5MW Solar Power Plant Cost in India (2026)

Total project cost, land requirement, generation, payback, and financing options for a 5MW ground-mounted or rooftop commercial/industrial solar plant in India.

Total Project Cost
₹17.50-20.00 Cr
₹35-40/watt, EPC turnkey
Land Required
20-25 acres
Fixed-tilt ground-mount
Annual Generation
73.9-90.3 lakh
Units (kWh) / year, CUF 17-19%
Payback Period
4-6 years
With 40% accelerated depreciation

💡 Want exact numbers for your load, roof/land, and financing structure? Use our free Big Project Solar Calculator for a detailed EPC cost, IRR, NPV, and payback report for 100kW-10MW plants.

5MW Solar Plant — Cost Breakdown

EPC (turnkey) cost for a 5MW plant is typically split across these major components. Actual proportions vary by module technology, mounting type (fixed-tilt vs tracker), and site civil work.

ComponentApprox. Share of Cost
Solar Modules (Panels)~50%
Inverters (String/Central)~10-12%
Mounting Structure, Cabling & BOS~15-18%
Civil Work, Evacuation & Transformer~8-10%
Design, Approvals & Soft Costs~5-7%

Figures are approximate industry ranges for a 5MW ground-mounted commercial/industrial plant in India, 2026. GST on solar modules is 12%; get an itemised quote from your EPC contractor for exact figures.

Financing a 5MW Solar Plant — CAPEX, OPEX (PPA) & Open Access

A 5MW plant is typically financed one of three ways:

Open access and wheeling/banking charges vary significantly by state — check your state electricity regulatory commission (SERC) policy or use our Big Project Solar Calculator to model CAPEX vs Loan vs PPA cash flows for your own numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions — 5MW Solar Power Plant

How much does a 5MW solar power plant cost in India in 2026?
A 5MW ground-mounted solar power plant costs approximately ₹17.50-20.00 crore in India in 2026 (roughly ₹35-40 per watt), depending on module technology, mounting structure, site condition, and EPC contractor. This works out to about ₹3.50-4.00 crore per MW. There is no PM Surya Ghar subsidy at this scale — that scheme applies only to small residential rooftop systems.
How much land is required for a 5MW solar plant?
A 5MW ground-mounted solar plant typically needs 20-25 acres of flat, unshaded land, based on the standard estimate of 4-5 acres per MW for fixed-tilt ground-mount systems in India. High-density mounting with modern 600W+ modules can reduce this somewhat, while tracker-based systems need more.
How much electricity does a 5MW solar plant generate per year?
A 5MW solar plant generates approximately 73.9-90.3 lakh units (kWh) per year in India, assuming a capacity utilisation factor (CUF) of 17-19% depending on location and solar irradiance. This is roughly 6.2-7.5 lakh units per month on average.
What is the payback period for a 5MW solar plant?
A 5MW commercial or industrial solar plant typically pays back its investment in 4-6 years, factoring in 40% accelerated depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act and savings on grid electricity or open access charges. PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) financing needs zero upfront capital but has a longer effective payback for the developer instead of the consumer.
Should I use CAPEX, OPEX (PPA), or Open Access for a 5MW plant?
CAPEX (own investment or bank loan) gives you full ownership and the highest long-term savings plus depreciation benefits, but needs upfront capital. OPEX/PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) needs no upfront investment — a developer builds and owns the plant on your premises or via open access, and you pay a fixed, lower per-unit rate than grid tariff. Open Access lets large consumers (typically above 1MW connected load in most states) buy solar power from an offsite plant through the state grid, paying wheeling and banking charges that vary by state. Use our Big Project Solar Calculator to compare all three financing structures for your exact load.
How many solar panels are needed for a 5MW plant?
A 5MW plant needs approximately 9,259 solar panels if using 540W modules (fewer with higher-wattage 600W+ modules, more with older 400W modules). Utility and commercial-scale plants typically use high-wattage bifacial or TOPCon modules to reduce land area and balance-of-system cost per watt.

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