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Gone are the days when residential solar was stuck with standard 330-watt solar modules that had lower power generation capacity. The advent of 500-watt solar panels like SolarSquare’s 545-watt MonoPERC half-cut bifacial panels has changed the face of power generation by on-grid solar systems at homes. Naturally, what comes to mind next is whether or not the 500-watt solar panel price is still affordable. And the good news is, yes!

But before we can walk you through the ins and outs of the 500-watt solar panel price in India, you must understand that a solar panel alone doesn’t make the entire solar system. When you install solar at home (no matter which module size or type you choose), you’re paying the price for the entire system, not just the panels.  

With that established, the next question is how much a 500-watt single solar panel costs. The cost varies depending on the type of panel in question.

For demonstration purposes, let’s take into account two types here: polycrystalline and monocrystalline modules:

  • 500-watt solar panel price for monocrystalline DCR modules in subsidy projects: Rs. 13,500* to Rs. 16,500*
  • 500-watt solar panel price for bifacial modules: Rs. 12,000*

*Please note: The 500-watt solar panel price listed above is not fixed. The prices vary from city to city. Moreover, a 500-watt single solar panel cannot make a solar system. You would still require two solar panels of 500 watts each to make a 1 kW solar system.

In this blog, we will walk you through the detailed 500-watt solar panel specifications, prices and the factors that influence those prices, whether or not you get a subsidy for installing a 500-watt solar panel, and a detailed explanation on how to find out the ideal solar system size for your home based on your annual electricity consumption, and more. Let’s begin!

500-watt Solar Panel Price in India and Subsidy Details

Did you know? A solar system combines many components, including solar panels, mounting structures, AC and DC cables and combiner boxes, solar accessories, and a solar inverter. All these components work in tandem to generate electricity from sunlight, which then powers your home.

Solar panels are the most visible component of the system. They capture sunlight and convert it to electricity.  

Earlier, most residential installations used 330-watt solar panels (modules). Using 500-watt solar panels has become the new normal in residential solar. And the final price for solar installation in India heavily depends upon the type of panel technology you pick. The higher the panel efficiency, the higher the cost.

Before we talk about the prices, you must also know that there are four major types of 500-watt solar panels: Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, Bifacial, and MonoPERC half-cut Bifacial. Let’s look into all of these in detail. 

  • Monocrystalline 500-Watt Solar Panels: As the name suggests, this type of solar panel is made of mono-silicon cells. It offers a staggering efficiency of 19% to 20%.  
  • Polycrystalline 500-Watt Solar Panels: The second type, polycrystalline solar panels, are cheaper than monocrystalline panels. They are made of multi-crystalline cells and have an efficiency of about 16% to 17%. 
  • Bifacial 500-Watt Solar Panels: Unlike the other two, this solar panel has mono cells attached to both sides. Therefore, it is more efficient and provides up to 22% energy output. For this reason, a 500-watt solar panel price for the bifacial type is higher.
  • MonoPERC 500-Watt Half-cut Bifacial Solar Panels: These are the latest types that use a blend of many technologies to increase efficiency. They are made of monocrystalline silicon, using the PERC technology. They’re the most efficient type of modules out of the four types. Their efficiency rate can shoot up to 22.5%.  

Now that you know the four major types, let’s also break down their prices:

  • 500-watt solar panel price for DCR monocrystalline modules in subsidy projects: Rs. 13,500* to Rs. 16,500*
  • 500-watt solar panel price for MonoPERC half-cut bifacial modules: Rs. 12,000*

*Please note: The 500-watt solar panel price listed above is not fixed. The prices vary from city to city. Moreover, a 500-watt single solar panel cannot make a solar system. You would still require two solar panels of 500 watts each to make a 1 kW solar system.

➡️ In fact, if you plan to install an off-grid or hybrid solar system, you’ll also have to keep in mind the nominal system voltage when purchasing. Whether you plan to have a 12-volt or a 24-volt battery bank must be considered. In general, the 500-watt 12-volt solar panel price in India is cheaper than the 500-watt 24-volt solar panel price in India. 

Do You Get a Solar Subsidy to Install 500-watt Solar Panels?

