5 kW Rooftop Solar System Price in India 2026: Cost, Subsidy and Savings

By the SolarConnect India team (Techsr Enterprise, Serampore) | Draft, 13 Oct 2026

If your monthly electricity bill is above roughly 300–400 units, or you run two ACs, a geyser or an EV charger, a 3 kW system often falls short. That is when most families start asking about 5 kW rooftop solar. This guide answers the real questions buyers ask us: what it costs in 2026, how much subsidy you get, how many units it makes, and whether it is worth it.

Not sure what size or subsidy fits your home? Try our free solar calculators and myth checker.

Quick note on prices: solar prices change with panel type (DCR or non-DCR), brand, structure height, state and installer. Every price range below is approximate and is meant only to help you plan. Always get a written quotation.

How much does a 5 kW rooftop solar system cost in India in 2026?

For a 5 kW on-grid system with DCR panels (needed for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy), market quotes in 2026 usually fall around ₹2.6 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh before subsidy (approximate). Independent 2026 guides put the net cost after the central subsidy at roughly ₹1.7 lakh to ₹2.7 lakh (source: Earth Energy Log, PM Surya Ghar 2026 guide).

What pushes the price up or down:

• Panel type: DCR panels cost more than non-DCR, but only DCR qualifies for subsidy. See our DCR vs non-DCR guide.
• Panel technology: TOPCon and bifacial modules cost a little more per watt.
• Inverter brand and warranty.
• Mounting structure: an elevated structure (so you can use the roof below) costs more than a low-tilt one.
• Cable runs, earthing and lightning arrestor.
• State, DISCOM fees and net-meter charges.

A hybrid system with batteries costs significantly more. If you are unsure, start on-grid and add storage later (see can you add a battery later?).

How much subsidy will I get on a 5 kW system under PM Surya Ghar?

This is the most common misunderstanding. Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the central financial assistance (CFA) for residential homes is:

Source: MNRE CFA structure, pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Special category states get a higher rate (₹33,000/kW and ₹19,800/kW as per the scheme guidelines).

So for a 5 kW system, the central subsidy is ₹78,000, the same as for 3 kW. The MNRE guidelines give the example directly: even a 6 kW home system gets ₹30,000 × 2 + ₹18,000 × 1 = ₹78,000.

Some states add their own top-up. Check our state-wise solar subsidy guide before you budget.

Subsidy conditions to remember:

• Apply on the National Portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) before installation.
• Use a registered vendor and ALMM-listed DCR panels.
• The subsidy reaches your bank account via DBT after DISCOM inspection and net-meter commissioning. Track it with our subsidy status guide.

How many units does a 5 kW solar system generate per day?

A widely used Indian rule of thumb is about 4 units (kWh) per kW per day on a clear, well-oriented rooftop. That gives:

• About 20 units/day for 5 kW
• About 550–650 units/month (approximate)
• About 6,500–7,500 units/year (approximate)

Actual output depends on your location, shading, tilt, dust and season. Rajasthan and Gujarat usually produce more, and monsoon months produce less. For the full calculation, read how many units a 1 kW system produces per day, or try the SolarConnect Solar Calculator with your own bill.

How much roof space do I need for 5 kW?

Plan on roughly 10 square metres (about 100 sq ft) of shadow-free roof per kW. A 5 kW system therefore needs around 50 sq m, or about 500 sq ft, of usable roof. With higher-wattage panels (550 W and above) you may need slightly less. Water tanks, staircases and neighbouring buildings cause shade, so a site survey matters more than the drawing.

What can a 5 kW solar system run?

A 5 kW on-grid system offsets your daytime and monthly consumption. It does not "run" fixed appliances by itself, because the grid balances it through net metering. In practical terms, its monthly generation can cover a home that uses:

• 2–3 ACs for normal hours
• Refrigerator, washing machine, geyser, fans, lights and TV
• A pump or a small home office

For a deeper look at AC loads, see can a 3 kW solar system run a 1.5 ton AC.

How much will I save, and what is the payback period?

Here is a simple worked example. These are illustrative numbers, not a promise.

• Generation: about 600 units/month
• Tariff assumed: ₹7–8 per unit (residential slab tariffs vary by state and DISCOM)
• Monthly bill reduction: roughly ₹4,200–₹4,800
• Yearly saving: roughly ₹50,000–₹58,000

With a net cost of about ₹1.9–2.5 lakh after subsidy, the payback is often in the 4–5 year range. Panels typically carry 25-year performance warranties, so the years after payback are largely savings. Your real payback depends on your tariff slab, your net-metering rules and how much power you use during the day. Read our net metering guide.

Should I choose 5 kW or 3 kW?

Because the subsidy stops increasing after 3 kW, many families ask whether 5 kW is still worth it.

• Choose 3 kW if your bill is about 250–350 units/month. It gives you the maximum subsidy at the lowest cost. See our 3 kW guide.
• Choose 5 kW if you use 450+ units/month, plan an EV, or have high summer AC use. The extra 2 kW has no subsidy, but it still cuts your bill every month.

MNRE's own guidance suggests "above 3 kW" for homes consuming more than 300 units a month.

Can I get a loan for a 5 kW system?

Yes. Under PM Surya Ghar, public sector banks offer collateral-free rooftop solar loans for residential systems. Interest rates and limits depend on the bank and capacity, so confirm with your bank. Our solar finance guide explains EMI options and documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the subsidy on a 5 kW solar system in 2026? The central PM Surya Ghar subsidy for a 5 kW home system is ₹78,000, the same as for 3 kW, because there is no extra central subsidy above 3 kW. Some states give an additional top-up.

2. What is the approximate price of a 5 kW on-grid solar system in India? Quotes commonly range around ₹2.6–3.5 lakh before subsidy (approximate) for DCR on-grid systems. The final price depends on brand, structure and state.

3. How many units does a 5 kW solar system produce per month? About 550–650 units per month on a good rooftop (approximate, based on about 4 units per kW per day). Output varies by location and season.

4. How much roof area is needed for 5 kW solar? Roughly 500 sq ft (about 50 sq m) of shadow-free roof.

5. Is a 5 kW solar system worth it for a home? It is usually worth it if your consumption is above about 450 units a month. Payback is often 4–5 years (illustrative), and panel warranties typically run 25 years.

Get a 5 kW quote from SolarConnect India

SolarConnect India (Techsr Enterprise, Serampore) works with homeowners and dealers across India. Our team can check your bill, roof and subsidy eligibility, and share a written quotation with DCR panels from trusted brands. Start with the Solar Calculator, or find a partner in your state: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and more.

Talk to the SolarConnect team →

Disclaimer: prices, savings and payback figures are approximate and for guidance only. Subsidy rules are as per MNRE/PM Surya Ghar at the time of writing; verify them on pmsuryaghar.gov.in.

Sources

• MNRE CFA structure, PM Surya Ghar: https://pmsg-production-public.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/CFA_structure20240307.pdf
• PM Surya Ghar scheme guidelines (CFA, special-category rates, 6 kW example)
• Earth Energy Log, PM Surya Ghar 2026 guide (net-cost ranges): https://earthenergylog.com/articles/pm-surya-ghar-yojana-complete-guide-2026
• National Portal: https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in