Editorial Guidelines & Data Methodology
DesiUtility publishes India's most precise electricity cost, AC efficiency, and solar ROI data. This page explains exactly where our numbers come from, how we verify them, and how often they are updated — so you can trust every figure on this site.
DesiUtility was founded to give Indian consumers accurate, independent electricity cost data at a time when most online calculators use outdated or approximate tariff figures. We believe you deserve the same quality of financial data for your electricity bill that NerdWallet or Wirecutter provides for personal finance or electronics. This page is our commitment to that standard.
Primary Data Sources
1State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) Tariff Orders
All residential electricity tariff slab rates published on DesiUtility are sourced directly from the annual tariff orders issued by each State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC). These are public documents filed on the respective SERC portals. For example, BESCOM (Karnataka) tariffs are extracted from KERC's official tariff order for FY 2025–26. We do not use aggregated third-party sources for tariff data — every slab is cross-verified against the original order PDF.
2Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Rating Database
AC star ratings, ISEER values, and energy consumption figures are sourced from the BEE India official star label database (beestarlabel.com). For buying guides and comparison pages, we cross-reference BEE filings with the manufacturer's official technical spec sheets. Our data analysts verify ISEER values for every model listed before publication. BEE updates its label database annually, and our team syncs our data with each BEE cycle — currently aligned to BEE 2026 norms effective April 2024.
3Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Reports
Statewide average electricity cost data, grid consumption statistics, and renewable energy penetration figures used in our solar and net metering calculators are sourced from CEA's Annual Report and Monthly Generation Reports, which are published by the Ministry of Power.
4MNRE / PM Surya Ghar Programme
Solar subsidy figures, net metering credits, and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana rates are sourced from official MNRE circulars and state DISCOM implementation guidelines. Our subsidy calculator reflects the current ₹30,000/kW (up to 2 kW) and ₹18,000/kW (2–3 kW) benchmarks from the MNRE scheme document.
Calculation Methodology
1Electricity Bill Calculations
Our bill calculators apply the exact progressive slab structure from each DISCOM's tariff order. For each unit range, we apply the applicable per-unit rate, add the fixed monthly charge (as specified in the tariff order), and apply 5% GST / electricity duty where applicable. We do not blend or average slabs. The calculator matches the method DISCOM customer portals use for domestic consumers.
2AC Annual Cost Calculations
Annual AC electricity cost = (Rated Power in kW ÷ ISEER) × Annual Running Hours × State Tariff Rate (₹/kWh). We use BEE-certified ISEER values, not manufacturer claims. State-wise electricity rates in our AC calculators use the mid-band residential slab (201–500 units) as the default, with users able to override based on their actual usage bracket.
3Solar ROI & Net Metering
Solar ROI calculations account for system cost (₹/Wp benchmark from MNRE), annual generation (based on state-level solar irradiance data from NISE/MNRE), net metering credits at the applicable import tariff, and PM Surya Ghar subsidies. We model a 25-year system life with 0.5% annual performance degradation, in line with industry standards.
Editorial Review Process
1Three-Layer Verification
Every data page on DesiUtility undergoes a three-stage review: (1) Primary research — an Energy Data Analyst extracts figures directly from source documents. (2) Technical verification — a second analyst cross-checks the extracted data against the official source. (3) Editorial review — a senior editor confirms accuracy, updates the review date stamp, and approves publication.
2Quarterly Review Cadence
All tariff pages and buying guides are on a mandatory quarterly review schedule. Pages are re-reviewed whenever SERC issues a new tariff order, BEE updates its star rating database, or a significant product change occurs in the market. The "Last reviewed by editorial team" date stamp on each page reflects the most recent verification date.
3Corrections Policy
If a user identifies a data error, they can report it via our Contact page. Reported corrections are reviewed within 48 hours. If a material error is confirmed, the page is corrected immediately and a correction notice is added. We take accuracy seriously — a wrong tariff slab could mislead thousands of consumers.
Editorial Independence & Affiliate Disclosure
1Data Independence
Tariff data, BEE ratings, and calculator outputs on DesiUtility are never influenced by commercial relationships. No brand or DISCOM has any editorial control over our data pages. Our tariff figures are taken from official government documents — not from brands.
2Affiliate Relationships
DesiUtility participates in the Amazon Associates programme. Some product links on buying guide pages generate a small commission at no extra cost to readers. This commission does not influence our rankings, recommendations, or data. Products are ranked by BEE ISEER rating, value, and verified user satisfaction — not by affiliate commission rate. Full disclosure is available on our Affiliate Disclaimer page.
3Advertising (Google AdSense)
Display advertising is served via Google AdSense. Advertising revenue does not influence editorial content, calculator outputs, or tariff data. Ad placements are reviewed to ensure they do not appear adjacent to calculator outputs in a way that could create confusion.
Regulatory Filings We Reference
KERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Karnataka / BESCOM
MERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Maharashtra / MSEDCL
DERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Delhi / BSES / TPDDL
TNERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Tamil Nadu / TANGEDCO
APERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Andhra Pradesh
TSERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Telangana / TSSPDCL
UPERC Tariff Order FY 2025–26
Uttar Pradesh / UPPCL
BEE Star Label Database 2026
All AC ratings / ISEER
