Most cost pages either quote one number with no context or refuse to quote anything at all. Neither helps you budget. This guide gives indicative market ranges for Karnataka by capacity, states every assumption behind them, and explains which of those assumptions will actually move your final figure.
What drives the cost
Rooftop solar is usually quoted per kW, and that rate falls as capacity rises because fixed costs — survey, design, net metering paperwork, scaffolding, crew mobilisation — spread across more panels. The table below shows typical installed cost before subsidy, the central PM Surya Ghar subsidy where it applies, expected generation at Karnataka irradiance, and the roof area each capacity needs.
| Capacity | Installed cost | PM Surya Ghar subsidy | Net cost | Generation | Roof area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹65,000 – 80,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹35,000 – 50,000 | ~4–5 units/day | 90 – 110 sq ft |
| 2 kW | ₹1.10 – 1.40 L | ₹60,000 | ₹50,000 – 80,000 | ~8–9 units/day | 190 – 220 sq ft |
| 3 kW | ₹1.50 – 1.95 L | ₹78,000 | ₹72,000 – 1.17 L | ~12–14 units/day | 280 – 320 sq ft |
| 5 kW | ₹2.25 – 3.00 L | ₹78,000 | ₹1.47 – 2.22 L | ~20–24 units/day | 450 – 550 sq ft |
| 10 kW | ₹4.20 – 5.50 L | ₹78,000 | ₹3.42 – 4.72 L | ~38–46 units/day | 900 – 1,050 sq ft |
Indicative market ranges for Karnataka, not a Paso Solar quotation. Figures assume grid-tied systems with Tier-1 modules and a string inverter, standard rooftop mounting, and no major structural work. PM Surya Ghar is the central residential subsidy and caps at ₹78,000 for 3kW and above; it does not apply to commercial or industrial installations. Subsidy rates and eligibility change by notification — confirm current terms before budgeting. Generation assumes roughly 4.5–5 peak sun hours and typical system losses.
How we model the numbers
Two systems of the same capacity can differ by 30% in price, and the difference is almost always in scope that is easy to leave out of a quotation. Module wattage class and warranty terms, whether the inverter is a brand with local service presence, the gauge and routing of DC cable, the grade of mounting structure and whether it is hot-dip galvanised, surge protection and earthing quality, and whether net metering liaison is included or billed separately. A quote that is cheaper per kW is often cheaper because one of these is missing.
Karnataka-specific cost factors
In Karnataka the binding constraints are usually sanctioned load and roof access rather than price. A net metering application must align with your sanctioned load at BESCOM or the relevant ESCOM, and raising sanctioned load adds both time and cost. Older independent houses often need structural review before mounting. Apartment and gated-community projects add an approval layer that can extend timelines by weeks regardless of how quickly the engineering finishes.
Where budgets go wrong
Cost comparisons go wrong in a few predictable ways. These are the ones that cost people the most:
- Comparing per-kW rates between quotes that do not cover the same scope
- Budgeting the pre-subsidy figure and treating the subsidy as guaranteed before eligibility is confirmed
- Sizing to the subsidy cap rather than to actual consumption, so the system under-generates for the household
- Leaving out net metering liaison, structural work, or long cable runs that later arrive as extras
- Choosing the lowest quote without checking whether the inverter brand has service presence in Karnataka
What we recommend
Use these ranges to set a budget band, then get one site survey before committing to a capacity. Ask every bidder for the same three things: component make and model list, expected annual generation with assumptions stated, and exactly what net metering support is included. Comparing those three makes quote differences legible in a way that comparing per-kW rates never will.
Common questions
- Why is the per-kW rate higher for a 1kW system than a 5kW system?
- Fixed costs do not scale down. Survey, design, paperwork, crew mobilisation, and safety setup cost roughly the same whether you install 1kW or 5kW, so on a small system they spread across fewer kW.
- Is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy available for commercial systems?
- No. It is a central residential scheme. Commercial and industrial projects are instead evaluated on accelerated depreciation and the tariff being offset, which often produces a stronger case than the residential subsidy would.
- Does a bigger system always pay back faster?
- Not necessarily. Payback improves with scale only while the extra generation is actually consumed or exported at a worthwhile rate. Oversizing past your consumption and export terms slows payback rather than improving it.
- How much can these ranges move for my specific site?
- Meaningfully. Roof type, shading, cable run length, structural strengthening, and whether sanctioned load needs revising are the usual causes. Treat the table as a budget band, not a quotation.
- Should I wait for prices to fall further?
- Module prices have trended down for years, but balance-of-system, labour, and compliance costs have not moved much. Waiting also means continuing to pay your current bill, which usually outweighs the saving.
Talk to our engineering team for a solar assessment.
We will review your consumption, roof, and site constraints before recommending any capacity.