“How much will a solar inverter with a battery cost me, just to keep the fans and lights running during power cuts?”
That’s usually the first question, and the answer depends on two things: how much load you want to run and for how long. In 2026, the solar inverter with battery price in India ranges from about ₹18,000 for a basic 1kVA setup to well over ₹1 lakh for a 5kVA system with lithium batteries.
Below are realistic price ranges for each size, an explanation of why the battery often costs more than the inverter, and a way to work out which size your home actually needs.
Solar Inverter with Battery Price in 2026
Direct answer: A solar inverter with tubular batteries costs roughly ₹18,000–₹30,000 for 1kVA, ₹36,000-₹56,000 for 2kVA, ₹54,000–₹1 lakh for 3kVA and ₹73,000–₹1.15 lakh for 5kVA (before GST and installation). Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries raise the upfront price but last longer and give more usable backup. Solar panels are extra.
| Size | Typical battery setup | Price range with tubular batteries | Price range with lithium battery |
| 1kVA | 1 × 150Ah, 12V | ₹18,000 – ₹30,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹36,000 |
| 2kVA | 2 × 150Ah, 24V | ₹36,000 – ₹56,000 | ₹38,000 – ₹62,000 |
| 3kVA | 3-4 × 150Ah, 36-48V | ₹54,000 – ₹1,02,000 | ₹63,000 – ₹1,10,000 |
| 5kVA | 4 × 150Ah, 48V (most models) | ₹73,000 – ₹1,14,000 | ₹70,000 – ₹1,92,000 |
How these figures were built: they combine October 2026 market price ranges for solar PCU inverters (₹6,000-₹42,000 by size) and batteries (150Ah tubular ₹12,000-₹18,000 each; LiFePO4 packs from ₹14,000 for 1.28kWh to ₹1.5 lakh for 10kWh). Prices are indicative and exclude GST. The 5kVA lithium range is wide because it covers both a 5kWh and a 10kWh battery pack.
Explore our product – Lithium Ion Battery in India | Reliable, Long-Life Energy Storage Solutions
What You’re Actually Paying For
A home solar backup system has three parts, and buyers often only budget for the first one.
1. The solar inverter (PCU)
The inverter converts battery DC power into the AC power your appliances use, and charges the battery from solar panels and/or grid power. Solar inverters are often called PCUs (power conditioning units).
| Size | Typical continuous load | Indicative price (ex-GST) |
| 1kVA | ~800W | ₹6,000 – ₹12,000 |
| 2kVA | ~1,600W | ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 |
| 3kVA | ~2,400W | ₹18,000 – ₹30,000 |
| 5kVA | ~4,000W | ₹25,000 – ₹42,000 |
- Why kVA isn’t watts: inverters are rated in kVA, but your appliances use watts. A 1kVA inverter usually delivers about 800W of real load (a power factor of 0.8). If you size by kVA alone, you’ll overestimate what it can run.
- MPPT vs PWM: MPPT solar charge controllers pull more energy out of the same panels than PWM controllers, especially in the morning, evening and on cloudy days. They cost more, but for a solar system they’re usually worth it.
2. The batteries
This is where most of the money goes, and where the biggest choice sits.
| Battery | Typical 2026 price | Usable energy | Typical life |
| 150Ah tubular (12V, C10) | ₹12,000 – ₹18,000 each | ~0.9kWh (at 50% discharge) | 3-5 years (warranty-backed) |
| 200Ah tubular (12V, C10) | ₹16,000 – ₹24,000 each | ~1.2kWh (at 50% discharge) | 3–5 years |
| LiFePO4 1.28kWh (12.8V) | ₹14,000 – ₹24,000 | ~1.1kWh | Several thousand cycles |
| LiFePO4 2.56kWh (25.6V) | ₹26,000 – ₹42,000 | ~2.2kWh | Several thousand cycles |
| LiFePO4 5.12kWh (51.2V) | ₹45,000 – ₹80,000 | ~4.5kWh | Several thousand cycles |
The “usable energy” column is the one that matters. A 150Ah, 12V tubular battery stores 1.8kWh on paper. Draining a lead-acid battery deeply every day shortens its life, though, so you can realistically use about half. Lithium batteries can safely use 80–90% of their rated capacity. That’s why a smaller lithium pack can give similar backup to a bigger tubular bank.
Our guides on Lithium Ion Battery for Solar – Price, Life & Is It Worth It in India 2026?
3. Panels, installation and accessories
The prices above don’t include:
- Solar panels. Roughly ₹25–₹32 per watt for the panels alone, depending on brand and type.
- Panel mounting structure, DC cables and protection (MCBs, surge protection, earthing).
- Battery trolley or rack, and installation labour.
Budget an extra 10-20% for these on top of the inverter and batteries, before panels.
Tubular vs Lithium: Which Should You Buy?
| Tubular (lead-acid) | Lithium (LiFePO4) | |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Usable capacity | ~50% | ~80-90% |
| Maintenance | Distilled water top-up, terminal cleaning | Practically none |
| Weight and space | Heavy (a 150Ah unit is around 50–60kg) | Much lighter and more compact |
| Charging speed | Slower | Faster, so it suits limited sun hours |
| Replacement | Every few years | Lasts several times longer |
Direct answer: choose tubular if your budget is tight, power cuts are occasional, and you’re fine with topping up water every few months. Choose lithium if you face long or daily power cuts, want to use solar every day, or don’t have space for a heavy battery bank. Over the full life of the system, lithium often works out cheaper per unit of energy delivered, even though it costs more on day one.
