Rooftop Solar Installation in India for Businesses: Costs, Subsidies & EPC Guide

Last updated: August 2026, By Midwatt, your solar partner across India

If you own a petrol pump, a small factory, a cold storage unit, or a housing society anywhere in India, your electricity bill is one of your largest fixed costs, and it rises every year. Rooftop solar is no longer a luxury investment. For most commercial and industrial consumers in India, it pays for itself in 3 to 5 years and delivers free power for 25 years after that.

This guide covers everything you need to know about rooftop solar installation in India: system costs, government subsidies, state nodal agency approvals, net metering, open access, and how to choose the right EPC contractor.

India is one of the best solar geographies in the world

Most of India receives 280-320 sunny days a year and averages 4.5-6.0 peak sun hours per day. The high-irradiance belt runs through Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka; the eastern and north-eastern states sit a little lower but still comfortably above most of Europe.

For a business consuming 500 to 5,000 units of electricity per month, that translates to savings of ₹3,000 to ₹45,000 every single month, starting from Day 1 of commissioning.

How Much Does Rooftop Solar Cost in India? (2026 Pricing)

Solar system prices in India have fallen over 85% in the last decade, and TOPCon modules are now mainstream. Here is a realistic 2026 price range for grid-connected rooftop solar:

System Size	Ideal For	Approximate Cost (All-In)	Monthly Savings (Est.)
3 kWp	Small shop, petrol pump office	₹1.5L – ₹2.1L	₹2,500 – ₹3,500
5 kWp	Larger retail, small factory	₹2.4L – ₹3.3L	₹4,000 – ₹5,500
10 kWp	Factory, cold storage, clinic	₹4.5L – ₹6.0L	₹8,000 – ₹11,000
25 kWp	Housing society, mid-size factory	₹11L – ₹14L	₹20,000 – ₹28,000
50–100 kWp	Industrial unit, large campus	₹22L – ₹40L	₹40,000 – ₹90,000

Prices are indicative and vary by state, roof type, structure, panel brand and inverter specification. Contact Midwatt for a site-specific quote.

What's Included in an EPC Quote?

A proper rooftop solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) quote should include:

• Modules (solar panels, monocrystalline PERC or TOPCon)
• Inverter (on-grid / hybrid)
• Mounting structure (GI or aluminium, designed for your roof type and wind zone)
• AC/DC wiring, junction boxes, earthing
• Net meter application and DISCOM liaison
• State nodal agency registration (if claiming subsidy)
• Civil work (waterproofing, cable tray)
• 5-year workmanship warranty + module warranty

Always get an itemised BOM (Bill of Materials) from your contractor. If they can't provide one, that's a red flag.

Government Subsidies for Rooftop Solar in India

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

The central government's PM Surya Ghar Yojana provides direct subsidies for residential rooftop solar, nationwide:

• Up to ₹30,000 for 1-2 kW systems
• Up to ₹60,000 for 2-3 kW systems
• Up to ₹78,000 for systems above 3 kW

Important: This subsidy is only for residential consumers (household connections). Commercial and industrial consumers are not eligible.

State nodal agencies

Every state has a renewable energy development agency that handles rooftop registrations, empanelment and scheme administration - TSREDCO in Telangana, GEDA in Gujarat, MEDA in Maharashtra, KREDL in Karnataka, NREDCAP in Andhra Pradesh, RRECL in Rajasthan, and so on. For commercial and industrial consumers these agencies rarely provide direct cash subsidies, but they facilitate:

• Net metering approvals, to export surplus solar power to the grid
• Subsidised loan schemes, low-interest financing for eligible businesses
• ALMM-compliant panel registration, ensuring only approved panels are used

Your EPC contractor should handle all agency documentation on your behalf. At Midwatt, we manage the full approval process - you don't need to visit a single government office.

DISCOM net metering

Net metering rules are set by each State Electricity Regulatory Commission and implemented by your local DISCOM (TGSPDCL, BESCOM, MSEDCL, DGVCL, TPDDL, CESC and the rest). The mechanics are consistent nationwide even when the numbers aren't:

• Application to your DISCOM with system size and site details
• Technical feasibility check
• Net-metering agreement
• Bi-directional meter installation
• Joint commissioning and first export reading

Typical approval timeline: 4 to 8 weeks, longer in states with a capacity queue on the distribution transformer. Two constraints repeat almost everywhere: system size ≤ sanctioned load, and a cap on solar capacity per distribution transformer.

Open access for larger loads

If your consumption outgrows your roof - typically above 1 MW - open access lets you buy solar from an off-site park through the state grid under a third-party PPA, captive, or group captive structure. Landed tariffs of ₹3.2-₹4.8/unit against HT grid tariffs of ₹7-₹9 make this the biggest single lever for large consumers. State-specific wheeling charges, cross-subsidy surcharge and banking rules decide how attractive it is where you are.

