Solar Inverter Price in India 2026: On-Grid, Hybrid, kW

On 4 October 2026, UTL's own online store sells its 3 kW on-grid solar inverter for ₹18,730, and Luminous's store sells its 3 kW model for ₹24,499. The MRPs printed on the same pages are ₹30,350 and ₹72,000. That gap is the first lesson in solar inverter prices: the sticker means little, and the real price depends on type, size and seller.

The inverter is also a small slice of the bill. A 3 kW rooftop system in Chennai costs about ₹2,10,000 before subsidy, so the inverter is roughly a tenth of it. Yet it is the part running electronics every day, the part your electricity board checks at inspection, and usually the first to need a warranty claim.

This guide gives current solar inverter prices by kW for on-grid, hybrid and off-grid models, taken from manufacturers' own price lists, and explains what to check before you buy. It does not price complete systems (our solar panel price in Chennai page does) or batteries.

Key takeaways

A home on-grid inverter costs ₹18,730 to ₹36,599 for 3 to 5 kW on UTL's and Luminous's own stores, including GST. MRPs run two to three times higher.
Hybrid inverters cost two to four times as much as on-grid ones of the same size, and not every "hybrid" can export to the grid.
Off-grid solar inverters start near ₹5,600, but budget models use a PWM charger that wastes power from modern large panels.
There is no ALMM list for inverters. The check that matters is BIS registration, plus a warranty you can actually claim.
In Tamil Nadu, the inverter's AC rating is your plant capacity, and up to 10 kW TNPDCL can use the inverter's own reading to assess generation.

What a solar inverter does, and the three types

Solar panels produce direct current (DC); your home and the grid run on alternating current (AC). The inverter converts one into the other, tracks the voltage at which the panels give the most power (the MPPT, or maximum power point tracker, built into almost every modern solar inverter), and disconnects the plant when the grid fails.

On-grid (grid-tie) - Battery: No, Exports to grid: Yes, through the net meter, Works in a power cut: No, it switches off for safety, Who it suits: Most homes and businesses whose goal is a lower bill
Hybrid - Battery: Yes, Exports to grid: Only grid-tied hybrids, Works in a power cut: Yes, from the battery, Who it suits: Homes with frequent or long outages
Off-grid (solar UPS or PCU) - Battery: Yes, Exports to grid: No, Works in a power cut: Yes, Who it suits: Sites with no grid, or backup first

Our comparison of on-grid, off-grid and hybrid systems covers the engineering. This page sticks to the inverter.

On-grid solar inverter price by kW

Selling prices on the two manufacturers' own online stores, viewed 4 October 2026, including GST, inverter only:

1 kW - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹11,550 (micro inverter), Luminous: Not listed
2 kW - UTL (single phase unless stated): Not listed, Luminous: ₹20,899 (NXI 120)
3 kW - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹18,730, Luminous: ₹24,499 (NXI 130)
4 kW - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹20,140, Luminous: Not listed
5 kW - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹33,430, Luminous: ₹36,599 (NXI 150)
6 kW - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹34,710, Luminous: Not listed
5 kW, three phase - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹55,260, Luminous: Not listed
10 kW, three phase - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹57,170, Luminous: ₹72,199 (NXI 310)
20 kW, three phase - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹82,560, Luminous: Not listed
100 to 125 kW, three phase - UTL (single phase unless stated): ₹3,51,660 (125 kW), Luminous: ₹3,45,000 (100 kW)

The MRP is fiction. Luminous lists its 10 kW NXI 310 at an MRP of ₹2,16,000 and sells it for ₹72,199. If a quote shows a big "discount" off MRP, compare only the final number.

Price does not scale neatly with size. On UTL's list, 4 kW costs barely more than 3 kW, and a three-phase 5 kW unit costs almost as much as a three-phase 10 kW one. Inverters are priced by model family and phase.

Per kilowatt, bigger is cheaper. A 3 kW unit works out to about ₹6,200 to ₹8,200 per kW, a 10 kW three-phase unit ₹5,700 to ₹7,200, and a 100 to 125 kW unit ₹2,800 to ₹3,500. For whole plants, see commercial solar cost per kW and the system prices for 3 kW, 5 kW and 10 kW.

