3 Kilowatt Solar Panel & Solar System Price in 2024
A 3 kW solar system can generate 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. We have here given a fair idea about how much you will have to pay for the 3 kW solar panel and 3 kW solar system installation.
3 kW Solar Panel Prices according to Types
Solar panels can be categorised according to the type of cell and technology they use. For example, some cells are manufactured from a single silicon crystal, while others are made from multiple silicon crystals.
Accordingly, the following solar panels are available in the market:
- Polycrystalline
The average capacity of a polycrystalline panel is 335 W. These panels were popular earlier, but today they are outdated. You would need 9 polycrystalline panels for installing a 3 kW solar system.
Cost of Polycrystalline Panel: The average price of a single non-DCR polycrystalline panels is Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 10,000 and of DCR panels is Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000.
Cost of 3 kW Polycrystalline Solar Panel: The cost of 3 kW non-DCR polycrystalline panels is between Rs. 81,000 to Rs. 99,000 and 3 kW DCR polycrystalline panels is Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,08,000.
- Mono-PERC
Monocrystalline panels are more efficient compared to polycrystalline panels. They are equipped with PERC technology to increase their productivity. Their average capacity is 550 W. You will require 6 mono-PERC panels for a 3 kW solar system.
Cost of Mono-PERC Panel: The price of a single non-DCR panels is Rs. 10,000 to 12,000 and of DCR panels is Rs. 12,000 to 14,000.
Cost of 3 kW Mono-PERC Panel: The price of 3 kW non-DCR mono-PERC panels is Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 72,000 and 3 kW DCR mono-PERC panels is Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 84,000.
- Mono-PERC Half-Cut
Mono-PERC half-cut cells produce more electricity than mono-PERC cells when a shadow falls on them. Even if a shadow falls on one half, the other half will continue to produce electricity. The average capacity of a mono-PERC half-cut panel is 550 W. You will need 6 mono-PERC half-cut panels for a 3 kW solar system.
Cost of Mono-PERC Half-Cut Panel: The price of a single non-DCR panel is Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 12,000 and of DCR panels is Rs.12500 – Rs. 13500.
Cost of 3 kW Mono-PERC Half-Cut Panel: The price of 3 kW non-DCR mono-PERC half-cut panels is Rs. 66,000 to Rs. 72,000 and 3 kW DCR mono-PERC half-cut panels is Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 81,000.
- Mono-PERC Half Cut Bifacial
A monofacial solar panel absorbs sunlight from only one direction. However, a bifacial panel absorbs sunlight from both directions. Bifacial panels are of 2 types: glass-to-glass and glass-to-transparent back sheet. The average capacity of a mono-PERC half cut bifacial panel is 550 W. You will require 6 such panels for installing a 3 kW solar system.
Cost of Mono-PERC Half-Cut Bifacial Panel: The price of a single non-DCR mono-PERC half cut bifacial is Rs. 12000 – Rs.13000 and of DCR panels is Rs. 14000 – Rs. 15000.
Cost of 3 kW Mono-PERC Half-Cut Bifacial Panel: The price of 3 kW non-DCR mono-PERC half cut bifacial panels is Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 78,000 and of 3 kW DCR mono-PERC half cut bifacial panels is Rs. 84,000 to Rs. 90,000.
- TOPCon Bifacial (N Type)
A TOPCon panel uses a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer to increase the efficiency of the solar cells. With a bifacial panel, you can utilise sunlight entering from the rear as well. The average capacity of a 3 kW TOPCon bifacial panel is 570 W. You will require 6 TOPCon bifacial panels for a 3 kW solar system.
Cost of TOPCon Bifacial Panel: The price of the non-DCR panels is Rs.14000 – Rs. 15000 and of DCR panels is Rs.15500 – Rs. 16000.
Cost of 3 kW TOPCon Bifacial Panel: The price of 3 kW non-DCR TOPCon bifacial panels is Rs. 84,000 to Rs. 90,000 and 3 kW DCR TOPCon bifacial panels is Rs. 93,000 to Rs. 96,000.
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.