Rooftop Solar for Specific Businesses

Solar for Petrol Pumps

Petrol pumps are among the best candidates for rooftop solar in India. Reasons:

• Daytime-heavy consumption, dispensers, air machines, lighting, offices all run 7 AM-9 PM, perfectly aligned with solar generation
• Flat or low-slope canopy roofs, ideal for mounting panels without extra structural work
• High energy bills, a typical pump spends ₹15,000-₹40,000/month on electricity
• Lower consumption on weekly-off days, but net metering credits carry forward

A 10-20 kWp system typically offsets 70-100% of a petrol pump's electricity consumption. Estimated payback period: 3-4 years. Canopy mounting needs written approval from the OMC (IOCL/BPCL/HPCL/Reliance/Nayara) and PESO clearances around fuel tanks and vents.

Solar for Factories and Industrial Units

Manufacturing units in industrial belts - Patancheru and Jeedimetla, Chakan and Waluj, Hosur and Peenya, Vapi and Sanand, Manesar and Bhiwadi - carry high power consumption on expensive HT/LT industrial tariffs. A 50-100 kWp rooftop system can reduce monthly electricity costs by ₹40,000-₹90,000, and demand-charge shaving adds more on top.

Key considerations for industrial solar:

• Roof load-bearing capacity, asbestos / sheet metal roofs need structural assessment
• Shadow analysis, overhead water tanks, chimneys, and neighbouring buildings can reduce yield
• DG integration, many factories want solar + battery or solar + DG hybrid systems for power backup
• Electrical inspectorate (CEIG) approval, applicable above roughly 50 kW in most states

Solar for Housing Societies

Gated communities and apartment complexes spend ₹30,000-₹1,50,000/month on common-area electricity (lifts, pumps, lighting, EV chargers).

A community solar system of 15-50 kWp on the terrace can eliminate up to 80% of common-area electricity costs, reducing each flat owner's maintenance charge significantly. Note that PM Surya Ghar covers individual flat meters only, not the society's common-area connection.

How to Choose a Solar EPC Contractor

The Indian solar market has thousands of installers, ranging from reputable EPC companies to one-person operations with no after-sales support. Here's how to evaluate your options.

7 Questions to Ask Before Signing Any Solar Contract

1. Are your panels ALMM-listed? (Required for net-metering eligibility in every state)
2. Who handles nodal agency and DISCOM documentation? (Should be your contractor, not you)
3. What's the inverter brand and where is its nearest service centre?
4. Do you provide a shadow-free yield guarantee or generation estimate in writing?
5. What does your 5-year AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) cover?
6. Can I see a completed installation I can visit or call a reference for?
7. Is the mounting structure designed for my site's wind zone per IS 875 Part 3?

Warning Signs to Watch Out For

• No site visit before quoting, a reputable contractor must assess your roof before pricing
• "Subsidy" claims for commercial connections, commercial consumers are not eligible for PM Surya Ghar Yojana
• No itemised BOM, if they can't break down what they're installing, don't sign
• Verbal commitments only, everything (panel brand, wattage, inverter specs, yield estimate) must be in writing

The Midwatt Installation Process

At Midwatt, we've simplified rooftop solar into a transparent, end-to-end process, from your first inquiry to the day your meter starts spinning backwards.

1. Free Site Assessment, We visit your site, assess roof area, orientation, shading, structural condition, and load profile. No cost, no commitment.
2. Customised Proposal, You receive a detailed proposal with system design, itemised BOM, projected annual generation, monthly savings, payback period, and IRR.
3. Approvals & Documentation, We handle all paperwork - state nodal agency, DISCOM net meter application, and electrical inspections.
4. Installation, Our certified team executes the full civil and electrical work, typically within 3-7 working days for systems up to 50 kWp.
5. Commissioning & Handover, We commission the system with your DISCOM engineer present, hand over all warranties, and set you up on remote monitoring.
6. After-Sales Support, Quarterly preventive maintenance visits, performance monitoring alerts, and a dedicated point of contact. Not a call centre, a person you can call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much roof space do I need for a 10 kWp solar system? A: Approximately 600-700 sq ft of shadow-free roof space. East, west, or south-facing orientation works; south is optimal.

Q: Does rooftop solar work during power cuts (load shedding)? A: A standard grid-tied system shuts down during power cuts for safety reasons (anti-islanding). If backup power during outages is a priority, you need a hybrid inverter with battery storage - we can design this for you.

Q: What maintenance does a rooftop solar system need? A: Minimal. Panels should be cleaned every 2-4 weeks (dry cloth or light water wash). Inverter and wiring inspection once a year. No moving parts means very low failure rates.

Q: Can I expand the system later? A: Yes. We design systems with expandability in mind - inverter sizing and cabling allow for future capacity addition.

Q: How long do solar panels last? A: Premium panels carry a 25-year linear power output warranty. Most systems continue producing at 85%+ efficiency after 30 years.

Q: Is net metering available for commercial consumers? A: Yes, in every state, for LT and HT commercial connections, subject to the state regulator's rules. Our team handles the full application process.

Get a Free Solar Savings Estimate for Your Business

If you're a business owner spending more than ₹10,000/month on electricity, rooftop solar almost certainly makes financial sense. The only question is how much you'll save, and that depends on your specific roof, consumption pattern, and connection type.

Midwatt offers a free, no-obligation site assessment and savings report for businesses across India. We're headquartered in Hyderabad and execute projects nationwide, with crews deployed to site wherever the project is.

Get your free savings report →