A 5 kW system is the right size for larger Kerala homes: two or three ACs, an induction cooktop, a water heater or an electric car. This guide covers what it costs, what the subsidy covers, how much it makes and saves, and when 5 kW is worth it over 3 kW.
5 kW solar price in Kerala with subsidy
| 5 kW on-grid system | |
|---|---|
| Price before subsidy | ₹3,20,000 |
| PM Surya Ghar subsidy | ₹78,000 |
| Your net cost | ₹2,42,000 |
| Price per kW | about ₹64,000 |
| Units made a month | about 667 |
| Roof needed | about 450 sq ft, shade-free |
The price includes DCR panels, the inverter, a hot-dip galvanized mounting structure, wiring, earthing and lightning protection, installation, and the KSEB net-metering and subsidy paperwork. GST on solar systems is now effectively about 8.9%, and is included. Your exact price depends on your roof and the equipment you choose.
What the subsidy covers on 5 kW
The PM Surya Ghar subsidy stops rising at 3 kW: ₹30,000 a kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third. So a 5 kW system gets ₹78,000, the same as 3 kW, and the extra 2 kW is paid in full. The subsidy is paid into your bank account after KSEB commissions the system, so you pay the full price first. Our Kerala solar subsidy guide explains who qualifies and how long it takes.
What a 5 kW system makes and saves
In Kerala, 1 kW of rooftop solar makes about 133 units a month, so 5 kW makes about 667 units a month, or 8,000 a year. Take a home using 667 units a month (1,333 on the two-monthly bill):
| Without solar | With 5 kW solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Units a month on the bill | 667 | 0 |
| Energy charge | 667 × ₹9.20 = ₹6,136 | ₹0 |
| Electricity duty (10%) | ₹614 | ₹0 |
| Fixed charge | ₹310 | ₹50 |
| Two-monthly bill | about ₹14,120 | about ₹100 |
That is a saving of about ₹84,000 a year. With a net cost of ₹2,42,000, the system pays for itself in about three years, from panels with a 25 to 30-year performance warranty. Our KSEB solar bill guide shows how these bills are worked out.
3 kW or 5 kW?
Size the system to your use. Divide your two-monthly KSEB units by 266 to get the size in kW. A 3 kW system is enough for homes using about 800 units every two months; 5 kW suits homes using about 1,333.
| 3 kW | 5 kW | |
|---|---|---|
| Net cost after subsidy | ₹1,37,000 | ₹2,42,000 |
| Units a month | about 400 | about 667 |
| Suits a two-monthly bill of | about ₹7,500 | about ₹14,000 |
| Roof needed | about 270 sq ft | about 450 sq ft |
| Typical home | One or two ACs | Two or three ACs, EV or heavy cooking load |
For the larger home above, a 3 kW system would leave 267 units a month on the bill, about ₹4,400 every two months. The extra 2 kW costs ₹1,05,000 and removes that, saving about ₹25,800 a year, so it pays back in about four years. If your use is well above 800 units every two months and you have the roof space, 5 kW is worth it. If you only expect your use to grow, you can start with 3 kW and add panels later, as long as the inverter has room. See sizing solar from your KSEB bill.
Panels, inverter and roof space
- Panels: ten 540 W panels (5.4 kW) or eight 610 W TOPCon panels (4.88 kW), about 650 to 720 units a month depending on the panel
- Inverter: a 5 kW on-grid string inverter, or SolarEdge with optimizers (SE5000H) for roofs with partial shade. See SolarEdge vs string inverter
- Roof: about 450 sq ft of shade-free terrace or sheet roof. An elevated structure lets you keep using the terrace
- Connection: we check your KSEB connection and connected load during the site survey, and handle any change KSEB needs
5 kW hybrid system with battery backup
A 5 kW hybrid system adds a battery so the fans, lights, fridge and Wi-Fi keep running in a power cut. It costs more than on-grid, mainly for the battery, which carries 18% GST and gets no subsidy. The subsidy on the solar panels stays the same ₹78,000. Most homes need only a 2 to 5 kWh battery for essential loads. We quote hybrid systems after looking at what you want to back up; see hybrid solar systems in Kerala.
Paying for a 5 kW system with a loan
Under the SBI Surya Ghar loan, systems above 3 kW can be financed up to ₹6 lakh at about 8.15% a year, for applicants with a net annual income of ₹3 lakh or more. Borrowing 90% of the ₹3,20,000 price over 10 years works out to an EMI of about ₹3,517 a month, about half the monthly bill saving. Try your own numbers with our solar loan EMI calculator.
Common questions
What is the price of a 5 kW solar system in Kerala with subsidy?
₹3,20,000 before subsidy and ₹2,42,000 after the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar subsidy, for Jasper Solar's 2026 on-grid home system.
How many units does a 5 kW solar system make in Kerala?
About 667 units a month, or 8,000 a year, with more in the dry months and less in the monsoon.
How many ACs can a 5 kW solar system run?
Two to three 1.5-ton inverter ACs for several hours a day, alongside normal home use. Net metering covers night-time use from the units you export in the day.
Does a 5 kW system get more subsidy than 3 kW?
No. The subsidy stops at ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above.
How much roof space does a 5 kW system need?
About 450 sq ft of shade-free roof, or roughly 90 sq ft per kW.
Jasper Solar is MNRE empanelled and KSEB authorized, and handles the site survey, installation, net meter and subsidy claim. Prices and subsidy rules can change, so we confirm both when we quote. Book a free home visit for a quote for your roof.
Sources
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, PM Surya Ghar national portal
- Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission, LT-I domestic tariff, 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027
- State Bank of India, Surya Ghar rooftop solar loan terms, as of October 2026
Er. Akhil S.TProject Engineer, Jasper Solar Solutions
Project engineer with 7 years in the solar field and more than 400 completed solar projects. Akhil designs and oversees rooftop installations for homes and businesses, from site survey to KSEB commissioning.
