Solar vs Grid Cost ComparisonSee Exactly When Solar Beats Your Electricity Bill
Enter your current electricity bill, annual tariff hike, and solar system cost — get a year-by-year visual showing when your solar investment pays off and how much you save over 10 years.
Visual Breakeven
See the exact year your solar investment crosses over and starts beating your grid bill — shown on a clear chart.
10-Year Projection
Year-by-year table comparing cumulative grid spend vs cumulative solar cost with annual savings highlighted.
Tariff Hike Modelled
India's electricity tariffs rise ~5% every year. This calculator factors that in, making grid costs grow faster over time.
Solar vs Grid — 10-Year Cost Calculator
Enter your bill and solar details to see the full 10-year financial picture
Current Grid Usage
India tariffs have risen avg 4–6% annually since 2010.
Annual cleaning, inverter servicing. Typical: ₹1,500–₹3,000
Your Solar System
Gross cost: ₹165,000 → Net after subsidy: ₹87,000
Quick Reference — Solar vs Grid for Common Bills
Based on 5% annual tariff hike, ₹55K/kW install cost, avg 5.5 sun hrs (India). Includes PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
| Monthly Bill | System Size | PM Subsidy | Net Cost | Breakeven Year | 10-Yr Savings vs Grid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹1,500/mo | 1.5 kW | ₹45K | ₹37.5K | 4.2 yrs | ₹1.1L |
| ₹3,000/mo | 3 kW | ₹78K | ₹87K | 4.8 yrs | ₹2.8L |
| ₹5,000/mo | 5 kW | ₹78K | ₹1.97L | 5.5 yrs | ₹4.4L |
| ₹8,000/mo | 7 kW | ₹78K | ₹3.07L | 5.8 yrs | ₹6.8L |
Use the calculator above to get your exact numbers. Check your exact subsidy →
Why India's Tariff Hike Makes Solar Inevitable
India's electricity tariffs have been rising at 4–6% annually for over a decade. States like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have seen even sharper hikes due to distribution losses and fuel cost pressures. For consumers, this means a ₹3,000 monthly bill today will likely exceed ₹6,000 within 10–12 years — without any change in usage.
Solar, on the other hand, locks in your energy cost at installation day. Once installed, your solar system generates free electricity for 25+ years with only minor annual maintenance. The math compounds in your favour every year as the grid price climbs.
The PM Surya Ghar scheme — offering up to ₹78,000 in central subsidy — dramatically shortens the breakeven timeline, often bringing it under 5 years for average households.
Grid cost projection at 5% annual hike — ₹3K/month starting bill
Solar vs Grid Cost — FAQ
Common questions about the 10-year financial comparison
For most Indian homes, solar breaks even in 4–6 years after PM Surya Ghar subsidy. Without subsidy it's 6–8 years. Homes with high electricity bills (above ₹3,000/month) or in high-tariff states (Delhi, Maharashtra) see faster breakeven. The annual 5% tariff hike accelerates the crossover.
