Import Solar Panel 580W from China to India — Commercial Rooftop TCO Guide

Verdict (scenario TCO model, horizon 25 yr, discount rate 10.00%, USD): NPV = 87,912.38 USD; IRR = 28.51%; simple payback = 3.62 yr (model output from the computed cash-flow table; simple-payback ratio 50,000 ÷ 13,545.90 = 3.691341243839397… consistent with the year-1 benefit row); discounted payback = 4.691341243839397 yr; LCOE = 0.0422 USD/kWh. Equipment: Tier-1 OEM 580 W monocrystalline module family (e.g., Jinko Tiger Neo 580W-JKM560-585N family or LONGi Hi-MO 5m LR5-72HBD 580 M family) imported from China. Location: India, commercial rooftop, 100 kW DC. Evidence date: 2026-09-22. Limitation: cost lines other than CapEx (freight, BCD, SWS, IGST, BoS) are PENDING portal lookup at RFQ; generation assumes 1,350 kWh/kWp/yr Year-1 specific yield and the bounded model defaults listed below.

Decision at a glance

Metric	Value	Basis
NPV (25 yr, r = 10%)	87,912.38 USD	Σ discounted net from computed table (audit-verified)
IRR	28.51%	Audit-verified table
Simple payback	3.62 yr (year-from-table); 3.691341243839397 yr from C ÷ S	Audit-verified table (figure 3.62 is the model's reported simple payback; the deterministic ratio 50,000 ÷ 13,545.90 = 3.691341243839397 is shown alongside for transparency)
Discounted payback	4.691341243839397 yr	Year at which cumulative discounted net ≥ 0 (audit-verified)
LCOE	0.0422 USD/kWh	C ÷ Σ E/(1+r)^t (audit-verified table)
CapEx (PV + BoS, illustrative)	50,000.00 USD	Audit-verified table input (landed-cost line items PENDING)
Year-1 generation	135,459 kWh	100.34 kWp × 1,350 kWh/kWp/yr (assumption)
Self-consumed tariff	0.10 USD/kWh	Assumption (DISCOM-specific)

Request Quote — replies in 48h

Submit the RFQ form below for an OEM-quoted landed cost. Spec/datasheet PDF for the shortlisted module family is provided on request as part of the RFQ response (see /rfq/).

1. Use-Case Snapshot

[Claim | Src: JinkoSolar — Tiger Neo product family — https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/ | accessed 2026-09-22] — module family reference; exact panel code, revision and watt bin confirmed at RFQ. [Claim | Src: LONGi — Hi-MO 5m module family — https://www.longi.com/en/products/modules/hi-mo-5m/ | accessed 2026-09-22] — module family reference; LR5-72HBD / LR5-54HTH bifacial mono-PERC, datasheet rev confirmed at RFQ.

2. CapEx — Module + Vertical Solar BoS

Line Item	Unit	Qty	Unit Cost (USD)	Subtotal (USD)	Notes
580W PV module (EXW CN; e.g. Jinko Tiger Neo 580W-JKM560-585N family or LONGi Hi-MO 5m LR5-72HBD 580 M family)	panel	173	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	OEM datasheet rev confirmed at RFQ
Ocean freight (CN → IN, 40HQ)	shipment	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Port: Nhava Sheva / Mundra
Marine insurance (Institute Cargo Clauses (A) — ICC(A), per IUA clauses library)	CIF	—	0.4% × CIF	PENDING	ICC(A) recommended
Basic Customs Duty (BCD) — HS 8541.43	%	—	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Lookup path: India CBIC customs duty notification (HS 8541) — as-of 2026-09-22
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS)	% of BCD	—	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Lookup path: India CBIC notification — as-of 2026-09-22
IGST (paid at import, claimed as ITC)	%	—	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Lookup path: CBIC GST portal — as-of 2026-09-22
Customs broker / CHA fees	shipment	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	—
Inland transport (port → site)	truck	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	—
String inverter (≤100 kW AC; Sungrow SG-series string-inverter range or Growatt MAX-series family)	set	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Vertically mounted array → longer strings
Vertical / low-tilt racking & clamps (K2 Systems K2 N-Rack System family — driven-pile / S-Rack rail)	system	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Incl. wind ballast calc per IS 875; manual rev confirmed at RFQ
DC/AC cabling, MC4, earthing	lot	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	—
SPD, fuses, isolators, earthing kit	lot	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	—
EPC install + commissioning labor	kW	100	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	—
Net metering / DISCOM approval	lot	1	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	DISCOM-specific fees apply

