Off-Grid Solar in India
Full energy independence with battery storage — works through blackouts, needs no DISCOM. But batteries are expensive, they wear out, and there's no subsidy. Here's the honest picture.
Best for: Rural homes, farmhouses, areas with 4+ hours of daily outage, or anyone who cannot tolerate a power cut.
What "off-grid" means
An off-grid system is fully self-contained. Panels charge a battery bank during the day; the battery powers your home at night and during outages. You're either not connected to the DISCOM at all, or you keep the grid connection purely as emergency backup.
How the money works
You're not selling anything. Your return is the electricity bill you avoid entirely, plus the diesel generator you stop running. In areas with 6+ hours of daily load-shedding, the diesel fuel savings alone — running a DG costs ₹18–25 per unit — often justify the system.
What it costs
Off-grid runs ₹95,000–140,000 per kWp — far more than on-grid, because the battery is 40–50% of the total. And unlike panels, batteries wear out and must be replaced.
| Battery type | Cost | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|
| Lead-acid tubular | ~₹12,000/kWh | 4–6 years | Cheapest upfront, shortest life, ~50% usable depth |
| Lithium LFP | ~₹28,000/kWh | 10–15 years | Best balance; ~85% usable depth |
| Lithium premium | ~₹38,000/kWh | 12–15 years | Highest quality, longest warranty |
Plan for replacement. With lead-acid, budget for a full battery swap around year 6 — and again around year 12 — over a 25-year system life. This "lifetime battery cost" is the single biggest hidden number in off-grid, and our calculator spells it out for you.
Why off-grid systems are oversized
You size an off-grid system for your worst day, not your average. Two consecutive cloudy days with no grid means your battery must carry the entire load. This is why off-grid systems are typically 30–50% larger than an equivalent on-grid system for the same home. Monsoon-heavy regions like Kerala and coastal Karnataka need even more headroom — plan for 2–3 days of battery autonomy.
Where off-grid wins
- Works through blackouts — the single biggest reason people go off-grid
- No DISCOM paperwork — no net-metering application, no approval wait
- Essential for remote sites — farmhouses, hill stations, telecom towers, border areas
- Replaces diesel generators at ₹18–25 per unit
The catches
- No subsidy. PM Surya Ghar requires a grid connection and net metering, so off-grid residential systems get nothing.
- Batteries die. Factor replacement into your true cost of ownership.
- Higher maintenance than on-grid — a strong local service network matters more than a big brand name.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get any subsidy for off-grid?
Not the residential PM Surya Ghar subsidy — that requires grid connection and net metering. Certain state or sector-specific schemes (agriculture, remote electrification) may apply in some cases, but standard residential off-grid does not qualify.
What's the difference from hybrid?
A
hybrid system stays grid-connected and keeps a small battery only for essentials during outages. Off-grid disconnects entirely and must carry your full load on batteries. Hybrid is cheaper and can still claim subsidy on the solar portion; off-grid is for places where the grid is absent or hopeless.
How many days of battery backup do I need?
1.5 days is the practical minimum for most of India. Monsoon-heavy or remote/critical sites should use 2–3 days. More autonomy means a bigger, costlier battery bank, so it's a direct trade-off against budget.
See your off-grid numbers — including battery replacement
The calculator sizes your battery, prices it by chemistry, and shows the lifetime replacement cost most quotes hide.
Open the calculator →
ℹ️Figures are indicative estimates based on standard assumptions. Actual cost, generation, and battery life depend on your site, usage, and vendor. Not financial or engineering advice.