Techno-Economic Assessment of a 1 MW Rooftop Solar PV System under Net Metering Policy in Urban India

As urban energy consumption continues to rise, the role of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in enhancing energy sustainability has become increasingly significant. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of a 1 MW rooftop grid-connected solar PV system implemented in an urban environment in Central India. The focus is on system sizing, rooftop integration, and performance evaluation under India's prevailing net metering regulations. The study utilizes PVsyst and MATLAB Simulink to simulate energy production, assess system losses, and evaluate performance metrics such as Performance Ratio (PR) and capacity utilization. In parallel, a detailed financial model estimates the total investment, operational savings, and payback period over a 25-year lifecycle. Results indicate that a rooftop solar installation of this scale can generate over 1.6 million units annually, achieve a PR above 75%, and recover the initial investment in less than seven years. The system also contributes to significant carbon emission reductions and alleviates pressure on the urban power grid. This paper highlights the immense potential of rooftop solar projects in commercial and institutional sectors, where unused roof space can be transformed into a profitable energy asset with long-term environmental benefits.