Solar for a 3 BHK home
The short answer
A 3 BHK home with one air conditioner typically needs a 3 kW solar system — about ₹1,74,000 installed, ₹96,000 after the full ₹78,000 subsidy — generating 350–390 units a month, which covers the bill of most 3 BHK families.
- recommended size
- 3 kW
- recommended size
- net cost after subsidy
- ₹96,000
- net cost after subsidy
- generated per month
- 354 units
- generated per month
- typical payback
- 3 yrs
- typical payback
Why 3 kW: because 3 BHK families with one AC consume 300–400 units a month, and 3 kW is the largest subsidy tier — you get the full ₹78,000.
What it runs: one AC through summer, fridge, TV, washing machine, mixer, geyser and full lighting — with net metering balancing night-time use.
Roof needed: roughly 270–300 sq ft of shadow-free space.
Worth knowing: 3 kW is the subsidy cap — installing more than your consumption needs means paying full price for surplus capacity the DISCOM may not even credit at retail rate.
Subsidy: ₹78,000 under PM Surya Ghar (₹30,000/kW up to 2 kW, capped at ₹78,000 for 3 kW+, residential connections only) — credited after your DISCOM commissions the system.
Get real quotes for this setup
Up to three registered installers quote for your exact requirement — free, with your calculator numbers visible so every quote can be checked.
Open the calculatorFAQ
We run two ACs — should we install 5 kW?
Only if your bill says so (₹5,000+ monthly). Remember: subsidy caps at 3 kW, so the 4th and 5th kW are entirely your money, and surplus exports may be credited at lower pooled rates. Right-size to consumption.
Does a geyser change the sizing?
Geyser consumption is significant (2–3 units per hour) but it runs in winter mornings when solar output is decent. Include it in your bill — the sizing follows the bill automatically.
What are the exact numbers for MY bill and MY state?
These figures use the national-average tariff. Your state's tariff and generation numbers — and your exact bill — are on the calculator and your state's page. The maths is identical; only the local rates change.
City-level numbers
Tariffs vary by state — these pages carry your local DISCOM rates and exact cost tables: