Rooftop solar — frequently asked questions
Straight answers on cost, subsidy, and how RainbowHome works. For the exact formulas behind the estimate, see how we calculate.
- How much does rooftop solar cost in India?
- A fully-installed grid-tied residential system runs roughly ₹55,000 per kW as a mid-market benchmark — so about ₹1.6–1.7 lakh for a typical 3 kW home system before subsidy. Actual quotes vary with panel brand, inverter, and roof structure. After the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, the net cost of a 3 kW system is around ₹85,000–90,000.
- What is the PM Surya Ghar subsidy and how much can I get?
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the central government's rooftop solar subsidy. It pays ₹30,000 for the first kW, ₹30,000 for the second, and ₹18,000 for the third — capped at ₹78,000 for a 3 kW or larger system. The subsidy is credited to your bank account after installation and inspection, not deducted upfront.
- Is RainbowHome free to use?
- Yes. The calculator, the installer comparison, and the loan comparison are all free, with no account required. You only share contact details if you choose to request a quote, and consent is never pre-ticked.
- Does RainbowHome install solar panels?
- No. RainbowHome never installs. We are a neutral aggregator — we help you estimate, compare vetted installers, and line up financing. The install is done by the independent installer you choose. This is deliberate: it lets us rank installers on merit rather than steer you to our own crew.
- How accurate is the savings estimate?
- It is a transparent model, not a quote. We size your system from your electricity bill and your state's solar yield, apply the published subsidy, and project 25 years of savings with panel degradation and tariff inflation built in. Shading, roof orientation, and your DISCOM's net-metering policy move the real number — see the methodology page for every formula and assumption.
- How long does it take to get rooftop solar installed?
- Typically 30 to 90 days end to end. After you register on the PM Surya Ghar portal, your DISCOM checks feasibility, a registered vendor installs the system (1–2 days of actual work), the DISCOM fits a net meter and inspects, and the subsidy follows the commissioning certificate within about 30 days.
- What is net metering?
- Net metering lets your rooftop system export surplus power to the grid and spin your meter backwards. You are billed only on your net consumption. It is what makes a grid-tied system financially worthwhile, and it is arranged with your DISCOM as part of the installation.
- Do I need to own my home to go solar?
- You need a roof you are authorised to install on and a valid electricity connection in your name (or the household's). Owners of independent houses qualify directly; apartment residents usually need housing-society approval for a shared rooftop system.
- How does RainbowHome make money if the tools are free?
- When you choose an installer or financing partner through RainbowHome, we earn a one-time referral fee from that partner. Your quote is never higher because of us — partners commit to passing through the same pricing they would offer you directly. We do not sell your data or run ads on the calculator.
- Will I get spammed with sales calls?
- No. The estimate runs without an account. We pass your contact details to a partner only after you tick a consent box asking for a quote. You control when — and whether — anyone contacts you.
- How long do solar panels last?
- Quality panels are warrantied for around 25 years and typically still produce 80–85% of their original output at the end of that period. Our 25-year projection accounts for this gradual decline at about 0.5% per year.
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