Hybrid solar inverter price

"Hybrid" covers two different products in India. Grid-tied hybrids work like an on-grid inverter with a battery port: they export through a net meter and run your loads from the battery in a power cut. Hybrid PCUs charge a battery from solar and the grid and run the home from it, but do not export. Ask which one you are being quoted.

UTL Sigma Pro 3 kVA - Kind: Hybrid PCU, Battery: 48 V, Price incl. GST: ₹42,300
Luminous Solar Hybrid TX 3.75 kVA - Kind: Hybrid with export capability, Battery: 48 V, Price incl. GST: ₹49,299
UTL Sigma Pro 5 kVA - Kind: Hybrid PCU, Battery: 48 V, Price incl. GST: ₹62,670
Luminous Solar Hybrid TX 5 kVA - Kind: Hybrid with export capability, Battery: Not stated, Price incl. GST: ₹63,899
UTL HYB-5-GXLS2 (5 kVA) - Kind: Grid-tied hybrid, export control, Battery: Lithium or lead-acid, Price incl. GST: ₹91,760
UTL HYB-10-GXLT2 (10 kVA, three phase) - Kind: Grid-tied hybrid, Battery: Not stated, Price incl. GST: ₹1,98,590
Luminous Solar Hybrid TX Max 10 kVA - Kind: Hybrid, Battery: 120 V, Price incl. GST: ₹2,34,999

A 5 kW hybrid costs ₹62,670 to ₹91,760 before any battery, against about ₹33,000 to ₹37,000 for a 5 kW on-grid inverter. Prices also jump around: the same day, Luminous listed its 3 kVA TX at ₹73,800, above its 3.75 kVA model.

Tamil Nadu permits battery systems on grid-connected homes with conditions, set out in our TANGEDCO hybrid inverter rules guide. For battery costs, see solar battery price.

Off-grid solar inverter price

Luminous NXG series - Sizes: 500 VA to 2 kVA, Built-in charger: PWM (NXG 1450e checked), Price incl. GST: ₹5,599 to ₹12,899
UTL Heliac series - Sizes: 850 VA to 3,500 VA, 12 to 48 V, Built-in charger: PWM, Price incl. GST: ₹8,239 to ₹31,421
Luminous Solarverter PRO 3 kVA eco - Sizes: 3 kVA, 36 V, Built-in charger: MPPT, Price incl. GST: ₹31,599

The built-in charger matters more than the brand. A PWM charger holds the panels near battery voltage, so a modern 540 W panel, which works best near 42 V, loses most of its output on a 12 V PWM unit. Our MPPT vs PWM solar charge controller guide shows the arithmetic, and our off-grid solar in Chennai page covers full setups.

String inverters, micro inverters and optimisers

Almost every Indian rooftop uses a string inverter: panels wired in series into one box on the wall. It is the cheapest per kW and the easiest to service. A micro inverter converts power behind each panel or pair of panels, which helps on roofs with patchy shade, but costs more: UTL's 1 kW micro inverter is ₹11,550, against ₹18,730 for its 3 kW string inverter. Optimiser systems, SolarEdge being the best-known, put a DC optimiser on each panel with a central inverter; they are rare on Chennai homes.

For a clear terrace, a string inverter with two MPPT inputs usually does the job, since two inputs let panels facing different ways run at their own best voltage.

What to check before you buy

BIS registration, not ALMM

ALMM, the government's approved list, covers solar modules (List-I) and cells (List-II), with wafers due from 1 June 2028. There is no ALMM list for inverters. Instead, the 2017 compulsory registration order for solar PV goods bars the sale of inverters that fail IS 16221 (Part 2) for safety and IS 16169 for anti-islanding, the test that proves the inverter shuts off when the grid fails. Find the BIS registration number on the label and check it on BIS's online registration search.

PM Surya Ghar's made-in-India rule applies to panels, not the inverter. MNRE's model vendor agreement requires inverters to meet MNRE specifications, star labelling and quality control orders.

What Tamil Nadu asks for

TNPDCL publishes no approved list of inverter makes. The TANGEDCO guidelines under TNERC Order No. 8 of 2021 set conditions instead: a sine wave inverter that synchronises with the grid, automatic isolation when supply fails or voltage strays, harmonics within Central Electricity Authority norms, and breakers and isolators on both DC and AC sides. The application asks for the inverter's make, type and capacity, and whether it has automatic isolation. A BIS-registered grid-tie inverter from an established maker meets all of this; an unbranded one may lack the paperwork.

