MDSS
Solar Solutions
The MDSS solar guide

Everything you need to know about solar — in plain words.

System types, batteries, on-grid vs off-grid, real budgets and what you actually get for them. No jargon, no salesman tricks.

System typesPrimary usesPower consumptionBatteriesOn / Off / HybridBudget guide
01 · System types

What type of solar system do you need?

3–10 kW

Residential

1 – 10 kW for homes

Rooftop solar that powers fans, lights, fridge, AC. Cuts your monthly bill by 60–95%. Eligible for PM Surya Ghar subsidy up to ₹78,000.

10–200 kW

Commercial

10 – 200 kW for offices, shops

Sized for daytime business loads. Best payback (3–5 years) because peak generation matches working hours. Eligible for accelerated depreciation.

200 kW – 5 MW

Industrial

200 kW – MW scale

MW-scale plants for factories. CapEx or RESCO/PPA options. Net-metering or open-access wheeling. Reduces operating cost dramatically.

1–25 kW

Agricultural

Pumps, cold-storage, farms

Solar water pumps (KUSUM scheme), farm electrification, cold-storage. Up to 60% subsidy from central + state.

02 · Primary use

What will you use your solar for?

Reduce your electricity bill

Most popular. Generate during the day, sell surplus to the grid. Bills drop 60-95% in the first month.

Full home backup

Hybrid system with batteries — works even when grid fails. Recommended in load-shedding areas.

Run heavy loads (AC)

Designed for high daytime usage — ACs, geysers, pumps. Larger panel array and inverter sizing.

Pump / water systems

Solar-direct pumps for farms or buildings. No electricity meter needed. Subsidised under PM-KUSUM.

Sell electricity to grid

Pure on-grid: every kWh you generate offsets your bill (net-metering) and excess earns ₹3-4 per unit.

EV charging

Charge your e-car or e-bike from rooftop solar. Pairs beautifully with a small battery bank.

03 · Daily consumption

How much electricity does your home actually use?

Pull out your last electricity bill. Look at "units consumed" — divide by 30 to get daily kWh. Or use our calculator to estimate from appliances.

Small home
Below 5 kWh / day
2 fans, 6 lights, 1 TV, 1 fridge
1 – 2 kW solar
Medium home
5 – 10 kWh / day
+ 1 AC, washing machine
3 – 5 kW solar
Large home
10 – 20 kWh / day
2-3 ACs, geyser, full appliances
5 – 8 kW solar
Commercial / Industrial
20+ kWh / day
Shop, restaurant, factory
10+ kW solar
Don't want to guess? Add your appliances in our calculator and we'll compute it precisely.Open calculator
04 · Battery options

Which battery is right for you?

Lithium-ion (LiFePO₄)

Most installations today
Lifespan10 – 15 years
Usable depth90% usable
CostPremium
Pros
  • Compact, wall-mountable
  • Maintenance-free
  • 3,500+ cycles
  • Safe chemistry
Cons
  • Higher upfront cost

Tubular Lead-Acid

Budget installations
Lifespan4 – 6 years
Usable depth50% usable
CostEconomical
Pros
  • Lowest upfront price
  • Proven Indian-made tech
  • Easy to replace
Cons
  • Bulky, needs ventilation
  • Water top-up needed
  • Heavier on long-run cost

Gel / SMF (sealed)

Small backup needs
Lifespan3 – 5 years
Usable depth60% usable
CostMid-range
Pros
  • Sealed, zero maintenance
  • Indoor safe
  • Lower self-discharge
Cons
  • Shorter life
  • Sensitive to overcharge
Our honest take: for 90% of new installations in 2026, lithium-ion (LiFePO₄) is the right choice. The slightly higher upfront cost is paid back through longer life and better usable capacity.
05 · Grid type

On-Grid, Off-Grid, or Hybrid?

On-Grid

Best for: Stable-grid areas, lowest cost

Connected to electricity board grid via net-metering. No batteries. You sell surplus, buy at night.

Pros
  • Cheapest setup
  • Fastest payback (3–5 yrs)
  • Lowest maintenance
  • Eligible for ₹78,000 subsidy
Cons
  • Stops during power-cuts
  • No backup capability

Off-Grid

Best for: Remote areas, no grid

Fully independent — solar + batteries only. Common for villages, farms, hill stations without grid.

Pros
  • Complete energy independence
  • Works without any grid
  • Ideal for remote sites
Cons
  • Higher cost (batteries)
  • Slower payback (7–10 yrs)
  • Battery replacement after 5–10 yrs

Hybrid

Best for: Most homes in India

Solar + battery + grid backup. Powers home from solar by day, batteries at night, grid as final fallback.

Pros
  • Backup during power-cuts
  • Net-metering eligible
  • Best of both worlds
  • Future-proof
Cons
  • Higher cost than on-grid
  • Slightly longer payback (5–7 yrs)
06 · Budget guide

What does your budget get you?

Honest 2026 pricing for India. Includes panels, inverter, structure, wiring, installation and warranty. Subsidies (PM Surya Ghar up to ₹78,000) may reduce these further for residential rooftop.

Budget rangeYou getBest suited forMonthly savings*
Below ₹1 Lakh1 – 1.5 kW on-grid, basicSingle-room home, small shop₹800 – ₹1,200 / month
₹1 – 3 Lakh2 – 4 kW on-grid + small inverterSmall home (1-2 BHK)₹2,000 – ₹3,500 / month
₹3 – 6 Lakh5 – 8 kW hybrid + lithium batteryMid-size home (3-4 BHK)₹4,500 – ₹7,000 / month
₹6 – 10 Lakh8 – 12 kW hybrid, large batteryLarge home, small office₹7,000 – ₹12,000 / month
₹10 Lakh +15+ kW commercial / industrialShowroom, factory, farm₹15,000+ / month
* Assumes ₹8/unit grid tariff and 5 daily peak sun hours. Actual savings vary by location and consumption pattern.
Common doubts

Still wondering?

Ready to design your system?

Two ways to get started — use the calculator to design from your appliances, or send us your requirements directly.

Open the calculatorSend my requirement