Rooftop solar installation process in India - step by step guide 2025
Thinking of harnessing India’s abundant sunshine? This guide explains the rooftop solar installation process from booking and site survey to net-metering approvals. Updated with 2025 subsidy figures and typical costs, it also covers solar site-survey checklists and mounting-structure types so you can make informed decisions.
Installation timeline: Booking to commissioning
Most residential systems in India reach grid-connected status within 60 days. Your exact timeline varies by state DISCOM workload and roof complexity, but the milestones remain similar nationwide:
| Day | Milestone | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Booking confirmation | Order confirmed, project manager assigned |
| 1 | Final pricing locked | We lock in component and labour rates with our suppliers |
| 3 | Site survey & paperwork | Engineer visits, measurements taken; collects KYC, electricity bill and ownership proof |
| 7 | Net metering Stage 1 application | Installer submits application to local DISCOM (e.g., BESCOM, MSEDCL, TANGEDCO) |
| 15 | Material delivery & installation start | Panels, inverters and mounting frames arrive on site; erection begins |
| 20 | Physical installation complete | Wiring, earthing and inverter commissioning finished |
| 20 | Net metering Stage 2 submission | Single-line diagram and bill of quantities uploaded to DISCOM portal |
| 40 | DISCOM approval | Utility issues clearance and schedules meter change |
| 60 | Commissioning & subsidy claim | Bi-directional meter installed; system switched on; subsidy paperwork filed |
Internal resources
• Estimate pay-back with our solar cost calculator
• Read the full 2025 subsidy guide
• See a recent customer success story
Solar site survey checklist
A rigorous site survey ensures the system is sized and engineered correctly:
- Roof structure & dimensions — material, usable area, load-bearing capacity, tilt and azimuth
- Sunlight & shading — obstacles, shade hours and annual solar access
- Electrical layout — meter location, single- vs three-phase, proposed cable runs and earthing points
- Mounting considerations — suitability for flush, tilt or ballast frames
- Permits & documents — ownership proof, ID, latest bill and state-specific net-metering forms
Using a checklist ensures nothing is missed. For example, a key part is the roof’s orientation and shading – the site survey records roof azimuth and any shading that could affect panel output. This information helps us size the system correctly and choose the best panel layout.
Fig: During the site visit, our engineer checks the rooftop and panel layout (note city skyline behind). We record roof tilt, orientation, and shading in our survey.
Solar mounting structure types
| Mount type | Ideal roof | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush / Parallel | Sloped tile or metal | Low profile, lower cost | Requires roof penetrations |
| Tilt frame | Flat concrete | Optimised tilt → higher yield | Slightly higher cost and wind load |
| Ballasted | Flat roofs with weight capacity | No drilling, protects roof | Needs extra space and ballast weight |
| Pole / Ground | Open land or yard | Easy maintenance, better cooling | Occupies ground space |
Rooftop solar cost in India (2025)
| System size | Typical turnkey cost (₹) | Central subsidy (PM Surya Ghar) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 75 000 – 85 000 | 30 000 |
| 2 kW | 1 50 000 – 1 70 000 | 60 000 |
| 3 kW | 1 90 000 – 2 15 000 | 78 000 |
| 5 kW | 3 30 000 – 3 80 000 | 78 000 (cap) |
| 10 kW | 5 80 000 – 6 40 000 | Subsidy not available |
Net metering procedure
- Online application — create portal account, upload KYC and system specs, pay fee (₹200 – ₹1 000)
- Technical scrutiny — DISCOM checks feeder capacity and design
- Agreement signing — applicant and utility sign net-metering contract
- Meter & wiring inspection — bi-directional meter installed, engineer verifies AC/DC wiring
- Synchronisation certificate — utility issues final approval; energy export begins
Maintaining a neat document bundle can shave days off the approval window.
Frequently asked questions
How long does net-metering approval take?
Across major states, approval spans 20–40 days if documents are complete.
Can I install solar without drilling my roof?
Yes—ballasted mounting uses weighted blocks on flat roofs.
Will inverter noise affect living spaces?
Modern string inverters operate below 25 dB and are usually mounted away from bedrooms.
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