To set the record straight from the very beginning, let’s make this clear: the Indian government does offer a subsidy, but it starts from 1 kW solar systems only. Which means, if you install a system with just a single 500-watt solar panel:

  • You will not get a subsidy
  • The system will not be practical since a single 500-watt solar panel cannot generate enough electricity to keep an average Indian household running

Having said that, when you use 500-watt solar panels to install higher capacity solar systems, you automatically qualify for a subsidy (provided, you meet the eligibility criteria, which we have discussed in a later section).

Here’s a glimpse of how much solar subsidy is provided to homeowners under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:

  • Subsidy for 1-2 kW solar system: Rs. 30,000 per kilowatt
  • Subsidy for additional capacity till 3 kW: Rs. 18,000
  • Subsidy for 3 kW or higher: Rs. 78,000
Did you know?
The UP government offers an additional subsidy to the city residents on top of the subsidy offered by the central government. These are the state subsidy details:
1-2 kW systems: Rs. 15,000 per kilowatt
Subsidy capped at: Rs. 30,000

So, for instance, if you are installing a 2 kW solar system in UP, the total subsidy you get will be Rs. 60,000 (central subsidy) + state subsidy (Rs. 30,000) = Rs. 90,000.

Based on the metrics above, here’s a simplified table for how much solar subsidy you can avail for systems of different capacities:

Solar System SizeSolar Subsidy for All States Except UPSolar Subsidy for UP Residents
1 kWRs. 30,000Rs. 30,000 + Rs. 15,000 = Rs. 45,000
2 kWRs. 60,000Rs. 60,000 + Rs. 30,000 = Rs. 90,000
3 kWRs. 78,000Rs. 78,000 + Rs. 30,000 = Rs. 1,08,000
3 kWRs. 78,000Rs. 78,000 + Rs. 30,000 = Rs. 1,08,000
10 kWRs. 78,000Rs. 78,000 + Rs. 30,000 = Rs. 1,08,000

Eligibility Criteria to Get a Subsidy Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

The Indian government has pledged to solarize 1 crore Indian homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. And offering a subsidy is the government’s way to make solar affordable and more popular. However, this comes with an expiration date. The subsidy will only be offered till March 31, 2026.

Here are some simple conditions to avail a subsidy. If you fit this checklist, you, too, can take the help of the financial assistance being offered by the government:

  • You must be an Indian citizen
  • You must own a home with a rooftop
  • You must install ALMM-approved, made-in-India DCR modules only
  • You have never previously availed a solar subsidy

500-watt Solar Panel Specifications

Using a 500-watt solar panel is better than using standard 330-watt solar modules for the following reasons:

  • You need fewer panels to design the desired system capacity
  • Lesser rooftop space will be required
  • Less installation hardware will reduce the installation cost

That said, here are some fascinating 500-watt solar panel specifications you must know:

  • 500-watt solar panel dimensions: The 500-watt solar panel size is 6.41 feet in length and 4.20 feet in width.
  • 500-watt solar panel warranty for manufacturing defects: 2 to 5 years
  • 500-watt solar panel warranty for performance issues: 10 to 15 years
  • 500-watt monocrystalline module efficiency: 19% to 20%.
  • 500-watt solar polycrystalline module efficiency: 16% to 17%
  • 500-watt bifacial module efficiency: 22%
  • 500-watt MonoPERC half-cut bifacial module efficiency: 22.5%

*Please note: The warranty periods are based on standard estimates. You need to check with your brand and confirm the actual warranty offered. If you choose SolarSquare as your vendor, we will transparently guide you on the warranty details based on the module type you select. 

How Many 500-watt Solar Panels Do You Need to Make a System of Desired Capacity?

Let’s first talk about how to find the right system size for your home. The process is pretty straightforward.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Review your electricity bills from last year 
  • Calculate the average number of units consumed in a year
  • Divide your home’s yearly energy consumption by the number of units produced by a 1 kW solar system (1,400* units/year).

*On average, a 1 kW solar system produces 1,400-1,450 units per year.

