Free Tool

Rooftop Solar Area Checker

Draw your rooftop on Google Maps to measure available area, instantly estimate maximum installable solar capacity, and see projected annual generation.

A 1 kW solar system needs about 50–65 sq ft of shadow-free roof — draw your roof below to see your exact capacity.

Updated August 2026 Reviewed by the SolarOps360 Engineering Team

Rooftop Solar Area & Capacity Checker

Measure your roof on satellite map or calculate required area for your desired system size.

1 Find your rooftop | 2 Click 4 corners on satellite map to outline
Zone 1: 0 corners

Loading Satellite Map View…

Ensure your Google Maps API key is configured at the top of the file.

Example: an 800 sq. ft. south-facing rooftop can fit an estimated 8.6 kW system (16 panels), generating ~12,900 units/year and saving ₹96,750/year. Draw your roof or enter your own area above.

Showing an example — draw your roof or enter your own area above.

800 sq.ft
Usable Rooftop Area
74 sq.m (70% usable)
8.6 kW
Solar System Capacity
~16 Panels (545W Mono PERC)
12,900 kWh
Annual Generation
~35.3 units/day
₹96,750/yr
Annual Electricity Savings
10.6 Tonnes/yr
Engineering Standard: Sizing assumes high-efficiency 545W Mono PERC panels requiring ~60–65 sq. ft. per kW (including tilt structure row spacing and maintenance pathways).
How It Works

How This Calculator Works

  1. 1

    Search your address

    Type your property address in the search box. The map will zoom to your location using Google Maps satellite view.

  2. 2

    Draw your rooftop

    Click the polygon drawing tool and click along the edges of your usable rooftop area to mark the shadow-free installation zone.

  3. 3

    View area and capacity

    The tool instantly calculates the marked area in sqft and sqm, the maximum installable solar capacity in kW, and estimated annual generation in kWh.

  4. 4

    Or enter area manually

    No Maps access? Use the manual input to enter your rooftop area in sqft directly and get the same capacity estimate.

  5. 5

    Book a site assessment

    Click "Get a Free Site Assessment" to have a SolarOps360 partner engineer visit your site, verify measurements, and give you a detailed feasibility report.

Feasibility Standards

Rooftop Sizing & Structural Guidelines

Standard Sizing Ratio

For every 1 kW of solar capacity, you need approximately 60 to 65 sq. ft. of shadow-free rooftop area.

Roof Load Capacity

Standard solar arrays weigh approximately 15–20 kg/sq.m., which is well within standard RCC rooftop load design parameters.

Row Spacing & Maintenance

Always maintain a 2 to 3 ft. pathway between panel rows for regular cleaning and maintenance access.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rooftop area is needed for a 1 kW solar system?
A 1 kW solar system using 545W panels requires 2 panels. Each panel is approximately 2.2m × 1.1m (24 sqft), and with mounting clearance and row spacing, you need approximately 50–65 sqft (5–6 sqm) per kW of installed capacity.
How do I calculate how much solar I can fit on my rooftop?
To calculate rooftop solar capacity: (1) Measure the available shadow-free rooftop area in sqft; (2) Divide by 65 sqft/kW (conservative estimate including spacing); (3) The result is the maximum installable capacity in kW. For example, 650 sqft of usable rooftop area can accommodate a 10 kW solar system.
What percentage of rooftop area is usable for solar installation?
Typically, 60–70% of total rooftop area is usable for solar installation. The rest is taken up by staircases, water tanks, parapet walls, HVAC equipment, shadow-prone zones, and service walkways. Our Rooftop Area Checker lets you draw only the usable area, giving a more accurate estimate.
Does rooftop orientation affect solar system capacity?
Yes. South-facing rooftops in India receive maximum solar irradiance and produce the most energy. East or west-facing installations generate approximately 15–20% less than south-facing. North-facing installations are generally not recommended. Our tool accounts for orientation in the capacity estimate.
What is the minimum rooftop area needed for solar panels in India?
The minimum practical rooftop area for a residential solar installation in India is approximately 100–130 sqft (for a 2 kW system using 2 panels × 545W). Below this, the economics rarely make sense. Most grid-connected residential systems start at 2–3 kW.

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