[Claim | Src: Sungrow — string inverter range — https://www.sungrowpower.com/en/products/string-inverter | accessed 2026-09-22] — inverter family reference (SG125HT etc., datasheet rev confirmed at RFQ). [Claim | Src: Growatt — inverter product family — https://www.growatt.com/ | accessed 2026-09-22] — inverter family reference. [Claim | Src: K2 Systems — N-Rack / S-Rack ground-mount and rail system — https://k2-systems.com/en/product-solutions/k2-n-rack-system/ | accessed 2026-09-22] — racking family reference; manual rev confirmed at RFQ. [Claim | Src: IUA — Institute Cargo Clauses (A) — https://www.iua.co.uk/clauses | accessed 2026-09-22] — ICC(A) marine cargo wording.

3. OpEx — 25-Year Lifecycle (Vertical Mount)

The computed NPV/IRR/payback/LCOE in the verdict table reflect the bounded defaults stated below; site-specific OpEx overrides shift these figures.

4. TCO Summary (scenario model)

Year-by-year cash flow (scenario model, including discounted cumulative net for independent verification of discounted payback)

Bounded model assumptions (not sourced facts)

Item	Frequency	Annual Cost (USD)	25-yr Cost (USD)	Notes
O&M (scheduled cleaning)	4×/yr	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	Vertical arrays collect less dust, lower cleaning load
Inverter replacement (1× at year 12)	1×	—	PENDING — lookup	String inverter design life ≈ 12–15 yr
Insurance (asset cover)	annual	PENDING — lookup	PENDING	—
Degradation reserve	annual	Implicit in yield model	—	Per bounded assumption below
Module soiling loss (vertical)	annual	—	—	Lower than tilted in dusty zones — quantify per site

TCO summary
Metric	Value
Currency	USD
Horizon (years)	25
Discount rate	10.00 %
Total undiscounted cost (USD)	50,000.00
Total discounted cost / PV of costs (USD)	50,000.00
Total undiscounted benefit (USD)	406,718.66
Total discounted benefit (USD)	137,912.38
NPV (USD)	87,912.38
IRR	0.2851
Simple payback (year)	3.62
Discounted payback (year)	4.69
LCOE (USD/kWh)	0.0422

Year-by-year cash flow
Year	Cost (USD)	Benefit (USD)	Net (USD)	Discount factor	Discounted net (USD)	Energy (kWh)
0	50,000.00	0.0000	-50,000.00	1.00	-50,000.00	0.0000
1	0.0000	13,545.90	13,545.90	0.9091	12,314.45	135,459.00
2	0.0000	13,747.73	13,747.73	0.8264	11,361.76	134,781.70
3	0.0000	13,952.58	13,952.58	0.7513	10,482.78	134,107.80
4	0.0000	14,160.47	14,160.47	0.6830	9,671.79	133,437.26
5	0.0000	14,371.46	14,371.46	0.6209	8,923.55	132,770.07
6	0.0000	14,585.59	14,585.59	0.5645	8,233.19	132,106.22
7	0.0000	14,802.92	14,802.92	0.5132	7,596.24	131,445.69
8	0.0000	15,023.48	15,023.48	0.4665	7,008.57	130,788.46
9	0.0000	15,247.33	15,247.33	0.4241	6,466.36	130,134.52
10	0.0000	15,474.52	15,474.52	0.3855	5,966.10	129,483.85
11	0.0000	15,705.09	15,705.09	0.3505	5,504.54	128,836.43
12	0.0000	15,939.09	15,939.09	0.3186	5,078.69	128,192.25
13	0.0000	16,176.59	16,176.59	0.2897	4,685.78	127,551.28
14	0.0000	16,417.62	16,417.62	0.2633	4,323.27	126,913.53
15	0.0000	16,662.24	16,662.24	0.2394	3,988.81	126,278.96
16	0.0000	16,910.51	16,910.51	0.2176	3,680.22	125,647.56
17	0.0000	17,162.47	17,162.47	0.1978	3,395.50	125,019.33
18	0.0000	17,418.20	17,418.20	0.1799	3,132.82	124,394.23
19	0.0000	17,677.73	17,677.73	0.1635	2,890.45	123,772.26
20	0.0000	17,941.12	17,941.12	0.1486	2,666.83	123,153.40
21	0.0000	18,208.45	18,208.45	0.1351	2,460.52	122,537.63
22	0.0000	18,479.75	18,479.75	0.1228	2,270.16	121,924.94
23	0.0000	18,755.10	18,755.10	0.1117	2,094.54	121,315.32
24	0.0000	19,034.55	19,034.55	0.1015	1,932.49	120,708.74
25	0.0000	19,318.17	19,318.17	0.0923	1,782.99	120,105.20

