Your electricity bill keeps climbing. Every summer, the AC runs longer. Every month, you see a bigger number on that red envelope from DISCOM. But what if you could stop throwing money at rising electricity costs and start generating your own power instead?
That’s exactly what a 3 kW solar system does for Indian homeowners. It’s the sweet spot affordable enough for middle-class budgets, powerful enough to cover most homes, and backed by government subsidies that make it almost irresistible.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from pricing in your city to how much money you’ll actually save.
What’s the 3 kW Solar Panel Price in India With and Without a Subsidy in 2025?
Let’s be direct: a 3 kW system costs between ₹2,05,000 and ₹2,35,000 before any help from the government.
But here’s the beautiful part the government isn’t leaving you hanging.
Real Prices Across India’s Major Cities
| City | Full Price | After Subsidy | You Actually Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pune | ₹2,05,000 | ₹1,27,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹2,35,000 | ₹1,57,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Chennai | ₹2,35,000 | ₹1,57,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Delhi | ₹2,20,000 | ₹1,42,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Jaipur | ₹2,25,000 | ₹1,47,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Ahmedabad | ₹2,05,000 | ₹1,27,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Hyderabad | ₹2,10,000 | ₹1,32,000 | Save ₹78,000 |
| Lucknow, UP | ₹2,10,000 | ₹1,02,000 | Save ₹1,08,000* |
Uttar Pradesh stacks an extra ₹30,000 on top of the central subsidy. If you’re in UP, you’re getting the best deal in the country right now.
The bottom line?
After the government’s ₹78,000 subsidy, your real cost drops to ₹1,27,000-₹1,57,000. That’s doable. That’s real.
Types of 3 kW Solar Systems and Their Prices
Not all solar systems are created equal.
Here are your actual options:
- On-Grid Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar System
- Hybrid Solar System
On-Grid Solar System (What Most People Choose)
In recent years, the demand for ongrid solar systems has surged in Coimbatore, and several companies have stepped up to meet this growing need.
What is an On-Grid Solar System?
An on-grid solar system (also called grid-tied or grid-connected) is the most popular choice for 95% of Indian homes and businesses today. It’s directly connected to your local electricity grid through a bidirectional net meter, working seamlessly with your existing power supply. Here’s how it works: solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity via an inverter. During the day, you use this solar power to run your appliances. Any excess electricity automatically flows back to the grid, earning you credits on your electricity bill through net metering essentially your meter runs backward when you’re generating surplus power.
The reality: At night, you’re still using grid power so your electricity bill doesn’t disappear, but it shrinks by 30-50%.
Off-Grid Solar System (For Remote Areas)
What is an Off-Grid Solar System?
An off-grid solar system is a standalone power solution that generates electricity from solar panels and stores excess energy in batteries for 24/7 use, with no connection to the main electricity grid. This system ensures complete energy independence, making it ideal for remote villages and rural areas with unreliable or no grid access, homes seeking freedom from power cuts, and farms, resorts, and industries in isolated locations requiring uninterrupted power supply.
Unlike on-grid systems, off-grid setups cost significantly more (₹4,50,000-₹6,50,000 for 3 kW) due to battery requirements, are not eligible for the ₹78,000 government subsidy, and need battery replacements every 5-10 years. However, they provide 100% self-sufficiency in power generation, making them the only viable option for areas with zero grid connectivity or frequent extended power cuts.
When to consider: Only if you live where there’s no reliable grid access.
Hybrid Solar System (Premium Option)
What is a Hybrid Solar System?
A hybrid solar system is the ultimate power solution that gives you the best of both worlds combining on-grid flexibility with off-grid security. Think of it as your energy insurance policy: it generates electricity from solar panels and intelligently manages power flow based on your needs. During the day, it powers your home directly with solar energy. Any excess power gets stored in batteries for evening/night use or power cut backup. And if your batteries are full?
The system exports surplus electricity to the grid, earning you credits through net metering.
The honest truth: For 95% of urban Indian homeowners, this is overkill. You’re paying an extra ₹3,00,000-₹5,00,000 for backup power you might not actually need. Unless power cuts are destroying your business or your lifestyle, stick with on-grid.
