What a home rooftop solar system includes
A grid-connected home system has five parts: solar modules on the roof, a grid inverter that converts DC to AC, a mounting structure, DC and AC cabling with protection devices and earthing, and a bi-directional (net) meter fitted by BESCOM. Everything is designed around your terrace, your daytime consumption and your sanctioned load.
How big should the system be?
Bengaluru receives good sunlight through most of the year. As a planning figure, each kW of panels produces about 4 to 4.5 units a day (roughly 120 to 135 units a month). The table gives a first idea. Your engineer will refine it after checking shade, roof direction and your last 12 months of bills.
| Monthly consumption | Indicative system size | Shadow-free roof needed |
|---|---|---|
| 150 units | 1.5 to 2 kW | about 150 to 200 sq ft |
| 300 units | 2.5 to 3 kW | about 250 to 300 sq ft |
| 450 units | 3.5 to 4 kW | about 350 to 400 sq ft |
| 600 units | 4.5 to 5 kW | about 450 to 500 sq ft |
| 900 units | 7 kW | about 650 to 700 sq ft |
Tip: Our SunScore calculator turns your bill, roof area, shade and direction into a size, savings and payback estimate in a minute.
PM Surya Ghar subsidy for homes
Individual homes with a grid-connected rooftop system can claim central financial assistance. The scheme is for residential consumers only.
| System size | Central subsidy |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| 3 kW and above | ₹78,000 (maximum) |
You register on the national portal, then apply on BESCOM's solar rooftop portal with the registration reference. The subsidy is paid to your bank account after the system is inspected and commissioned. Our subsidy and net metering guide walks through each step.
What happens to surplus units
Your home uses solar power first. Extra units go to the grid, and BESCOM pays for them at a rate fixed in your agreement for 25 years. Under the KERC order dated 25 August 2026, that rate for a home system with the PM Surya Ghar subsidy is ₹1.96 per unit up to 2 kW, ₹2.14 above 2 kW up to 3 kW and ₹2.58 above 3 kW. Without the subsidy it is ₹3.89 per unit. Because exported units earn less than the units you avoid buying, it pays to size the system for your own daytime use rather than to export a lot.
On-grid, hybrid or off-grid?
- On-grid (net metered): lowest cost, no battery, shuts down during a grid outage for safety. Right for most homes.
- Hybrid: adds a battery for backup during power cuts and stays connected to the grid. Costs more.
- Off-grid: no grid connection. Rarely suited to city homes.
Read our comparison, on-grid vs hybrid vs off-grid solar, if you are unsure.
Roof and structure options
Flat RCC terraces take an elevated structure, which leaves space underneath for water tanks, drying clothes or a walk-under shaded area. Sheet and sloped roofs use clamp-on or rail-based mounting that follows the roof. We check roof strength, waterproofing, parapet height, tank and staircase shadows and the route for cables before finalising the layout.
How we work
- Enquiry and bill check. You share your pincode and recent bills.
- Site survey. An engineer measures the usable roof, checks shade and direction, and notes your distribution board, earthing and sanctioned load.
- Design and firm quotation. You get a layout, the equipment list with makes, the subsidy and net metering plan, and the price.
- Registration and applications. As a registered vendor on the PM Surya Ghar national portal, we handle the vendor-side steps and guide you through your registration and the BESCOM application.
- Installation. Structure, modules, inverter, cabling, protection and earthing.
- Inspection and net meter. BESCOM inspects, installs or configures the meter and commissions the plant.
- Subsidy follow-up and support. We help you track the subsidy claim and stay available for service.
Questions to ask any solar installer
- Which module and inverter makes, and are the modules DCR-compliant if you want the subsidy?
- What are the module, inverter and workmanship warranties, in writing?
- What structure material, galvanisation and wind-load design is used?
- Who files the BESCOM and subsidy applications, and what do you need to sign?
- What is included in the price: meter charges, civil work, cable runs, earthing, lightning protection?
- Who do you call after installation, and is a cleaning plan included?
Frequently asked questions
How much subsidy will I get for a home solar system in Bengaluru?
Under PM Surya Ghar the central subsidy is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third kW, so ₹60,000 for 2 kW and ₹78,000 for 3 kW. Systems above 3 kW still get a maximum of ₹78,000. Check the latest rates on pmsuryaghar.gov.in before you commit.
What size system does an average Bengaluru home need?
A rough guide is that 1 kW generates about 4 to 4.5 units a day in Bengaluru, or around 120 to 135 units a month. A home using 300 units a month usually needs roughly 2.5 to 3 kW. Shade, roof direction and your daytime usage change this, so the site survey fixes the final size.
Do I need batteries?
No. Most homes use an on-grid system with a net meter, which needs no battery. A hybrid system with a battery makes sense if you face long or frequent power cuts and want backup during them. It costs more and the subsidy rules still apply to the solar capacity.
Can I install a bigger system than 3 kW?
Yes, if your roof and your sanctioned load allow it. The subsidy stops growing at 3 kW, so every extra kW is self-funded. A larger system makes sense when your consumption is high enough to use the extra generation.
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on the site, the approvals and how quickly documents are submitted. We give you a realistic schedule in the quotation after the site survey rather than a blanket promise.
Keep reading
Ready to see what solar saves your home?
Tap Free Survey and share your pincode and bill. An engineer will check your roof, size the system and explain the PM Surya Ghar subsidy for your home.
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