What does a 1 kW solar system cost in India in 2026
A 1 kW grid-connected home solar system works out to about ₹50,000 at the MNRE benchmark cost used to compute the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, while real installed quotes in 2026 run about ₹55,000–70,000 including GST. The central subsidy on 1 kW is a fixed ₹30,000, so the out-of-pocket cost is roughly ₹25,000–40,000 — the cheapest entry into net-metered rooftop solar.
TL;DR: MNRE benchmark ₹50,000 (ex-GST); typical quotes ₹55,000–70,000 incl GST; central subsidy ₹30,000 fixed at 1 kW; net cost about ₹25,000–40,000; generation ~1,500–1,600 units a year in North India (125–130 a month); payback roughly 3–5 years for a home on regular tariffs; PM Surya Ghar runs until 31 March 2027.
Last verified: 10 November 2026
Jump to a section
- How the PM Surya Ghar subsidy works on 1 kW
- What you will actually be quoted for 1 kW
- What a 1 kW system generates and saves
- State top-ups on a 1 kW system
- Who should buy a 1 kW system
- Roof area, panels and inverter
- How to apply and claim the subsidy
- Frequently Asked Questions
How the PM Surya Ghar subsidy works on 1 kW
The PM Surya Ghar central financial assistance (CFA) is computed from an MNRE benchmark cost, not from your invoice. Effective 13 February 2024, the benchmark for the first 2 kW is ₹50,000/kW and the CFA is ₹30,000/kW:
| System size | Benchmark cost | Central CFA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹50,000 | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹1,00,000 | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW | ₹1,45,000 | ₹78,000 (cap) |
Source: MNRE's PM Surya Ghar guidelines. In special-category states (J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand and others) the per-kW CFA is ₹33,000, so 1 kW gets ₹33,000 there.
Two cautions:
- The benchmark is notional — it exists to compute the subsidy, not to cap or guarantee your quote. Actual prices depend on module brand, structure, cabling length and city.
- GST sits on top of the benchmark. Solar modules carry 5% GST since 22 September 2025; a turnkey residential contract works out to roughly 8.9% effective GST under the 70:30 component split. Ask the vendor for the module vs EPC-services split in writing.
What you will actually be quoted for 1 kW
Per-kW price anchors published in 2026:
| Anchor | Implied per-kW rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Haryana energy minister: typical 1 kW residential plant | ₹55,000 | Times of India, June 2026 |
| Central Bank of India loan scheme assumption | ₹70,000 | Central Bank of India |
| CREST's Chandigarh 3 kWp example (₹1.8 lakh total) | ₹60,000 | Times of India, February 2026 |
That gives a quote band of about ₹55,000–70,000 including GST for 1 kW. Small systems carry the highest per-kW rates of any size — structure, metering, application and labour costs spread over fewer kilowatts — so expect the upper half of the band rather than the lower. A turnkey quote should include panels, inverter, mounting structure, cabling, the net-metering meter and application support, and installation.
A quote far below ₹50,000 for 1 kW deserves scrutiny: check the module brand and wattage, the inverter warranty, and whether the DISCOM meter and net-metering application are genuinely included.
What a 1 kW system generates and saves
In Delhi-NCR and Haryana, a well-installed rooftop plant generates about 1,500–1,600 units per kW per year — MNRE's normative planning figure is 4–5.5 units/kW/day on clear sunny days (city-wise spread here). A 1 kW plant therefore generates roughly 1,500–1,600 units a year, or 125–130 units a month averaged over the year.
Worked example, with the assumptions stated:
- Net investment ₹30,000 (₹60,000 quote minus the ₹30,000 CFA)
- Generation 1,450 units/year (conservative, below the band)
- Value of offset units ₹5.4/unit (the tariff value used in CREST's published example)
Annual savings: 1,450 × ₹5.4 = ₹7,830. Payback: ₹30,000 ÷ ₹7,830 ≈ 3.8 years; on a ₹70,000 quote (₹40,000 net) about 5.1 years. Actual savings depend on how much of your daytime consumption the solar output offsets — our payback and ROI guide explains the mechanics.
