Mumbai is a unique solar market in India. The city’s solar irradiance is lower than inland Maharashtra cities due to high humidity and an extended monsoon. Installation costs are higher than the national average. And unusually, Mumbai has three separate electricity distributors serving different parts of the city. Despite these factors, rooftop solar in Mumbai still makes financial sense for mid-to-high consumption households, particularly those in the upper MSEDCL, Adani Electricity, or Tata Power tariff slabs.

Mumbai’s three electricity distributors

MSEDCL covers the suburbs of Mumbai, including Thane, Navi Mumbai, and parts of Greater Mumbai outside the urban core.

Adani Electricity Mumbai (formerly BSES) covers central suburbs and the island city area including Andheri, Bandra, Kurla, Dharavi, and many parts of the western and central suburbs.

Tata Power Distribution covers parts of the island city and some suburban areas.

Your electricity bill clearly states which company serves your connection. The solar and net metering process differs across the three, though the PM Surya Ghar central subsidy is available to all eligible residential consumers regardless.

Solar irradiance in Mumbai: realistic expectations

Mumbai receives average solar irradiance of 4.5 to 5.0 kWh per square metre per day, lower than inland cities due to humidity and an intense 5 to 6 month monsoon.

A 3 kW system in Mumbai typically generates 290 to 360 units per month in good months and significantly less during monsoon. Annual generation is approximately 3,600 to 4,200 units. This is 20 to 30 percent less than the same system would generate in Jaipur or Ahmedabad.

This lower generation means Mumbai’s payback periods are longer than for most other major Indian cities.

What does solar cost in Mumbai?

Mumbai’s installation costs are among the higher in India, reflecting labour costs, logistics, and the complexity of many Mumbai rooftops (older buildings, sloped tiles, terrace access issues).

System size	Price range in Mumbai (fully installed, before subsidy)
1 kW	Rs 70,000 to Rs 95,000
2 kW	Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.65 lakh
3 kW	Rs 1.65 lakh to Rs 2.2 lakh
5 kW	Rs 2.6 lakh to Rs 3.6 lakh

After the Rs 78,000 PM Surya Ghar central subsidy, net cost for a 3 kW system is approximately Rs 87,000 to Rs 1.42 lakh.

Monthly savings in Mumbai

Monthly consumption	Estimated monthly saving (3 kW system)
300 units	Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,200
450 units	Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000
600 units	Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500

Savings are highest for households in the upper Adani or Tata Power tariff slabs, where per-unit cost is significant. MSEDCL suburban consumers on lower slabs see lower rupee savings.

Payback period in Mumbai is typically 5 to 7 years after the central subsidy, longer than in inland cities but still well within the 25-year system life.

Net metering process by distributor in Mumbai

MSEDCL suburban Mumbai: Follows standard MSEDCL Maharashtra process. Urban suburban areas see 4 to 8 weeks for net meter installation.

Adani Electricity Mumbai: Has its own net metering process through the Adani portal. The PM Surya Ghar central subsidy still applies, but the DISCOM-side application goes through Adani’s solar registration. Check adanielectricity.com for the current process.

Tata Power Distribution: Similarly has its own solar and net metering process. Check tatapower.com/distribution for current solar application details.

For Adani and Tata Power consumers, verify the exact current process with each company’s solar helpdesk before starting, as it may differ from the standard MSEDCL flow on the PM Surya Ghar portal.

Common challenges for Mumbai homeowners

Rooftop access and rights. In multi-storey buildings, terrace access and solar rights are governed by your society’s bylaws and the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act. Get written consent from your housing society before proceeding.

Monsoon and waterproofing. Mumbai’s intense monsoon means waterproofing around mounting structures is critical. Use an installer experienced with Mumbai rooftops who understands local rainfall loads and proper sealing practices.

Panel soiling. Mumbai’s air quality and humidity mean panels accumulate grime faster than in drier cities. Factor in quarterly cleaning (at minimum) to maintain output.

Summing up

Mumbai’s lower irradiance and higher costs make rooftop solar a longer-payback investment than in most other Indian cities. However, for households in the upper tariff slabs consuming 450 units or more per month, the economics still work well over a 25-year horizon. The central subsidy significantly reduces the barrier.