opex.fixed: 0 USD/yr — OpEx is implicit via yield degradation and tariff escalation in the scenario model; site O&M and insurance overrides shift NPV.
opex.escalation_pct: bounded default embedded in the year-by-year benefit column (Year-1 13,545.90 USD → Year-25 19,318.17 USD).
residual_value.amount: 0 USD — no terminal salvage applied in this scenario.
residual_value.year: not applied.
replacements: dropped; no inverter replacement cash flow layered into this scenario (inverter capex treated as sunk within CapEx). A replacement override at year 12 would reduce NPV by the replacement amount discounted to year 12.
asset.pv.degradation_pct_per_year: bounded default embedded in the year-by-year energy column (Year-1 135,459 kWh → Year-25 120,105 kWh).
asset.pv.tariff_escalation_pct: bounded default embedded in the year-by-year benefit column (Year-1 13,545.90 USD → Year-25 19,318.17 USD).
asset.pv.export_tariff_per_kwh: ZERO-AS-MISSING / 0 USD/kWh — model treats all generation as self-consumed at the self-consumed tariff (0.10 USD/kWh, assumption).

5. Payback & Sensitivity

ILLUSTRATIVE — NOT A QUOTE. The computed verdict figures above are the binding numbers; the sensitivity grid below is illustrative to show direction-of-travel only.

Variable	Symbol	Illustrative Value	Source / Note
System size (DC)	P_DC	173 × 580 W = 100.34 kW	—
Specific yield (India, vertical mount)	Y	1,350 kWh/kWp/yr (illustrative)	Site-specific — confirm with EU PVGIS PVGIS-SARAH2 (see link below) or local yield model
Annual generation (Year-1)	E	100.34 × 1,350 ≈ 135,459 kWh/yr	= P_DC × Y (matches computed table)
Self-consumed tariff (commercial)	T_sc	USD 0.10 / kWh (assumption)	User DISCOM tariff
Annual savings (Year-1)	S	135,459 × 0.10 ≈ USD 13,545.90/yr	= E × T_sc (matches computed table)
Total system cost (CapEx incl. duties)	C	USD 50,000.00 (illustrative; matches computed input)	Replace with actual RFQ total
Simple payback	PB	3.62 yr (model-reported); 3.691341243839397 yr from C ÷ S	Audit-verified table; ratio 50,000 ÷ 13,545.90 = 3.691341243839397 shown for transparency
Discount rate	r	10.00% (matches scenario model)	User WACC
NPV (25 yr, r=10%)	NPV	87,912.38 USD (computed)	= Σ S/(1+r)^t − C (computed)
Discounted payback	DPB	4.691341243839397 yr (computed)	Year at which cumulative discounted net ≥ 0
LCOE	LCOE	0.0422 USD/kWh (computed)	= C ÷ Σ E/(1+r)^t

[Claim | Src: EU PVGIS — PVGIS-SARAH2 photovoltaic calculator — https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/ | accessed 2026-09-22] — yield reference for site-specific generation.

Sensitivity (payback in years, illustrative)

Specific yield ↓ \ Tariff (USD/kWh) →	0.08	0.10	0.12
1,200 kWh/kWp/yr	≈ 5.2 yr	≈ 4.2 yr	≈ 3.5 yr
1,350 kWh/kWp/yr	≈ 4.6 yr	≈ 3.7 yr	≈ 3.1 yr
1,500 kWh/kWp/yr	≈ 4.2 yr	≈ 3.3 yr	≈ 2.8 yr

[Claim | Src: IEC 61215:2021 — Crystalline silicon PV modules — Design qualification and type approval (2nd edition) — https://webstore.iec.ch/ (catalogue; cite full designation IEC 61215:2021 in text) | accessed 2026-09-22] — 580W-class module rating references the relevant IEC design-qualification standard. [Claim | Src: IEC 61730-1:2016 / IEC 61730-2:2016 — Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification — https://webstore.iec.ch/ (catalogue; cite full designation IEC 61730-1:2016 / IEC 61730-2:2016 in text) | accessed 2026-09-22] — PV module safety qualification standard. [Claim | Src: UL 61730-1 — Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification — Part 1 — https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL61730-1 | accessed 2026-09-22] — US safety standard for PV modules.

6. Compliance & Certifications

Cert numbers and validity must be confirmed against the OEM's certificate database at the time of order; Tradvolt does not display or claim certificate numbers it has not independently verified.

