Question 1

How much can I earn from a 1 acre solar plant in India?

Accepted Answer

With a CUF of around 19% and a tariff of ₹3.5 per unit, a 1 MW plant on 1 acre can generate roughly 1.5 million kWh/year. That works out to around ₹52–53 lakh in annual revenue before costs.

Question 2

What is CUF and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

CUF (Capacity Utilization Factor) measures how much energy a plant actually generates versus running at full capacity all year. For solar PV in India, CUF usually falls between 16–22%. Higher CUF = more kWh = more revenue.

Question 3

How much does a 1 MW solar plant generate per year?

Accepted Answer

A 1 MW plant in India typically generates 1.5–1.7 million kWh per year, depending on sunlight, panel quality and downtime. Our default setting is deliberately conservative.

Question 4

Are these numbers India only?

Accepted Answer

The defaults are tuned for India, but you can use the calculator anywhere by adjusting CUF, MW per acre and tariff according to your local conditions.

Question 5

Does this include project costs and maintenance?

Accepted Answer

No. This is a gross income estimate. Net profit will depend on capex, O&M, financing structure and taxes.