Solar Calculator Ladakh 2026

Rooftop Solar in Ladakh

Power in the Union Territory of Ladakh is managed by the Ladakh Power Development Department (PDD), which serves both Leh and Kargil districts. The PDD administers grid-connected net metering where the grid reaches, while many remote, high-altitude hamlets still depend on off-grid or hybrid systems backed by batteries and diesel.

Exceptional irradiance, harsh climate

Ladakh has some of India's highest solar irradiance, with clear high-altitude skies delivering roughly 5.0-5.5 peak sun-hours per kW on good days. Cold air actually raises panel efficiency, since photovoltaic modules produce slightly more at low temperatures. The trade-offs are real, though: heavy winter snow can bury arrays for weeks, fine high-altitude dust cuts output between cleanings, and sub-zero nights stress batteries and inverters. For these reasons we model a conservative, cold-derated figure of about 5.3 units per kW per day rather than the seasonal peak.

Tariffs and metering

Domestic tariffs are low, starting near Rs 2.20 for the first 200 units and rising through roughly Rs 3.80 and Rs 4.20 slabs, with steep charges only at very high usage. Grid supply in parts of Ladakh can be intermittent in winter, which strengthens the case for storage. Surplus generation is fed back to the PDD grid under net metering; confirm the current settlement terms with your local PDD office.

Subsidy and how PM Surya Ghar applies

PM Surya Ghar provides Rs 33,000 per kW up to 2 kW plus Rs 19,800 for the third kW, capped at Rs 85,800 for 3 kW and above, disbursed by direct benefit transfer after commissioning, with a roughly 7 percent collateral-free loan. Ladakh is a special-category UT and has publicised additional UT-level assistance for rooftop systems; because these figures move, verify both the central subsidy and any state top-up on pmsuryaghar.gov.in before committing. As a special-category UT under MNRE's PM Surya Ghar guidelines, Ladakh gets the higher central rate: ₹33,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹19,800 for the third kW, so ₹85,800 for 3 kW and above (the general rate elsewhere is ₹85,800).

Worked example

A 3 kW system at about 5.3 units per kW per day yields roughly 16 units a day, near 480 units a month in summer, though winter output falls sharply with shorter days and snow cover. Households needing reliable winter power often add storage; size it with our battery bank calculator and compare stand-alone designs on the off-grid calculator.

• National solar calculator for a baseline estimate
• Tilt angle calculator for a steep snow-shedding winter angle

Treat all tariff and subsidy numbers as indicative; Ladakh's rooftop policy is still evolving.

Solar calculators for nearby states & UTs

Compare subsidy, tariff and net-metering figures with the neighbouring states, or see all 36 in the India states directory and the national India solar calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Cold air improves panel efficiency, so clear winter days can be productive. The real challenges are snow burying arrays, high-altitude dust between cleanings, and freezing nights that stress batteries.

As a special-category UT, Ladakh has publicised additional rooftop assistance, but amounts change. Verify the current central subsidy and any state top-up on pmsuryaghar.gov.in; our calculator keeps the top-up at zero to stay conservative.

Where the PDD grid does not reach, an off-grid or hybrid system with battery storage is usually the practical choice. Use the off-grid and battery calculators to size panels and storage for winter demand.

Roughly 16 units per day at about 5.3 units per kW per day, or near 480 units a month. Output drops noticeably in winter due to short days and snow, so plan for seasonal variation.