The first choice after deciding on solar is the system type. It decides what happens when the power goes, how much you pay, and whether you get the subsidy. Here is the plain comparison, with figures as of November 2026.
What is the difference between on-grid, hybrid and off-grid solar?
On-grid solar works with the grid and net meter but has no battery. Hybrid solar works with the grid and also charges a battery for backup. Off-grid solar has no grid connection and relies on batteries alone.
| On-grid | Hybrid | Off-grid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connected to grid | Yes | Yes | No |
| Net metering | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery | No | Yes | Yes, larger |
| Power during a cut | No (switches off) | Yes, for chosen loads | Yes, until batteries run low |
| PM Surya Ghar subsidy | Yes | On the solar part, if grid-connected and net metered | No |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Higher (battery and hybrid inverter) | Highest for the same backup |
| Payback | Fastest, typically 3 to 4 years with subsidy | Longer | Longest |
| Best for | Most homes, societies, businesses | Homes where cuts are frequent or long | Sites with no reliable connection |
In short: on-grid is a money decision, hybrid is a money decision plus a comfort decision, and off-grid is for places the grid does not reach well. A farmhouse tubewell or a remote site office may suit off-grid. A kothi in Vasant Kunj, a builder floor in Sector 46 Gurugram or a villa in Greater Noida West almost never does, because the grid and net meter give you a free, unlimited store for daytime surplus that no battery can match on price.
What happens to on-grid solar in a power cut?
It switches off. Every grid-connected inverter has anti-islanding protection: when it senses the grid is down, it stops exporting within moments. That protects linemen working on what they believe is a dead line.
So on a bright afternoon during a cut, an on-grid system makes nothing for you. Once supply returns, it reconnects on its own. This surprises some families, but it is a safety requirement for every grid-connected inverter, not a fault. If your home already has a regular inverter and battery, it keeps doing its job during cuts exactly as before.
How does a hybrid system keep the lights on?
A hybrid inverter can disconnect your home from the grid during a cut and run chosen circuits from the battery and the panels together. When the grid is back, it reconnects, charges the battery and exports any surplus through the net meter.
Usually we wire a backup circuit for lights, fans, Wi-Fi, the fridge and perhaps one room's AC, rather than the whole house. The battery size decides how long that backup lasts, and the panels can top it up during a daytime cut. Like Aruna bringing Surya's chariot up at dawn, the panels refill the battery every morning.
Which battery should I choose?
For most new hybrid systems, lithium iron phosphate (LFP). It lasts more charge cycles, needs no topping up and fits in a smaller space. Tubular lead-acid costs less upfront and is what most NCR home inverters already use.
| Lithium (LFP) | Tubular lead-acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Life in daily cycling | Longer | Shorter |
| Maintenance | None routine | Distilled water top-ups |
| Space and ventilation | Compact, sealed | Bulkier, needs ventilation |
| Suits | Daily use, frequent cuts | Occasional backup, tight budget |
Heat matters in NCR. Keep any battery indoors, away from direct sun and the summer heat of a terrace, in a dry, ventilated spot such as under the stairs or a utility room.
Is battery backup worth it in Delhi NCR?
It depends on your area. Power cuts in much of Delhi are less frequent than in parts of outer NCR, but supply varies colony to colony, and some sectors and newer extensions see more cuts than others. If your cuts are short and rare, on-grid plus your existing inverter is the better value. If cuts are long, frequent, or fall when you work from home, hybrid earns its place.
- On-grid suits you if cuts are rare, you already have a home inverter, and you want the fastest payback.
- Hybrid suits you if cuts are frequent or long in your sector, you run a home office or medical equipment, or your old inverter battery is due for replacement anyway.
- Ask about hybrid-ready if you are unsure: an inverter that can take a battery later keeps the option open.
Tell us how often the power goes in your area during the survey. Your neighbours' experience counts for more than any city average.
Which system types get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
The subsidy is for grid-connected rooftop solar. On-grid systems qualify, and a hybrid system that is grid-connected and net metered can be designed to qualify on its solar capacity. Off-grid systems do not get it.
The subsidy is ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third, capped at ₹78,000. It covers the solar side; the battery is your own cost. Panels must be DCR (India-made cells and modules), with ALMM List-II cells for net-metered projects commissioned on or after 1 June 2026. We confirm hybrid eligibility with your DISCOM before you commit. Full detail in our subsidy guide.
How do the costs compare?
On-grid costs least: roughly ₹55,000 to ₹75,000 per kW before subsidy in NCR in 2026, so about ₹2.2 to 2.4 lakh for 3 kW. Hybrid adds a hybrid inverter, which costs more than a plain on-grid one, and the battery, which is usually the largest addition. Off-grid needs the biggest battery bank for the same comfort and gets no subsidy.
Because the battery is not subsidised and does not lower your bill much on its own, hybrid pays back more slowly than on-grid's typical 3 to 4 years. Think of the battery as the price of backup, and the panels as the investment. Our price guide has the on-grid figures by state, and we quote hybrid options side by side at survey.
Does a hybrid system save more on the bill?
Not much. The bill saving comes from the panels, and the same panels save the same units whether or not a battery is attached. With net metering, the grid already works as a free store for your daytime surplus, so a battery adds backup, not savings.
In fact a battery loses a little energy every time it charges and discharges, so a hybrid system can send slightly fewer units to the grid than an on-grid one of the same size. That is a fair price for keeping the lights and Wi-Fi on during a long cut, but it is why we never sell a battery as a way to cut the bill.
Which loads should go on backup?
Keep the backup circuit to what you truly need during a cut: lights, fans, the fridge, Wi-Fi and the router, a work laptop, perhaps a water pump on a timer. Each extra load needs more battery for the same hours. One bedroom AC on backup is possible with a larger battery, but whole-house AC backup is rarely worth the cost in NCR. We list your must-run loads at survey and size the battery to match.
Can I start on-grid and add a battery later?
Yes. You can either choose a hybrid-ready inverter now, or later add a battery with its own charger alongside your on-grid system. The first is neater; the second works with any on-grid system.
On-grid, hybrid or on-grid plus your current inverter: the right answer depends on your area and your routine. Book a free roof survey and we will check your roof, your load and how often your supply drops, then quote the options side by side. Local detail is on our pages for Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Chandigarh.