Solar Panel System Designer —
Complete Solution for Every Need
Whether you are a homeowner planning rooftop solar, an installer sizing a system, or an engineer designing an off-grid setup — this AI-powered calculator covers everything from panel count and inverter sizing to financial ROI, government subsidies, and 25-year savings projections. Just fill in your details and get a complete professional design report instantly.
☀️ Solar Panel System Designer
Professional-grade AI calculator covering all aspects of solar system design — for designers, installers, and customers. Get complete system sizing, financial analysis, and step-by-step working instantly.
Add all your appliances to calculate exact daily energy consumption. This gives the most accurate system sizing.
| Appliance | Qty | Watts (W) | Hours/Day | Wh/Day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480 | |||||
| 2400 | |||||
| 3600 | |||||
| 500 | |||||
| 12000 | |||||
| Total Daily Energy | 18,980 Wh | ||||
Have a specific question? Describe your solar project in plain English and get expert AI guidance instantly.
Solar System Design Report
Solar Panel System — Common Questions
Everything you need to know before designing or installing your solar system.
The typical cost in India ranges from ₹55,000 to ₹75,000 per kW for quality on-grid systems including installation. A 3 kW system costs approximately ₹1.65 to ₹2.25 lakhs before subsidy. Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, residential customers get a central government subsidy of ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW, and ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above systems, significantly reducing the net cost.
For a typical residential on-grid system in India, the payback period is 4 to 7 years after subsidy. Key factors affecting payback include:
- Your current electricity tariff — higher tariff means faster payback
- System size and quality of panels used
- Available sunlight hours at your location
- Net metering availability in your area
- On-Grid: Connected to the electricity grid. No battery. Excess power exported to grid via net metering. Lowest cost. Does not work during power cuts.
- Off-Grid: Not connected to grid. Requires battery bank. Works independently. Higher cost due to batteries. Ideal for remote locations.
- Hybrid: Connected to grid AND has battery backup. Works during power cuts. Best of both worlds but higher cost. Recommended where power cuts are frequent.
As a general rule, each 1 kW of solar capacity requires approximately 80 to 100 sq ft of shadow-free roof area for standard 440W panels. So:
- 3 kW system — approximately 240 to 300 sq ft
- 5 kW system — approximately 400 to 500 sq ft
- 10 kW system — approximately 800 to 1,000 sq ft
PM Surya Ghar is the Indian Government's flagship solar subsidy scheme launched in 2024. It provides:
- 1 kW system: ₹30,000 subsidy
- 2 kW system: ₹60,000 subsidy
- 3 kW and above: ₹78,000 subsidy (maximum)
Net metering allows you to export excess solar power to the grid and earn credits on your electricity bill. During daytime when your panels produce more than you consume, the surplus units are sent to the grid. At night when you draw from the grid, those exported units offset your consumption. Most DISCOMs in India offer net metering at ₹2.50 to ₹4.50 per unit exported. This significantly improves your financial returns and reduces payback period.
This calculator is powered by Claude AI by Anthropic and uses established solar engineering formulas including peak sun hours, performance ratio, temperature derating, and string voltage calculations. Results are highly accurate for planning and budgeting purposes. However, for final installation design, always get a site assessment by a certified solar installer who will evaluate your specific roof structure, shading profile, and local DISCOM requirements before final system design.
Quality solar panels come with a 25-year performance warranty and typically last 30 years or more. Panel output degrades by approximately 0.5 to 0.7% per year — so after 25 years a panel rated at 440W will still produce around 360W. Maintenance is minimal:
- Clean panels with water every 2 to 4 weeks to remove dust
- Annual inspection of wiring and mounting structure
- Inverter typically lasts 10 to 15 years and may need replacement once
- Lithium batteries last 10 to 15 years, lead acid 5 to 7 years