Battery brand
Exide Solar Batteries: Range, Price & Warranty 2026
Pros
- One of India's oldest and most recognised battery brands, with a very wide dealer and service network across cities and small towns.
- Broad choice: budget-friendly solar tubular (lead-acid) plus newer lithium (LFP) options for different budgets and lifespans.
- Easy to source and get serviced almost anywhere in India — a real advantage for off-grid and backup users who keep a battery for years.
- Tubular range keeps upfront cost low for simple backup needs; lithium offers long life with near-zero maintenance.
Cons
- –Lead-acid tubular batteries need periodic distilled-water top-up and ventilation, and last fewer years than lithium.
- –Battery prices and exact warranty terms vary a lot by model, capacity, dealer and city, so you must verify current figures yourself.
- –A battery is an added cost that most PM Surya Ghar on-grid rooftop homes do not actually need.
- –Lithium options cost more upfront, so payback depends on how much backup you really use.
Exide is one of India’s oldest and best-known battery names, and for home solar it gives you two clear routes: affordable solar tubular (lead-acid) batteries for basic backup, and newer lithium (LFP) options for longer life and almost no maintenance. It is a dependable, easy-to-service brand for off-grid, hybrid and backup homes. But before you buy, know this: most subsidised on-grid rooftop homes under PM Surya Ghar do not need a battery at all.
Quick answer: is Exide a good solar battery choice?
For the right home, yes. Exide has a long track record in Indian batteries and a service network that reaches big cities and small towns alike — which matters a lot when a battery needs a check-up years later. The brand suits people who genuinely need stored power: off-grid houses, hybrid systems, or homes with frequent power cuts. If your goal is only to cut your electricity bill on a grid-tied rooftop system, a battery is usually an extra cost you can skip.
Brand overview: who is Exide?
Exide Industries is one of the most established battery manufacturers in India, long trusted for automotive and inverter (UPS) batteries in homes across the country. Over the years it has extended into the solar and lithium space, so the same brand you may already know from your inverter battery now offers solar-specific tubular units and lithium options. For many homeowners, that familiarity — plus an easy-to-find dealer nearby — is a real comfort. You are rarely far from a service point.
Being a large, established Indian company, Exide is a low-risk brand from a “will they still be around in ten years” point of view. That said, brand trust is not a substitute for checking the exact model, capacity and warranty that fits your setup.
Exide solar battery range
Exide’s solar line-up broadly splits into two families.
Solar tubular (lead-acid)
These are the traditional, budget-friendly choice. Solar tubular batteries come in a range of capacities, measured in Ah (ampere-hours), so you can size them to a small backup need or a larger off-grid load. They cost less upfront, but they are lead-acid: they need occasional distilled-water top-up, good ventilation, and they last fewer years than lithium.
Lithium (LFP)
Exide has moved into lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are becoming the modern default for solar storage. Lithium units cost more upfront but offer longer life, more usable capacity, faster charging and near-zero maintenance — no water top-up, no gassing. For a household that leans on backup daily, the longer lifespan can offset the higher sticker price.
Tubular vs lithium at a glance
| Feature | Solar tubular (lead-acid) | Lithium (LFP) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Lifespan | Shorter | Longer |
| Maintenance | Water top-up, ventilation needed | Near zero |
| Weight & size | Heavier, bulkier | Lighter, compact |
| Best for | Budget backup, occasional use | Daily backup, long-term value |
Exact specs and model names change over time — confirm current options with an Exide dealer before buying.
Indicative pricing (2026 — verify current)
Battery prices move with capacity (Ah), model, city and dealer, so treat every figure as indicative 2026 — verify current. As a rough guide, common solar tubular units sell in the lower-to-mid tens of thousands of rupees per battery, while lithium (LFP) home units cost noticeably more for the same usable storage. Do not rely on a single number — get written quotes and compare.
For context on the whole system, a residential rooftop solar setup in India typically costs about ₹55,000–₹75,000 per kW before subsidy (indicative 2026 — varies by brand, panel type, DCR status and city). A battery, where you actually need one, is an add-on to that, not part of the subsidised package. The quickest way to see real numbers for your home is to get 3 free quotes from vetted installers and run your figures through our savings calculator.
Warranty and after-sales service
Solar batteries usually carry a warranty that mixes a free-replacement period with a longer pro-rata period, and lithium options generally carry longer cover than tubular. Exact months vary by model, so always read the warranty card and get the terms in writing before you pay.
Where Exide genuinely stands out is service reach. A wide, long-established dealer and service network across Indian towns and cities means help is usually close by — an underrated advantage for something that sits in your home for years. Ask your dealer where the nearest service point is and what the response time is before you commit.
Do you actually need a battery?
This is the honest bit. Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the subsidy (up to ₹78,000, capped at 3 kW) applies to on-grid residential rooftop systems. On-grid means you use net metering — your extra daytime power goes to the grid and you draw it back at night, so the grid effectively acts as your “battery.” Net metering is deemed feasible up to 10 kW for homes. Most subsidised rooftop homes therefore do not need a physical battery.
You mainly want a battery if you are off-grid, running a hybrid system, or you face frequent, long power cuts and want backup during outages. In those cases, an Exide tubular or lithium battery makes sense — as a separate, self-funded purchase.
Who Exide solar batteries suit
- Off-grid and hybrid homes that must store their own power.
- Areas with frequent outages where reliable backup matters more than lowest cost.
- Buyers who value service reach and a familiar, established Indian brand.
- Budget backup users lean to tubular; long-life, low-maintenance users lean to lithium.
If you are on a normal grid connection and only want to lower your bill, focus your budget on a good on-grid system and net metering first. Compare 3 free quotes and check your payback in the savings calculator before adding storage — for a subsidised rooftop, payback is typically about 3–4 years even without a battery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Exide battery for my rooftop solar?
Usually no. On-grid systems under PM Surya Ghar use net metering, so most subsidised homes do not need a battery. You mainly need one for off-grid, hybrid or backup during power cuts.
Which is better — Exide solar tubular or lithium?
Tubular (lead-acid) is cheaper upfront but needs maintenance and lasts fewer years. Lithium (LFP) costs more but lasts longer and is near maintenance-free. Choose based on budget and how much backup you use.
How much does an Exide solar battery cost in 2026?
It varies widely by capacity (Ah), model and city. Treat any figure as indicative 2026 — verify current with a local Exide dealer and compare a few written quotes before buying.
What warranty do Exide solar batteries carry?
Typically a mix of a free-replacement period and a longer pro-rata period, with lithium usually longer than tubular. Always confirm the exact months and terms on the warranty card, in writing, before you pay.
Does the PM Surya Ghar subsidy cover batteries?
No. The central subsidy (up to ₹78,000, capped at 3 kW) applies to residential on-grid rooftop solar, not batteries. A battery is a separate, self-funded add-on.
Can I use an Exide solar battery with any inverter?
Match the battery type and voltage to your solar inverter or charge controller. A lead-acid setup differs from a lithium one, so check compatibility with your installer before buying.
- Exide Industries — official product information (exideindustries.com)
- MNRE / PM Surya Ghar National Portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in)
- Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 — net metering deemed feasible up to 10 kW for homes