Read the datasheet, not the brochure

Polycab's datasheet for its 2 to 6 kW single-phase range shows what to look for:

European efficiency - What it means: Weighted real-world efficiency, fairer than the peak figure, Polycab 5 kW: 97.4% (peak 98.2%)
Number of MPPTs - What it means: Independent inputs for different roof faces, Polycab 5 kW: 2 (one up to 3.6 kW)
MPPT voltage range - What it means: String voltage it can track, Polycab 5 kW: 70 V to 540 V
Max PV configuration - What it means: Panel power accepted per kW of output, Polycab 5 kW: 150%
THDi and IP rating - What it means: Grid distortion and weather protection, Polycab 5 kW: Under 3%, IP65
Warranty - What it means: Manufacturer cover, Polycab 5 kW: 7 years

Do not over-weight efficiency. On a 3 kW system making about 4,800 units a year, the gap between 97% and 98% is about 48 units, a few hundred rupees.

Warranty you can claim

UTL gives 10 years on its on-grid range. Luminous gives 8 years plus 2 extended on its NXI on-grid range but 36 months on hybrid and off-grid models. Polycab's 2023 single-phase brochure says 7 years. Ask who services the inverter in your district, not just for how long; our solar panel warranty claim guide explains how claims work.

Solar inverter brands compared

Facts from each manufacturer's own pages and datasheets, not a ranking:

UTL - Who is behind it: Fujiyama Power Systems Ltd, Delhi and Greater Noida, Inverter range seen: On-grid 1 to 125 kW, grid-tied hybrid, hybrid PCU, Heliac off-grid, micro, Published warranty: 10 years on-grid; 5 years on the HYB-5 hybrid
Luminous - Who is behind it: Indian inverter and battery brand, Inverter range seen: On-grid 2 to 100 kW, Hybrid TX, NXG solar UPS, Published warranty: 8 + 2 years on-grid; 36 months hybrid and off-grid
Polycab - Who is behind it: Polycab India Ltd, Mumbai, Inverter range seen: On-grid single phase 2 to 6 kW, three phase 5 to 30 kW, Published warranty: 7 years (2023 brochure)
Sungrow - Who is behind it: Chinese maker with a Bengaluru inverter factory since 2018, expanded to 10 GW a year, Inverter range seen: Residential to utility scale, Published warranty: Check the Indian warranty card

You will also see Microtek, Eastman, Deye, Growatt, GoodWe, Havells, V-Guard, Waaree, Tata Power and others. Apply the same three checks to each: BIS registration, a proper datasheet, and a service centre near you. Our posts on UTL solar and Luminous solar go deeper on those two.

How to size the inverter to your panels

The AC rating is your plant capacity. TANGEDCO reckons capacity as AC output, so a 5 kW inverter is a 5 kW plant even with a little more panel behind it. Keep it within your sanctioned load.

Panels can be slightly larger than the inverter, within the datasheet's maximum PV configuration. Panels rarely reach full rating on a hot Chennai roof, so modest DC oversizing is normal.

Check the phase. Single-phase service in Tamil Nadu is limited to 4 kW connected load, so homes above that usually have three-phase supply already. Ask which inverter suits your connection.

The inverter reading can set your charges. Up to 10 kW, TNPDCL assesses generation at 21% CUF or the inverter's recorded energy, whichever is lower, so an accurate inverter display is part of your billing.

Our solar panel size calculator works out the panel side first.

GST and HSN code for solar inverters

Inverters fall under HSN 8504 40. Since 22 September 2025, solar inverters supplied as solar power devices carry 5% GST; the same heading attracts 18% for general-purpose converters. Our GST on solar power plant guide covers turnkey contracts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the price of a 3 kW solar inverter?

A 3 kW on-grid inverter costs ₹18,730 on UTL's store and ₹24,499 on Luminous's (October 2026, including GST). A 3 kVA hybrid costs about ₹42,300 to ₹73,800, before the battery.

How much does a 5 kW solar inverter cost in India?

A 5 kW single-phase on-grid inverter costs ₹33,430 (UTL) to ₹36,599 (Luminous). A 5 kVA hybrid costs ₹62,670 to ₹91,760, with grid-tied hybrids at the top.

What is the difference between an on-grid and a hybrid solar inverter?

