a rooftop system costs. For the full installed price by size, see the system price page.
In October 2026 a solar panel in India costs about ₹18 to ₹26 per watt if it uses imported cells and ₹24 to ₹34 per watt if it is a DCR panel made with Indian cells, including 5% GST. A typical 550 W panel works out to about ₹9,900 to ₹18,700 depending on which kind it is.
This page is about the price of the panels themselves, the figure you see on a brand store or a dealer’s rate list. If you want what a complete rooftop system costs with installation and subsidy, go to solar system price by size.
Solar panel price per watt, by type
Two things set the per-watt price: whether the cells are made in India (DCR) and which cell technology the panel uses. Panel size matters less than people expect once you are above about 400 W.
| Panel type | Without DCR | With DCR (Indian cells) |
|---|---|---|
| Mono PERC | ₹18–23 per watt | ₹24–28 per watt |
| TOPCon (N-type) | ₹21–26 per watt | ₹25–30 per watt |
| Bifacial version of either | Add about ₹1–2 per watt | Add about ₹1–2 per watt |
Factories sell in bulk for less. At the end of September 2026, DCR TOPCon panels traded at about ₹22 to ₹25 per watt and non-DCR TOPCon at about ₹13 to ₹14 per watt before GST. The gap between those figures and the retail ranges above is freight, GST, the dealer’s margin and warranty support.
Solar panel price by wattage
Most homes now use panels between 540 W and 600 W. Fewer panels means less mounting structure and wiring, which is why installers prefer them.
| Panel | Without DCR | With DCR |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | ₹7,200–10,400 | ₹9,600–13,600 |
| 450 W | ₹8,100–11,700 | ₹10,800–15,300 |
| 500 W | ₹9,000–13,000 | ₹12,000–17,000 |
| 540 W | ₹9,700–14,000 | ₹13,000–18,400 |
| 550 W | ₹9,900–14,300 | ₹13,200–18,700 |
| 600 W | ₹10,800–15,600 | ₹14,400–20,400 |
A 3 kW home system usually uses six 550 W panels (3.3 kW) or five 600 W panels. With DCR panels at ₹26 a watt, six 550 W panels cost about ₹86,000. The full system costs ₹2.30 to ₹2.40 lakh, so the panels are roughly 35 to 40% of it; the inverter, structure, wiring, net meter and labour make up the rest. See the 3 kW system price for the complete breakdown.
DCR vs non-DCR: why the same panel costs more
A DCR panel uses solar cells made in India. Only DCR panels qualify for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, and India makes far fewer cells than panels, so DCR panels carry a premium of about ₹8 to ₹11 per watt at the factory gate. On a 550 W panel that is ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 more.
For a subsidised home system the premium pays for itself: six DCR panels cost about ₹25,000 more, and the subsidy on 3 kW is ₹78,000. Without DCR panels you get no subsidy at all. Read DCR panels and ALMM for how to check a panel before it goes on your roof.
Which rule applies to you
- Home system with the PM Surya Ghar subsidy: DCR panels only.
- Home system with net metering but no subsidy: imported-cell panels are allowed if the system is commissioned by 31 December 2026. After that, cells must come from makers on the government’s ALMM List-II.
- Applications on the PM Surya Ghar portal that choose “Give It Up”: exempt from the cell rule until 31 March 2027.
- Off-grid system with no net meter: the ALMM lists do not apply, so any BIS-certified panel can be used.
Prices by brand
Brand matters less than DCR status and cell type. The big Indian makers sell DCR panels in a similar band, and the difference you see on a quote usually comes from the warranty, the dealer and whether the panel is bifacial.
| Brand | DCR panels, per watt | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waaree | ₹25–28 | PERC and TOPCon, sold through its own store and dealers |
| Adani | ₹25–27 | TOPCon and bifacial |
| Tata Power Solar | ₹26–31 | Mostly DCR panels, usually sold with installation |
| Vikram Solar | ₹24–25 | PERC and TOPCon |
| Luminous | ₹21–27 | DCR in 540–550 W PERC; its TOPCon range is non-DCR |
| UTL | about ₹26 | DCR in bifacial |
Compare specifications, warranties and DCR status side by side on compare solar panels.
Small panels cost more per watt
Panels under about 250 W are made in smaller volumes and carry the same frame, glass and junction box costs, so the price per watt is roughly double.
| Panel | Typical price | Per watt |
|---|---|---|
| 50 W | ₹2,200–2,700 | ₹40–55 |
| 100 W | about ₹4,300 | about ₹43 |
| 200 W | about ₹8,300 | about ₹41 |
| 550 W, for comparison | ₹9,900–18,700 | ₹18–34 |
Why two quotes for the “same” panel differ
- DCR or not. The biggest single difference, ₹8 to ₹11 per watt.
- Cell type. TOPCon costs a little more than Mono PERC and produces slightly more in heat. See whether the TOPCon premium pays back in your state.
- Bifacial and glass-glass. Add ₹1 to ₹2 per watt; they pay back mainly on raised structures with light-coloured roofs below.
- Warranty. Product warranties range from about 2.5 years to 12 years even when the 25 to 30-year output warranty looks the same.
- GST shown or not. Store prices usually include 5% GST; dealer per-watt rates often do not.
- Old stock. Mono PERC panels selling below ₹19 a watt are usually stock being cleared. That is fine for an off-grid set-up but check the manufacturing date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of a solar panel in India in 2026?
About ₹18 to ₹26 per watt for panels with imported cells and ₹24 to ₹34 per watt for DCR panels with Indian cells, including GST, as of October 2026.
What is the price of a 550 watt solar panel?
Roughly ₹9,900 to ₹14,300 without DCR and ₹13,200 to ₹18,700 with DCR, including GST.
What is the price of a 500 watt solar panel?
Roughly ₹9,000 to ₹13,000 without DCR and ₹12,000 to ₹17,000 with DCR, including GST.
Why are DCR panels more expensive?
They use solar cells made in India, which are in short supply, so they cost about ₹8 to ₹11 more per watt at the factory. They are the only panels that qualify for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
Is GST included in solar panel prices?
GST on solar panels is 5%. Brand stores usually show prices including GST; dealer per-watt rates often exclude it, so ask.
Is the panel price the same as the system price?
No. Panels are about 35 to 40% of a home rooftop system. The inverter, mounting structure, wiring, net meter and installation make up the rest.