Here are the 3kW solar panel prices at a glance:
Type of Panel | Cost of 3kW Panel (DCR) | Cost of 3kW Panel (Non-DCR) |
Polycrystalline | Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,08,000 | Rs. 81,000 to Rs. 99,000 |
Mono-PERC | Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 84,000 | Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 72,000 |
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 |
Components of a 3 kW Solar System
There are several components that you must install in your solar system. Here’s a list of key components of a 3 kW solar system:
Solar Panels
The solar panels convert the sun’s radiation into solar electricity. The technology of a panel decides its efficiency. For example, mono-PERC half-cut panels are more efficient than polycrystalline ones. Here are the efficiency rates of different types of panels:
Inverter
Your household appliances run on Alternating Current (AC). That’s why your DISCOM sends AC via a grid to your home. But the electricity generated by your solar panels is Direct Current. As DC cannot directly be used in a household, it must first be converted into AC. You have to install an inverter for the AC-DC conversion. Only then can the solar electricity be exported to your DISCOM’s grid.
Mounting Structure
Your solar panels will be set up on a mounting structure. Thus, it must be strong and resistant to corrosion. Ideally, a solar system is meant to last for 25-30 years. Moreover, you must ensure that there is no sagging of the solar panels from the middle.
ACDB and DCDB Box
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.
AJB
The output from multiple solar panels is sent to the Array Junction Box (AJB). Multiple wires are used to send the electricity to the AJB. The combined solar electricity generated by all the panels is sent to the inverter via a single wire.
Lightning Arrester
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. Instead, the lightning arrester sends the lightning to the earth via earthing. You must install the lightning arrester at a good height. If the height is low, it can decrease the ability of the arrester to stop lightning from hitting the panels.
Other Components
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.
3 Kilowatt Solar System Installation Cost
The cost of installing a solar system depends on its components. I have written a blog on solar panel installation cost. You can learn about the price of all solar system components on my blog.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of a 3 kW solar system:
Solar System Component | Cost |
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 Cost | Rs. 1,90,000 to Rs. 2,30,000 |
3 kW Solar System Subsidy in India
The government has launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to increase rooftop solar installations in the country. Under the scheme, you can get a subsidy of Rs. 78,000 for installing a rooftop solar system of 3 kW. Thus, after availing of the subsidy, the cost of installing a 3kW solar system can be anywhere between Rs. 1,12,000 to Rs. 1,52,000.
You can read the blog on PM Surya Ghar Scheme to learn more about the subsidy.
Monthly Electricity Generated by a 3 kW System
A 1 kW system can generate 4 units of electricity per day. Therefore, a 3 kW system can generate 4 x 3 = 12 units of electricity per day. Monthly, a 3 kW system can generate 12 x 30 = 360 units of electricity.
Monthly Savings Generated by a 3 kW System
Typically, electricity is charged at the rate of Rs. 8/units. The monthly savings generated by a 3 kW system will be Rs. 360 x 8 = Rs. 2,880. Thus, one of the benefits of a 3 kW solar system is that it can save you around Rs. 3,000 monthly.
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 panel prices to check if a 1 kW system satisfies your needs.
Area Required for 3 kW Solar Panel
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 will be 2.3 x 1.2 sq. metres = 2.76 sq. metres = 29.7 sq. ft.
Similarly, a polycrystalline panel has a length and width of 2 m and 1 m respectively.
Area of a polycrystalline panel = 2 x 1 sq. metres = 2 sq. metres = 21.52 sq. ft.
We have already shown that you will need 9 polycrystalline panels to install a 3 kW system.
Similarly, you will need 6 mono-PERC or TOPCon panels to install a 3 kW system.
Accordingly, here’s a table which shows the area occupied by a 3 kW system depending on the type of panels it uses:
Type of Panel | Area Required |
Polycrystalline | 193.75 sq. ft |
Mono-PERC Half Cut | 178 sq. ft |
TOPCon | 178 sq. ft |
You can get the best quotations for installing a solar system on our website. Compare the quotations offered by DISCOM-empanelled vendors for installing your solar system.
The 3 kilowatt solar panel price depends on the type of cells used in the panels. The most popular panels in the market right now are mono-PERC half cut panels. They have an efficiency of 20-21%. You will need 6 mono-PERC half cut panels for a 3 kW system.
FAQs
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.