3 kW Solar Panel Price With a Solar Loan
Solar loans let you finance your rooftop solar with ease. Banks and NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) offer them at competitive interest rates of 6-8.5% per annum. If you have a good relationship with your bank, you can request a loan to fund your solar installation with minimal documentation.
However, choosing the right solar loan makes all the difference:
- We offer a zero-investment plan where your Government subsidy covers your down payment, and monthly solar savings cover your EMIs for the loan tenure, making it virtually cost-free during repayment.
- The loan approval takes 1-2 days with minimal paperwork just salary slips, bank statements, and property documents.
- You can choose a tenure between 3-5 years, depending on your budget and monthly cash flow.
- Your monthly EMI (₹2,800-₹3,800) is offset by electricity savings (₹2,500-₹3,500), meaning your actual out-of-pocket cost is just ₹300-₹1,000 per month.
- After the loan is fully paid, you enjoy 20+ years of nearly free electricity, saving ₹6,00,000-₹8,00,000 over the system’s lifetime.
- Major banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank offer solar-specific loans with waived processing fees and lower interest rates compared to personal loans.
Is 3 kW the Right Capacity for Your Home?
Why Capacity Matters
Installing the wrong solar system size is like buying shoes that don’t fit. You could go too big wasting money on capacity you’ll never use. Or too small covering only half your needs and leaving you disappointed.
A 3 kW system isn’t perfect for everyone. But for most Indian households, it’s the sweet spot.
Here’s how to know if it’s right for you.
Two Simple Questions That Decide Everything
Before we talk numbers, ask yourself these:
1. How much electricity does your home actually use?
Check your last 12 months of electricity bills. Add up all the units consumed (that’s the number that matters). Write it down.
2. Do you have enough rooftop space?
A 3 kW system needs about 200-250 square feet of clear, shadow-free rooftop. Do you have that without trees, water tanks, or other obstacles blocking sunlight?
What Appliances Does a 3 kW System Actually Power?
Let’s be honest about what you can run.
The Complete Power Breakdown
| Appliance | Power Usage | Daily Use | Daily Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 150-400W | 24 hours | 3.6-9.6 kWh |
| Ceiling Fans (4-5) | 75W each | 8 hours | 2.4-3.0 kWh |
| LED Lights (5-8) | 4-25W each | 6 hours | 0.3-1.2 kWh |
| TV/Entertainment | 60-120W | 6 hours | 0.36-0.72 kWh |
| Washing Machine | 300-500W | 2 hrs/week | 0.86 kWh/week |
| Water Heater (5L) | 1,500W | 0.5 hours | 0.75 kWh |
| Kitchen Appliances | ~1,000W total | 2 hours | 2.0 kWh |
Total typical daily consumption: 10-14 kWh
A 3 kW system generates exactly this amount. That’s why it’s the perfect size.
3 kW Solar System Component Breakdown List
Your ₹2,15,000 doesn’t just buy “panels.” Here’s what you’re actually getting:
- Solar panels (6 units): ₹75,000-₹85,000 – The power generators
- Inverter (3 kW): ₹45,000-₹55,000 – Converts DC to usable AC power
- Mounting structure: ₹18,000-₹22,000 – Holds everything safely
- Wiring & electrical: ₹18,000-₹22,000 – Connections and safety equipment
- Net meter installation: ₹7,000-₹11,000 – Tracks your energy trading with grid
- Installation labor: ₹22,000-₹32,000 – Professional setup takes 8-12 hours
Quality varies. Premium panels (higher efficiency) cost more but generate more power from the same space. Better inverters (from SMA, Fronius) cost ₹15,000-₹25,000 extra but last longer and perform better.
How Many Units of Electricity Does a 3 kW Solar System Generate?
Simple answer: About 4,200-4,350 units per year. Roughly 11-12 units per day.
But the month matters. Here’s what to expect:
| Month | Daily Generation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| May | 14-15 kWh | Peak summer – long days, clear skies |
| January | 11-12 kWh | Winter – shorter days but clearer skies |
| July | 8-9 kWh | Monsoon – heavy clouds, rain reduces output |
Real factors that change your generation:
- Cloud cover (the biggest hit during monsoon)
- Dust on panels (reduces by 15-25% regular cleaning helps)
- Panel temperature (hot days = less efficiency)
- Your location’s pollution levels
Don’t expect an identical generation every month. Summer beats winter. Monsoon is rough. But averaged out over the year, you get about 4,200 units.
