A 3 kW solar system generates over 350 units of electricity monthly, saving you close to Rs. 3000 on your electricity bills. Moreover, you can get a subsidy of Rs. 78,000 for installing the system.
The 3 kilowatt solar panel price varies according to the panel’s technology. You can also find brand-wise differences in the solar panel price. Here we have covered how much you will have to pay for the 3 kW solar panels and installing a 3 kW solar system
Table of Contents
ToggleA 3 kilowatt home solar system can store the power output either in the DISCOM’s grid via export, or in a battery, or both. An on-grid solar system is the cheapest as it involves no battery.
Accordingly, here’s how the cost of installing different kinds of solar systems varies:
Type of Solar System | Solar System Installation Cost | PM Surya Ghar Solar Subsidy | Key Characteristics |
3 kW On-Grid Solar System | Rs.1,90,000 to Rs.2,30,000 | Rs. 78,000 | Solar electricity exported to the grid |
3 kW Off-Grid Solar System | Rs.2,38,000 to Rs.3,26,000 | Not Applicable | Battery backup |
3 kW Hybrid Solar System | Rs. 2,81,500 to Rs. 3,36,000 | Not Applicable | Battery backup along with grid connection |
Disclaimer: Prices can vary according to the cost of the components and the labour charges of installing the solar system.
To learn more about the on grid solar system subsidy, you can read our blog on PM Surya Ghar Scheme.
The following are the key specifications of a 3 kW solar system:
Key Components | Solar panels, solar inverter, mounting structure, net meter, ACDB, DCDB, lightning arrester, MC4 connectors, cables, AJB, net meter(for on-grid & hybrid system), batteries (for off-grid system) |
Power Output | -12 to 18 units daily -360 to 540 units monthly |
Number of Panels Required | 6 mono-PERC Half-cut or TOPCon panels |
Warranty on Panels (Average) | -10-year Product Warranty -25-year Performance Warranty |
Appliances Which can be Powered | Light (20W), Ceiling Fan (75 W), Table Fan (50W), TV (110 W), Fridge (300W), Room Cooler (250W), 1 Ton AC (1200 W) etc.* |
Necessary Rooftop Space | 178 sq. feet |
*Note: If you have an off-grid solar system and you want to use a 1-ton AC, we recommend that you use the AC for less than 4 hours. A 1-ton AC will consume 1 unit of electricity/hour on average. So using it for a couple of hours will ensure that enough electricity is left to power other appliances.
On the other hand, you can run your AC without any restriction with an on-grid or hybrid solar system.
The cost of installing a solar system depends on its components. A 3 kW solar system can either export the electricity to the grid, or store the output in a battery, or do both. Accordingly, we will consider the prices of an on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid solar system.
Here’s how much it costs to install a 3 kW on-grid solar system:
Solar Components | Cost of Components |
3 kW Mono PERC Half Cut Solar Panels (DCR) | Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 81,000 |
Solar Inverter | Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 29,000 |
ACDB | Rs.3,000 to Rs. 4,000 |
DCDB | Rs.3,000 to Rs. 4,000 |
AJB Box | Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 6,000 |
Mounting Structure | Rs. 23,000 to Rs. 23,500 |
Lightning Arrester | Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500 |
Installation Charge | Rs. 10,000 to Rs.30,000 |
AC Wire | Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5,500 /295 feet |
DC Wire | Rs. 800 to Rs. 900 /49 feet |
Other Components | Rs. 36,200 to Rs. 43,600 |
Total Installation Cost | Rs. 1,90,000 to Rs. 2,30,000 |
In an off-grid solar system, you need to integrate the battery system to store solar electricity generated during the day.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of a 3 kW off-grid solar system:
Solar System Component | Cost |
All 3 kW on-grid solar system components except the on-grid inverter | Rs. 1,63,000 to Rs. 2,01,000** |
Battery(150 Ah x 4) | Rs. 48,000 to Rs. 60,000 |
Off-grid Inverter | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 45,000 |
Total Installation Cost | Rs. 1,13,500 to Rs. 1,59,500 |
** The price of on-grid solar inverter has been deducted here as we need to integrate an off-grid solar inverter into this system.
To install a hybrid solar system, you have to use a hybrid solar inverter. Here’s how much a 3 kW hybrid solar system costs:
Solar System Component | Cost |
All 3 kW on-grid solar system components except the on-grid inverter | Rs. 1,63,000 to Rs. 2,01,000** |
Solar Battery(150 Ah x 4) | Rs. 48,000 to Rs. 60,000 |
Hybrid Solar Inverter | Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 75,000 |
Total Installation Cost | Rs. 2,81,500 to Rs. 3,36,000 |
** The price of on-grid solar inverter has been deducted here as we need to integrate a hybrid solar inverter into this system.
Solar panels can be categorised according to the type of cell and technology they use.
Here are the 3kW solar panel prices at a glance:
Type of Panel | Cost of 3 kW DCR Solar Panel | Cost of 3 kW Non-DCR Solar Panel |
Mono-PERC Half-Cut | Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 81,000. | Rs. 66,000 to Rs. 72,000 |
Mono-PERC Half Cut Bifacial | Rs. 84,000 to Rs. 90,000 | Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 78,000 |
TOPCon Bifacial (N Type) | Rs. 93,000 to Rs. 96,000 | Rs. 84,000 to Rs. 90,000 |
As a smart customer, you deserve the best value for your money. At Das Energie Private Limited, you can compare the rates vendors will charge for installing your solar system.
