Solar Loan Interest Rates in India: Bank-Wise Comparison 2026

The Short Answer

Solar loan interest rates in India range from 7.00% to 10.50% depending on the bank and your credit profile. SBI offers the lowest rate at 7.00–7.75% through its Surya Shakti scheme. Public sector banks generally offer 0.5–1.5% lower rates than private banks. Your actual rate depends on your CIBIL score, loan amount, and relationship with the bank.

Bank-Wise Solar Loan Interest Rates

Current solar loan rates from major Indian banks (as of 2026):

BankSchemeRate (p.a.)Max TenureProcessing FeeType
SBISurya Shakti7.00–7.75%10 years0.50%Public
Canara BankSolar Loan7.25–8.25%7 years0.50%Public
Bank of BarodaBaroda Solar7.50–8.50%7 years0.50%Public
PNBPNB Solar7.50–8.75%7 years1.00%Public
Union BankUnion Solar7.75–8.50%7 years0.50%Public
Indian BankIB Solar7.50–8.50%7 years0.50%Public
HDFC BankSolar Rooftop8.50–9.50%7 years1.00%Private
ICICI BankSolar Loan9.00–10.00%5 years1.00%Private
Axis BankGreen Loan9.00–10.50%5 years1.00%Private
Kotak MahindraSolar Finance9.50–10.50%5 years1.00%Private

Rates are indicative and may vary based on your profile, loan amount, and market conditions.

How Your Interest Rate Is Determined

Banks consider these factors when setting your solar loan interest rate:

  1. CIBIL score — The biggest factor. Score above 750 gets the best rate. Below 700 adds 0.5–1.5% to the base rate.
  2. Loan amount — Larger loans (₹5 lakh+) may get preferential rates due to economies of processing.
  3. Existing relationship — Salary account holders and long-term customers get 0.25–0.50% concession.
  4. Employment type — Salaried borrowers get slightly better rates than self-employed.
  5. Loan tenure — Some banks offer lower rates for shorter tenures.

→ Check your eligibility for solar loans

Why Solar Loan Rates Are Lower Than Personal Loans

Solar loans enjoy preferential rates (7–10%) compared to personal loans (10–18%) for three reasons:

  • Priority sector classification — RBI mandates banks allocate a percentage of lending to priority sectors, including renewable energy. This incentivises banks to offer competitive solar loan rates.
  • Tangible asset — The solar system is bolted to your roof and generates measurable savings, providing implicit collateral even though no formal collateral is required.
  • Government backing — PM Surya Ghar and MNRE actively promote solar adoption, giving banks confidence in the sector.

Always opt for a dedicated solar loan product rather than a personal loan or credit card EMI for your installation.

Fixed vs Floating Rate: Which to Choose?

Most solar loans are offered at floating rates linked to the bank's MCLR or repo rate. A few banks offer fixed-rate options.

FeatureFixed RateFloating Rate
Rate changesStays constantChanges with repo rate
Typical rate0.25–0.50% higherBase rate
PredictabilityFixed EMI alwaysEMI may change
Best whenRates expected to riseRates expected to fall

For solar loans with 5–7 year tenures, the rate difference between fixed and floating is marginal (₹2,000–₹5,000 over the tenure). Choose floating if you expect RBI to cut rates; choose fixed for predictable budgeting.

How to Get the Best Interest Rate

Follow these strategies to secure the lowest rate:

  • Apply with a CIBIL score above 750 — Check your score before applying. If below 700, spend 3–6 months improving it before applying.
  • Apply at your salary bank — Existing relationship can save 0.25–0.50% on the rate.
  • Compare at least 3 banks — Even a 1% rate difference saves ₹5,000–₹12,000 on a ₹1.5 lakh loan over 5 years.
  • Negotiate — Banks have discretion on pricing. If you have a competing offer at a lower rate, show it to your preferred bank.
  • Check for seasonal offers — Banks frequently offer reduced processing fees and rate concessions during festivals and government campaigns.
  • Ask about state subsidies on interest — Some states offer 2–3% interest subvention on solar loans through their renewable energy agencies.

Total Interest Cost by Tenure

Here is how much interest you pay on a ₹1,12,000 solar loan at different rates and tenures:

Rate3-Year Total Interest5-Year Total Interest7-Year Total Interest
7.00%₹11,760₹19,880₹28,280
8.00%₹13,440₹22,880₹32,760
9.00%₹15,120₹25,880₹37,240
10.00%₹16,800₹28,880₹42,000

The difference between 7% and 10% over 5 years is ₹9,000 — meaningful but not a deal-breaker. Do not delay your solar installation waiting for a slightly better rate. The electricity savings you miss while waiting likely exceed the interest difference.

Get the Best Rate with Your Solar Quote

Solar Vipani's verified installers partner with multiple banks and NBFCs. When you get quotes through us, financing options with competitive rates are included.

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Common questions

What is the lowest interest rate for solar loan in India?
SBI offers the lowest solar loan interest rate at 7.00–7.75% through its Surya Shakti scheme. Canara Bank is next at 7.25–8.25%. Both are public sector banks offering priority sector lending rates. Your actual rate depends on your CIBIL score, with 750+ scores getting the best rates.
Is solar loan interest rate fixed or floating?
Most bank solar loans are floating rate, linked to MCLR or the repo rate. Some banks offer fixed-rate options at a 0.25–0.50% premium. For a typical 5-year solar loan, the practical difference between fixed and floating is small (₹2,000–₹5,000). Choose floating if you expect rates to fall.
Do private banks offer solar loans?
Yes. HDFC, ICICI, Axis, and Kotak all offer solar loan products. However, their rates (8.5–10.5%) are typically 1–2% higher than public sector banks like SBI (7%) and Canara Bank (7.25%). Private banks may offer faster processing to compensate.
How much interest will I pay on a 3kW solar loan?
On a ₹1,12,000 loan (3kW after subsidy), total interest ranges from ₹11,760 (7% for 3 years) to ₹42,000 (10% for 7 years). A typical 5-year SBI loan at 7% costs about ₹19,880 in interest. This is easily recovered through the additional electricity savings during the loan period.
Can I get a solar loan at 0% interest?
Banks do not offer 0% interest solar loans. However, many solar installers offer 0% EMI plans for 12–24 months where the installer absorbs the interest cost. For genuine 0% financing, ask your installer about their EMI plans rather than approaching a bank.