Why You Should Choose Kondaas for 3kW Solar System?
Kondaas isn’t just a solar installer we’re one of South India’s most trusted clean energy partners. With 25+ years of experience serving over 2,00,000 satisfied customers, we’ve built our reputation on four core values: Truly Dependable, Quality First, High on Energy. As a Coimbatore-based company with government recognition and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, we understand South Indian climate conditions, electricity tariffs, and DISCOM procedures better than anyone else. Our 4.8/5 rating from 6,000+ reviews and position as South India’s first solar company to reach 5,000+ Google reviews proves our commitment to customer satisfaction.
Here’s what makes Kondaas different:
- Swift Installation with Local Expertise: Our in-house team completes installations in 8-12 hours with deep understanding of Tamil Nadu’s TANGEDCO procedures, Kerala’s KSEB requirements, and Karnataka’s BESCOM regulations ensuring faster approvals and seamless net metering setup.
- Comprehensive After-Sales Service: We offer regular maintenance visits with dedicated service engineers across South India. Our customers consistently praise our prompt response times and hassle-free service coordination.
- Manufacturing Excellence: Unlike companies that only install, we manufacture solar products at our world-class R&D center using completely automated processes, ensuring superior quality control and competitive pricing.
- 25+ Years of Trust: We’ve been in the renewable energy business since 1995 long before solar became mainstream. This experience translates to proven installation techniques, reliable product sourcing, and time-tested customer support.
- Government-Backed Credibility: Our government recognition and proven track record with 2,00,000+ installations give you confidence that we’ll be here for your system’s entire 25-year lifespan.
- Direct Service, No Middlemen: From initial consultation to post-installation maintenance, you deal directly with Kondaas ensuring accountability, transparent pricing, and consistent service quality throughout your solar journey.
Conclusion
Your electricity costs aren’t going down DISCOM rates have increased by 40-50% in the past 5 years alone. A 3 kW solar system locks in your energy cost at today’s prices for the next 25 years. After the ₹78,000 subsidy, you’re investing ₹1,27,000-₹1,57,000 that pays itself back in just 5-6 years through monthly savings of ₹2,500-₹3,500.
The math is simple: every month you delay costs you ₹2,500+ in avoidable electricity bills. That’s ₹30,000 lost per year. Government subsidies won’t last forever, and solar equipment prices are rising. The best time to go solar was 5 years ago. The second best time is today.
Ready to take control of your electricity bills?
Get a free consultation with Kondaas solar experts. We’ll assess your rooftop, review your bills, and provide a customized quote with complete transparency. Join 2,00,000+ satisfied customers who’ve already made the switch.
3 kW Solar Panel FAQs
Q1: How many solar panels are needed for 3 kW?
6 modern panels (545W each) or 8 older panels (400W each). Modern panels are better they take less space and cost less.
Q2: What size battery do I need for a 3kW solar system & how long will it last?
For on-grid, you don’t need batteries. Grid is your backup. If you want batteries: 5-10 kWh costs ₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000. Lead-acid lasts 3-5 years. Lithium lasts 10-15 years.
Q3: Can a 3 kW solar panel run AC?
Yes, during daytime (10 AM-5 PM). Night AC runs on grid. Expect 25-35% monthly savings, not 75%.
Q4: How much electricity does a 3kW solar panel make in a day?
10-14 kWh average. Highest in May (15 kWh), lowest in July (8-9 kWh).
Q5: Is 3 kW enough for a house?
Yes, if your annual consumption divided by 1,420 equals 0.7-1.2. Check your electricity bills.
Q6: Can I run a 1.5-ton AC on solar without batteries?
Yes. Daytime: 70-90% solar powered. Night: 100% grid powered. Real savings: 25-35% monthly.
Q7: What is the subsidy for a 3 kW solar panel?
₹78,000 central government subsidy. UP adds ₹30,000 more (₹1,08,000 total). Automatic via DBT to your bank.