Here’s what the ideal solar system size looks like based on the calculation tactics listed above:

Yearly Energy ConsumptionIdeal Solar System Capacity for Your Home
1,400-1,450 units1 kW solar system
2,800-2,900 units2 kW solar system
4,200-4,350 units3 kW solar system
7,000-7,250 units5 kW solar system
14,000-14,500 units10 kW solar system

Now that you know what system size would be ideal for your home, let’s calculate the number of 500-watt solar panels needed to build that system.

Number of 500-Watt Panels Required to Build a Desired System Capacity

Let’s assume you want to install a 2 KW solar system, and you want to know the number of solar panels you need. 

Here’s how it can be done: divide the solar system’s capacity by the solar panel’s capacity. 

In this case, 2,000 watts/500 watts = 4.

Hence, you would require four 500-watt solar panels for a 2 KW solar system

Based on the calculation formula above, here’s a tabulated snapshot of the number of 500-watt solar panels needed to design different capacity solar systems:

Solar System SizeCalculation Based on FormulaNumber of 500-watt Solar Panels Required
1 kW1,000 watts/ 500 watts2
2 kW2,000 watts/ 500 watts4
3 kW3,000 watts/ 500 watts6
5 kW4,000 watts/ 500 watts8
10 kW5,000 watts/ 500 watts10

What Are the Benefits of a 500-watt Solar Panel?

Let’s get you familiar with the advantages of using 500 W solar panels: 

  • They yield more energy. Although the cost is a tad higher than that of lower-efficiency modules, it is worth the investment as these panels produce a good amount of energy. 
  • The 500-watt solar panels allow medium- and large-sized solar panel systems to work more efficiently and effectively. 

What Are the Applications of a 500-watt Solar Panel? 

If you’ve been wondering about the applications of 500-watt solar panels, here are the top uses:

  • You can use these panels to charge a generator. 
  • These panels can also power up LEDs and laptops. 
  • In bigger settings, you can power up fans, ACs, and lights with a 500-watt solar panel.
  • You can also run microwaves, heaters, and refrigerators using these panels. 

Why Choose SolarSquare as Your Vendor?

Kyunki, Mehengi Bijli se muft Bijli tak ka safar aasaan banaata hai, SolarSquare.

We have taken efficiency to a whole new level. Here’s what this means for you:

  • Your system will get installed in a record 8 hours.
  • We offer a minimum 45 site visits in five years for deep cleaning and preventive inspection, so your system keeps producing power at its maximum capacity
  • We’re India’s first and only solar vendor to offer a money-back guarantee at Rs. 8 per unit if we fall short on the power we promised your system would generate
  • If a leak occurs on your roof during the 1st year after we install solar, we will cover the repairs up to Rs. 1 lakh

Conclusion 

The invention of a 500-watt solar panel is truly a blessing. With their advent, more solar energy can be generated. Therefore, they’re a worthwhile investment in residential rooftop installations. However, the number of 500-watt solar panels you require will depend on your power requirements. 

Ready to never pay for electricity again and become truly energy independent? Book a free solar consultation call with SolarSquare now! Let us handle the nitty-gritty of going solar while you settle back to enjoy free electricity for the next 25 years of your life.

FAQs About 500 Watt Solar Panel

Q. How big is a 500-watt solar panel in feet?

A. Here are the 500-watt solar panel size details:

  • 6.41 feet in length 
  • 4.20 feet in width.

Q. What is the price of a 500-watt solar panel?

A. The price of a 500-watt solar panel depends on factors like the module type you choose and the premium voltage preference. Here are the estimated prices:

  • 500-watt solar panel price for DCR monocrystalline modules: Rs. 13,500* to Rs. 16,500*
  • 500-watt solar panel price for MonoPERC half-cut bifacial modules: Rs. 12,000*

Q. Is it worth installing 500-watt solar panels at home? 

A. Yes. Earlier, 500-watt PV panels didn’t find much use in residential installations. However, now they’re as commonly used in residential installations as in industrial and commercial setups. 

Q. Can I charge mobile phones from a 500-watt solar panel?

A. Yes, you can charge mobile phones from a 500 watt solar panel. You can also power up the chargers for mobile phones. 

Q. Is one 500 watt solar panel sufficient for 1kw solar system installation?

A. No, you need at least two 500-watt solar panels for 1kw solar system installation. The exact number, however, depends upon the type of panels you choose and the brand.

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