A 3 kW system generates 12 to 18 units of electricity per day. Monthly, a 3 kW system generates 360 to 540 units of electricity.
Here’s how much electricity a 3 kW solar system saves monthly:
Capacity of Solar System | Monthly Electricity Generation | Monthly Savings (At Rs.8/unit) |
3 kW | 360 to 540 units | Rs. 2,880 to Rs. 4,320 |
But what if your monthly power requirement is less than 150 units? In that case, you can consider installing a 1 kW solar system. We have written a blog on the cost of installing a 1 kW solar system. You can read the blog on 1 kilowatt solar system price to check if a 1 kW system satisfies your needs.
On the other hand, if you want to generate over 600 units of electricity monthly, you should install a 5 kW solar system.
Here’s a list of key components of a 3 kW solar system:
The solar panels convert the sun’s radiation into solar electricity. The technology of a panel decides its efficiency.
You can learn about the top solar panels in India on our blog:
The electricity generated by solar panels is Direct Current (DC). DC must be converted into Alternating Current (AC) before it is stored in a battery or exported to the grid.
You have to install an inverter for the AC-DC conversion. You can read our blog to learn about the best solar inverters in India.
Your solar panels will be set up on a mounting structure. Thus, the mounting structure must be strong and resistant to corrosion.
You can read my blog on mounting structures for solar panels to learn about different kinds of mounting structures.
A net meter calculates the electricity exported to and imported from the DISCOM’s grid. Ultimately, you pay for the net consumption of electricity, or earn electricity credits.
Note: Net metering is mandatory only for on-grid and hybrid solar system. It is not required in a off-grid solar system.
The ACDB box is located between your inverter and the appliances. An ACDB box safeguards household appliances from voltage fluctuations by using a Surge Protection Device (SPD) and MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker).
The DCDB box is located between the solar panels and the inverter. It protects the inverter from voltage fluctuations and short circuits.
The output from multiple solar panels is sent to the Array Junction Box (AJB). The combined solar electricity generated by all the panels is sent to the inverter via a single wire.
Lightning can permanently damage your solar panels. The lightning arrester has to be installed close to the solar panels to prevent the lightning from striking the panels.
You need components such as conduit pipes, MC4 connectors, and wires in your solar system. Your vendor will connect the solar panels using MC4 connectors. AC and DC wires will be used in the ACDB and DCDB.
To achieve India’s goal of installing 40 GW of rooftop solar installations, you too can install a solar system. At Das Energie Private Limited, we have created a transparent platform for you to search and compare quotations for installing your solar system.
A TOPCon or a mono-PERC panel usually has a length of 2.3 m and a width of 1.2 m.
Thus, the area of 1 panel is 2.3 x 1.2 sq. metres = 2.76 sq. metres = 29.7 sq. ft.
As you need 6 mono-PERC or TOPCon panels to install a 3 kW system, the area occupied them is 29.7 x 6 sq. ft. = 178.2 sq. ft
In addition to the area occupied by the panels, you must account for the area between the panels.
A 3 kilowatt solar system can easily power an average Indian home. Financially, it can be one of the best investments for a middle-class household. It can permanently reduce electricity bills to almost zero. Once you have recovered the investment, you can even upgrade and buy a new solar system for increased savings and efficiency.
Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, you can get a subsidy of Rs. 78,000 for installing a 3 kW system. Your state government may also have a subsidy scheme for rooftop solar installations.
The main eligibility criteria are that your panels must be DCR-certified and listed in the ALMM. The vendor who installs your solar system must be empanelled with your DISCOM. Your DISCOM must be enlisted with the MNRE as well.
If you use TOPCon or mono-PERC half cut solar panels, you will need 6 panels. While mono-PERC half cut panels have an average capacity of 550 W, TOPCon panels have an average capacity of 570 W.
A 3 kW solar system generates 360 units of electricity monthly. If your electricity tariff is Rs. 8/unit, you can save Rs. 8 x 360 = Rs. 2,880 monthly.
Your home appliances run on Alternating Current (AC). But the electricity generated by the solar system is Direct Current (DC). The solar inverter converts the DC into AC. It is then sent to your DISCOM’s grid so that it can be used to meet the electricity needs of other customers.
The major components of a solar system are the solar panels, solar inverter, mounting structure, ACDB and DCDB, and lightning arrester.
Since you will need 6 panels if you install TOPCon or mono-PERC half cut panels, you will need an area of 178 sq. feet. To this, you must also add the area between the panels.
Mr Das’ expertise spans various aspects of solar energy, including photovoltaic technology, solar thermal systems, and energy storage solutions. He contributes profusely to our blogs to share his keen knowledge and expertise with those seeking information regarding solar system installation. He brings a wealth of practical knowledge and real-world experience to his writing. His articles offer valuable guidance on navigating the intricacies of solar energy projects, from site assessment and system sizing to financing options and maintenance strategies.
2 Comments
Chandan
I want to install 3 kw solar panel at my home. Give me quotation.
Vishal Roy
3 kw is probably the most common, my neighbour just installed it. This blog made me think about installing too!