How Much Roof Space Do You Need for a Solar System?

If you're thinking of installing solar panels on your rooftop, one of the first questions that comes to mind is:

“Do I have enough space on my roof?”

The good news is that you probably do—especially if you're in Delhi or Uttar Pradesh, where rooftops are often spacious. In this blog, we’ll explain how much area is required per kilowatt (kW) of solar, what factors affect it, and how to estimate your own rooftop potential.

Quick Answer: How Much Space Per kW?

On average, you need:

• 80–100 square feet of shadow-free rooftop area to install 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar panels.

So:

• 1 kW = 80–100 sq. ft.
• 3 kW = 240–300 sq. ft.
• 5 kW = 400–500 sq. ft.
• 10 kW = 800–1,000 sq. ft.

This is for a standard rooftop solar system using monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels (which are most common in India).

How to Estimate Your Own Roof Space Needs

1. Check Your Monthly Electricity Bill
   • If you use around 300 units/month, you may need a 2.5–3 kW system.
   • For 500–600 units/month, a 5 kW system is more suitable.
2. Multiply by Roof Area Per kW
   • Example: For 3 kW → 3 × 100 = 300 sq. ft.
3. Factor in Space Wastage
   • Not all of your roof is usable due to:
     • Water tanks, AC units
     • Shade from nearby buildings or trees
     • Orientation and layout
   • It’s safe to assume about 75% of roof area is usable.

Rooftop Area vs. Type of Mounting

Mounting Type	Area Needed per kW	Notes
Flat RCC Roof	90–100 sq. ft.	Most common in Delhi/UP apartments/homes
Metal Sheet Roof	70–90 sq. ft.	Used in factories and commercial sites
Tilted South Roof	80–90 sq. ft.	Naturally optimised

What If My Roof Is Small?

No worries! Here are some options:

• Use high-efficiency panels (e.g., mono PERC or bifacial)
• Install a smaller system that still reduces your bill
• Try elevated structure to use space underneath
• Combine with battery backup for better usage

Example from Delhi/UP

• In a typical Delhi NCR apartment building:
• A common rooftop of ~2,000 sq. ft. can support a 15–20 kW system
• That’s enough to power common lights, lifts, water pumps, or even be shared among flats (via group net metering)
• In Uttar Pradesh cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra, where standalone homes often have flat terraces, 5–10 kW systems are very feasible.

Pro Tip: Don’t Guess — Get a Free Site Survey

Even a rough estimate is good, but an actual rooftop assessment by professionals is the best way to:

• Calculate available space
• Assess shadow impact
• Plan layout and orientation
• Maximize output with minimal space

We offer free site visits across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, and other parts of UP.

Final Takeaway: You don’t need acres of land for solar—just a well-lit terrace can do the job. In most urban or semi-urban settings, even 300–500 sq. ft. can be enough for a powerful solar setup.

Curious if your rooftop qualifies? Reach out to us for a no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you calculate how much power your roof can generate—and how much you can save!