State top-ups on a 1 kW system
| State | State top-up on 1 kW | Total support |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹26,000 | ₹56,000 |
| Haryana | ₹19,500 (bill-credited instalments) | ₹49,500 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹15,000 | ₹45,000 |
| Rajasthan | ₹17,000 (flat) | ₹47,000 |
| Punjab, Himachal, Uttarakhand | none currently | ₹30,000 |
Every amount, with its government source and payment mechanics, is in our PM Surya Ghar state top-up guide. In Delhi, where the state top-up matches ₹26,000/kW, combined support of ₹56,000 covers the entire 1 kW benchmark — a well-specified 1 kW plant can be close to free for eligible Delhi households.
Who should buy a 1 kW system
- Households using up to 150 units a month — the scheme's own sizing table places this band at 1–2 kW (PM Surya Ghar CFA structure).
- Low-slab consumers whose bill is mostly fixed charges plus a few hundred units — solar offsets the expensive top slabs first.
- Budget-first buyers: at ₹25,000–40,000 net, 1 kW is the lowest-risk way to start. But if consumption is rising — a second AC, an EV — check the 2 kW and 3 kW economics first, because the CFA per kW is identical up to 2 kW and capacity later means a second round of application costs.
Roof area, panels and inverter
A 1 kW system needs about 6–8 sq m of shadow-free roof (CREST's 3 kW example used 18–22 sq m) and roughly 2–3 modules of 500–575 Wp each. CFA is paid on the rated DC capacity of the modules, not the inverter size — so a 1.15 kWp panel array with a 1 kVA inverter earns the subsidy on the module capacity, provided the inverter meets the scheme's technical specifications.
How to apply and claim the subsidy
Register on the national portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) with your electricity account number, choose an MNRE-registered vendor, install with domestic-content (DCR) modules, clear the DISCOM inspection, and the CFA arrives by direct bank transfer — our step-by-step application guide covers every screen, and the status-check guide covers tracking. Collateral-free financing at repo + 0.50% (5.75% p.a. at the last PIB update, 10-year tenure) is available for systems up to 3 kW — see the solar loan guide for homeowners. The scheme is approved until 31 March 2027 (MNRE guidelines).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a 1 kW solar system after subsidy?
About ₹25,000–40,000 out of pocket in 2026: the ₹30,000 central subsidy is deducted from a gross price that sits between the ₹50,000 MNRE benchmark and typical quotes of ₹55,000–70,000 including GST.
How much subsidy will I get on 1 kW under PM Surya Ghar?
₹30,000 — paid by direct bank transfer after installation and DISCOM inspection. In special-category states the per-kW CFA is ₹33,000. State top-ups are additional: Delhi ₹26,000, Haryana ₹19,500 (bill-credited), Rajasthan ₹17,000, UP ₹15,000.
Is a 1 kW solar system enough for my home?
If your consumption is up to about 150 units a month, yes. Between 150 and 300 units, a 2–3 kW system is the better fit; above 300 units, look at 3 kW or larger.
How many solar panels are needed for a 1 kW system?
About 2–3 modules of 500–575 Wp each, occupying roughly 6–8 sq m of shadow-free roof.
How much does a 1 kW solar system generate per month?
Around 125–130 units a month averaged over the year in Delhi-NCR and Haryana, peaking near 150–160 units in peak summer months and dropping to about 90–95 in December–January.
Is 1 kW solar worth it, or should I buy a bigger system?
For a low-consumption home, 1 kW pays back in roughly 3–5 years and the per-kW economics are identical to larger systems up to 2 kW (₹30,000/kW CFA). If your consumption or roof allows 2–3 kW, larger systems deliver more total savings and spread fixed costs thinner — see the 2 kW and 3 kW guides before deciding.
What happens after 31 March 2027?
MNRE has approved PM Surya Ghar for implementation until 31 March 2027. Systems must be installed and commissioned inside the window to carry the CFA; anything beyond depends on an extension, which has not been announced.
Ready to Go Solar?
Get a free consultation and custom quote for your industrial or commercial facility. Start saving on energy costs today.
Get Free Quote