An on-grid inverter has no battery and switches off in a power cut. A hybrid adds a battery so your loads keep running, but costs two to four times as much, and only grid-tied hybrids export to the grid.

Which solar inverter is best for home use?

For most Chennai homes on net metering, a BIS-registered on-grid string inverter with two MPPT inputs and a 10-year warranty. Choose the brand with service support in your district over the highest efficiency figure.

Is there an ALMM list for solar inverters?

No. ALMM covers modules and cells, with wafers to follow in 2028. Inverters must be BIS-registered under IS 16221 (Part 2) and IS 16169.

What is the GST rate and HSN code for a solar inverter?

HSN 8504 40, at 5% GST when supplied as a solar power device since 22 September 2025. General-purpose converters under the same heading attract 18%.

Can I use my normal home inverter with solar panels?

Not directly, because a normal inverter charges its battery only from the grid. You need a solar charge controller or retrofit unit added, or a solar inverter in its place.

How long does a solar inverter last?

Warranties run from 36 months on many hybrid and off-grid models to 10 years on UTL's and Luminous's on-grid ranges. Panels carry 25 to 30 year output warranties, so budget for inverter repair or replacement within the panels' life.

Where this fits

For complete system prices, see solar panel price in Chennai and is your solar quote too high. For system types, see on-grid solar in Chennai and hybrid solar in Chennai. For single panels, see solar panel price by watt, and for the cables, breakers and earthing around the inverter, rooftop solar components and wiring.

Blues Renewables installs rooftop solar across Tamil Nadu for homes from 3 kW, apartments, businesses and factories. We size the inverter to your sanctioned load and roof, use BIS-registered grid-tie inverters from established makers, declare the exact model on your TNPDCL application, and include two years of free maintenance, including checks on the inverter's readings and fault logs. If you have a quote and want to know whether its inverter is right, send it to us.

Call +91 98841 07170.

Sources

UTL (Fujiyama Power Systems Ltd), official online store, on-grid inverter category and product pages, viewed 4 October 2026: on-grid prices and MRPs from 1 kW to 125 kW, 10-year on-grid warranty, company name and offices
UTL, official store, hybrid PCU category pages and HYB-5-GXLS2 product page, viewed 4 October 2026: Sigma Pro and HYB prices, on-grid mode and export control, 5-year HYB warranty
UTL, official store, Heliac solar inverter page, viewed 4 October 2026: Heliac sizes, battery voltages, built-in PWM charger, prices
Luminous, official online store, solar inverter listing and NXI 120, 130, 150, 310 and 3100 product pages, viewed 4 October 2026: on-grid prices, MRPs, 8 + 2 year warranty
Luminous, official store, hybrid inverter listing and Hybrid TX 3 kVA and 3.75 kVA pages, viewed 4 October 2026: Hybrid TX and TX Max prices, 48 V battery, export capability, 36-month warranty
Luminous, official store, NXG 1450e and Solarverter PRO 3 kVA eco pages, viewed 4 October 2026: off-grid prices, PWM and MPPT charger types
Polycab India Ltd, Solar Grid Tie Inverters 2 kW to 6 kW brochure, 20 June 2023: efficiency, MPPT count and range, 150% PV configuration, THDi, IP65, 7-year warranty; pv magazine India, 28 February 2024: Polycab three-phase 5 to 30 kW range
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017, as summarised in BIS registration guidance: IS 16221 (Part 2):2015 and IS 16169:2014 for PV inverters
Mercom India and Saur Energy, 2025, MNRE's ALMM List-III for wafers from 1 June 2028; SolarQuarter, 24 August 2026, ALMM List-II revision: scope of ALMM
MNRE, PM Surya Ghar model vendor agreement: inverters to MNRE specifications, star labelling and quality control orders; domestic content rule on modules
TANGEDCO, Salient Features and Guidelines under TNERC Order No. 8 of 2021: sine wave and synchronisation, automatic isolation, CEA harmonics, AC output as plant capacity, 21% CUF or inverter reading up to 10 kW, application form fields
TNPDCL, Unified Solar Rooftop Portal FAQ, viewed 4 October 2026: no published inverter make list
pv magazine, 11 March 2022: Sungrow's Indian inverter factory, set up in 2018 and expanded to 10 GW
Government of India, Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate), 17 September 2025, effective 22 September 2025: 5% on solar power devices, 18% on heading 8504 otherwise