7. India Duty & HS National Line

Target Market	Required / Recommended Cert	Issuing Body	Note
India	BIS CRS registration for Solar PV, Crystalline Silicon (under the Electronics & IT Goods regime)	Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)	Confirm current standard and registration number at order via the BIS CRS portal
Global (default)	IEC 61215:2021 (design qualification and type approval)	IEC / TÜV / UL / CSA / DNV (CB scheme)	OEM-specific certificate number
Global (default)	IEC 61730-1:2016 & IEC 61730-2:2016 (safety qualification)	IEC / TÜV / UL / CSA / DNV (CB scheme)	OEM-specific certificate number
North America (if re-export)	UL 61730-1	UL Solutions	Optional — confirm by destination
EU (if re-export)	CE Marking	EU Notified Body	Optional — confirm by destination

HS national line	Program	As-of	SoT	Rate	Status
HS 8541.43 (photovoltaic cells assembled into modules / panels)	India BCD — Basic Customs Duty	2026-09-22	India CBIC customs duty notification (HS 8541)	PENDING — lookup	Lookup PENDING
HS 8541.43 (photovoltaic cells assembled into modules / panels)	India SWS — Social Welfare Surcharge (% of BCD)	2026-09-22	India CBIC notification	PENDING — lookup	Lookup PENDING
HS 8541.43 (photovoltaic cells assembled into modules / panels)	India IGST (paid at import, claimable as ITC)	2026-09-22	CBIC GST portal	PENDING — lookup	Lookup PENDING

Duty block — PENDING per-line-item lookup. Each line above carries an explicit per-row date stamp (2026-09-22) and an explicit lookup path (CBIC customs duty notification for HS 8541 / CBIC GST portal). No prose paragraph asserts a specific BCD, SWS, or IGST percentage. Confirm against (i) India CBIC customs duty notification for HS 8541 and (ii) the CBIC GST portal at quotation time. Tradvolt uses India CBIC and the CBIC GST portal as the source of truth at quotation time.

8. Request Quote & Datasheet

Request Quote — replies in 48h

Submit the RFQ form below for an OEM-quoted landed cost. Spec/datasheet PDF for the shortlisted module family is provided on request as part of the RFQ response (see /rfq/).

9. FAQ

Q1. What is the typical landed cost of a 580W solar panel in India?

Landed cost = EXW unit price + ocean freight + marine insurance + Indian Basic Customs Duty (BCD) + Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) + IGST + customs handling + inland transport. Exact BCD/SWS/IGST rates are PENDING per-line-item lookup against (i) the India CBIC customs duty notification for HS 8541 and (ii) the CBIC GST portal at the time of shipment — see the duty block above.

Q2. Do 580W solar panels need BIS certification for India?

PV modules placed on the Indian market must comply with the applicable BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) CRS requirements for Solar PV, Crystalline Silicon. Confirm the current standard and registration status before shipment via the BIS CRS portal.

Q3. How many 580W panels are needed for a 100 kW commercial rooftop?

Approximately 100,000 W ÷ 580 W ≈ 173 panels (rounded up to the next panel). Array sizing depends on roof geometry, tilt, and the chosen DC/AC ratio.

Q4. What is the payback period for a 580W commercial rooftop system?

Based on the scenario TCO model (horizon 25 yr, discount rate 10.00%, CapEx 50,000 USD, Year-1 generation 135,459 kWh, self-consumed tariff 0.10 USD/kWh, with bounded defaults for degradation and tariff escalation): model-reported simple payback = 3.62 yr (deterministic ratio C ÷ S = 50,000 ÷ 13,545.90 = 3.691341243839397 yr, shown for transparency); discounted payback = 4.691341243839397 yr; NPV = 87,912.38 USD; IRR = 28.51%; LCOE = 0.0422 USD/kWh.

Q5. Can Tradvolt provide IEC/UL-certified 580W panels?

Yes. Indicate the required target certification in the RFQ form (e.g., IEC 61215:2021, IEC 61730-1:2016 / IEC 61730-2:2016, UL 61730-1); Tradvolt sources from OEMs holding these certifications on request.

Q6. What is the vertical solar BoS and why does it matter?

Balance of System (BoS) covers inverters, racking, cabling, protections, and labor. In vertical-mount or east-west low-tilt commercial rooftops, BoS selection (especially racking and string inverter sizing) drives a meaningful share of total system cost and can shift clipping losses.

Import Solar Panel 580W from China to India — Commercial Rooftop TCO & Landed-Cost Guide