One important check: not every inverter can charge lithium batteries properly. If you plan to use lithium now or later, buy a lithium-compatible inverter, or one with an adjustable charging profile.
See our another guide LiFePO4 Solar Battery Guide: How Lithium Ion Phosphate Batteries Power Your Home
How Much Backup Will You Get?
Here’s a simple way to estimate backup time:
Backup hours ≈ (battery voltage × Ah × usable fraction × 0.85) ÷ your load in watts
The 0.85 allows for inverter losses.
Example: a 2kVA inverter with 2 × 150Ah tubular batteries (24V)
- Stored energy: 24V × 150Ah = 3,600Wh
- Usable at 50%: 1,800Wh
- After inverter losses: about 1,530Wh
- Running 4 fans, 6 LED lights, a TV and a Wi-Fi router (about 400W): roughly 3.5–4 hours
| Load (typical home) | Approx. watts | 1kVA, 1×150Ah tubular | 2kVA, 2×150Ah tubular | 2kVA, 2.56kWh lithium |
| 2 fans + 4 lights + router | ~200W | ~3.5 hours | ~7 hours | ~9 hours |
| 4 fans + 6 lights + TV + router | ~400W | ~1.8 hours | ~3.5–4 hours | ~4.5 hours |
| Above + fridge (running) | ~550W | Not recommended | ~2.5–3 hours | ~3.5 hours |
These are estimates. Real backup depends on battery age, temperature and how your load changes through the evening. Fridges and pumps also draw a short surge when they start, so leave headroom on the inverter size.
Which Size Does Your Home Need?
| Home and need | Suggested size |
| 1BHK, or lights, fans, Wi-Fi and TV only | 1kVA |
| 2BHK with fridge, or longer power cuts | 2kVA |
| 3BHK, fridge, washing machine, small water pump | 3kVA |
| Larger home, multiple heavy appliances, or a 1–1.5 ton AC | 5kVA |
About air conditioners: running an AC on a battery backup system is possible, but it needs a large inverter and a big battery bank, and backup hours drop sharply.
Read our guide on whether a 1.5 ton AC can run on solar power before sizing for it.
Off-Grid, Hybrid or On-Grid with Battery?
A “solar inverter with battery” can mean different system types, and the difference affects both price and subsidy:
- Off-grid / solar PCU systems (the setups priced above) run from batteries and panels, with grid charging as backup. They’re best for power cuts. They’re cheaper but don’t export power to the grid.
- Hybrid systems combine battery backup with grid connection and net metering. They cost more, but you get backup and bill savings in one system.
See our hybrid solar system cost guide. - On-grid systems have no battery and the lowest cost per unit. They switch off during a power cut for safety, so they give no backup.
On subsidies: the PM Surya Ghar subsidy (up to ₹78,000) is for grid-connected rooftop solar systems. Batteries aren’t subsidised, and a standalone off-grid inverter and battery setup doesn’t qualify. If you want both backup and subsidy, a hybrid system is the route to discuss with your installer.
Our on-grid vs off-grid vs hybrid cost guide compares all three.
Before You Buy: A Quick Checklist
- List your must-run appliances and add up their watts. Size the inverter at least 25% above that.
- Decide how many hours of backup you really need. That decides the battery size, and most of the cost.
- Check the battery voltage. Make sure the number of batteries in the quote matches the inverter’s system voltage (12V, 24V, 48V).
- Ask for MPPT if the inverter will charge from solar panels.
- Check lithium compatibility if you might upgrade later.
- Compare warranties separately for the inverter, the batteries and any panels. Read what the battery warranty actually covers (full replacement vs pro-rata).
- Ask what installation covers: wiring, earthing, protection devices and the battery stand.
- Check GST on the invoice. Solar inverters attract 5% GST. Battery GST can differ, so make sure the quote shows it clearly.
Conclusion
For most Indian homes, a 2kVA solar inverter with two 150Ah tubular batteries (about ₹36,000-₹56,000 before panels) covers fans, lights, TV, Wi-Fi and a fridge through typical power cuts. Pick lithium if cuts are long or daily, and move up to 3kVA or 5kVA only when your appliance list needs it. The battery decides your backup and most of your cost, so size it carefully.
Want a setup sized to your actual load and power-cut pattern?
Kondaas designs and installs solar backup, hybrid and on-grid systems across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Get a free load assessment and quote from Kondaas
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many batteries does a 2kVA solar inverter need?
Most 2kVA inverters run on a 24V system, so they need two 12V batteries, or one 25.6V lithium pack. Always confirm with the inverter’s specification sheet.
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Is a 1kVA solar inverter with battery enough for a home?
For lights, fans, a TV and Wi-Fi, yes. It isn’t suitable for a fridge plus other loads, or for anything with a heavy motor, such as a pump or AC.
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How long do solar inverter batteries last?
Tubular batteries usually last 3–5 years with proper maintenance. LiFePO4 batteries are rated for several thousand charge cycles, which typically means many years of daily use.
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Can I add solar panels to my existing home inverter?
Only if it’s a solar-ready inverter, or if you add a separate solar charge controller. A regular home UPS inverter can’t take panel input directly.