Solar rooftop: Taking stock of a government scheme a year down the line

Until February 2025, a total of 26,755 domestic consumers in Tamil Nadu had installed solar rooftops availing the Prime Minister Surya Ghar subsidy scheme, launched during the same time last year.

Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) officials say more ground needs to be covered.

Prabhakaran Veeraarasu, environmental engineer and member Poovulagin Nanbargal, says solar rooftop is critical for energy transition and the state government should consider incentivising consumers and also encourage more R&D in battery storage. “While there is some awareness on solar rooftop, there are hurdles that prevent people from switching to solar energy,” says Prabhakaran. Currently, the Government is working on a tool that will simplify the process of installing a solar plant.

He says Tamil Nadu government plans to ensure 20,000 MW of solar power capacity and 10,000 MW of battery storage by 2030.

Many consumers and vendors The Hindu Downtown spoke to say wrinkles in the processes pertaining to submission of the application process and getting the reimbursement have been ironed out in the last one year.

Tangedco’s five zones have been initiating various activities to create awareness among people about solar energy.

In March 2025, the Chennai North Circle under Tangedco started a grievance meeting exclusively to address concerns of consumers and vendors regarding solar rooftop.

“After the regular grievance meeting that Tangedco organises, we have set aside time from 3 p.m. to meet domestic consumers and vendors,” says Jayachandran, superintendent engineer (north circle), adding that a separate WhatsApp group has also been formed with vendors.

Under the circle, the department has processed maximum applications from Perumbur area covering Agaram and Periyar Nagar.

Once an application is received in the portal, Tangedco has to submit a feasibility report where the capacity of the existing meter is also verified.

Besides all the documentation, a GPS-enabled photo of the consumer standing next to the solar panel, and an agreement with the vendor and the consumer are required to get the refund.

The scheme subsidises 60 per cent of the solar unit cost for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40 per cent of additional system costs between 2 kW and 3 kW capacity. At current benchmark prices, this means a ₹30,000 subsidy for a 1 kW system, ₹60,000 for a 2 kW system, and ₹78,000 for a 3 kW system or higher.

“On an average, the process takes less than two months and if you have an efficient vendor then the process become smoother,” says Jayachandran, adding that pamphlets are also distributed to explain to residents the difference in the power bill they can manage by switching to solar energy.