Investing in solar power can reduce electricity expenses for Indian homes and businesses over the long run. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the average price range, key components, cost influencing factors, available subsidies, electricity savings, and return on investment for 3000W (3kW) solar panel systems in India.
Average Price Range for 3kW Solar System
The upfront capital cost of installing a complete rooftop or ground-mounted 3000W solar system in India, including all components like solar panels, inverter, batteries, structure and accessories ranges between Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 ($1,900 to $3,100)^^.
The per watt solar panel price comes to around Rs. 50-85 for a 3kW system. Detailed price breakdown:
- Solar panels – Rs. 75,000 to 90,000
- Inverters – Rs. 30,000 to 50,000
- Batteries (for off-grid) – Rs. 30,000 to 60,000
- Balance of system (BOS) and accessories – Rs. 15,000 to 25,000^
GST at 5% is applicable on all system components.
Key Factors Influencing 3kW Solar System Price
Several technical and operational factors impact the final pricing for 3kW solar power systems:
Type of Solar Panel
Monocrystalline silicon panels (16-20% efficiency) are more expensive at Rs. 75,000-90,000 but also more efficient than polycrystalline (14-16% efficiency) or thin film panels (10-13% efficiency) which cost Rs. 60,000-75,000^.
Bifacial double glass solar panels can increase energy yield by up to 30% but also cost 20-30% higher than mono-facial panels^.
Inverter Capacity and Type
String inverters are cheaper than microinverters but offer less flexibility in system design. Hybrid inverters allow integrating batteries for backup at added cost^.
Battery Backup
Adding battery storage costs Rs. 30,000 – 60,000 extra but allows power use at night or during outages^.
Customization and Complexity
Location, layout, site conditions, customizations etc impact installation costs which ultimately affects system pricing^.
Government Solar Subsidies and Incentives
The Indian government aims to achieve 100GW of solar power capacity by 2022. To accelerate rooftop solar adoption, attractive financial incentives are offered:
- Subsidies under PM-KUSUM scheme provide up to 40% benchmark cost support for rooftop solar^^
- Accelerated depreciation of 40% in the first year for commercial setups
- Low 5% GST rate compared to 18-28% tax on fossil fuels
These subsidies bring down the effective out-of-pocket investment amount.
Electricity Bill Savings through Solar Power
A 3kW solar system can generate 12-15 units of electricity per day. For an average household with monthly consumption of 300 units, this leads to significant savings:
- Units generated per month = 12 x 30 = 360 units
- Monthly bill without solar = 300 units x Rs. 7 per unit = Rs. 2,100
- Monthly bill with solar = (300 – 360) units x Rs. 7 per unit = Rs. 300 only!
Going solar saves around Rs. 84-105 daily (Rs. 30,240-37,800 annually)^^.
Return on Investment for 3kW Solar Panel System
While the upfront cost of a 3kW solar system is Rs. 1.5 to 2.5 lakhs, with government subsidies and lower energy bills, the payback period is just 4 to 5 years^^.
Thereafter a household or commercial establishment enjoys free solar electricity for over 15-25 years with minimal maintenance costs for the system. That makes investing in rooftop solar power a smart choice!
Reach out to leading solar panel manufacturers like Solar Exporters for quotes on customized 3kW solar solutions for your energy needs and budget.