Installation of residential rooftop solar energy systems yet to pick up in Tamil Nadu

Installation of solar rooftop systems in residential buildings remain low in Tamil Nadu compared to the neighbouring State of Kerala mainly because of the lack of awareness and the need for more attractive subsidy schemes, according to stakeholders in the solar energy sector.

According to a study called “Advancing Distributed, Equitable Solar Energy in Tamil Nadu” by Auroville Consulting released last month, the penetration (rooftop solar % to annual demand) is 8.07% in Kerala and 6.43% in Gujarat as against 1.55% in Tamil Nadu. The total installed rooftop solar in Tamil Nadu is 1.13 GW, 1.44 GW in Kerala and 5.84 GW in Gujarat.

A.D. Thirumoorthy, member of the State-level Renewable Energy Committee, told The Hindu that though the general awareness on residential solar rooftops is better than earlier years, it is still less in the State. For those who consume 200 units or lesser power, the solar rooftop is not viable. The State utility should push the PM Surya Ghar Scheme so that more residents install it, he said.

Indian Solar Association president C. Narasimhan said the take off is slow in Tamil Nadu because “the State government is not interested or involved. The focus is more on free power. The Tamil Nadu government should take steps to improve awareness among the public. For maximum three kilowatts (kW) of installed rooftop solar energy capacity in the country, the subsidy given under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme is ₹78,000. A consumer should spend only ₹1.2 lakh and bank loans are available easily as it comes under priority scheme,” he said.

N. Pradeep, secretary of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, said the subsidy available under the scheme should be increased. The maximum installation eligible for subsidy under the scheme should be increased to 10 kW and the subsidy should be higher.

For one kW of rooftop solar system, the energy generated can be five units a day. So the average generation for a month is 150 units. That will not give much relief to a consumer compared with the investment that will be made, he said.

Karthic, co-founder of HelioGrid, a startup incubated at Forge in Coimbatore, said the captive cost can reduce for a consumer if the efficiency of the solar energy systems improve. HelioGrid is working on rooftop solar systems that give 22.5 % higher energy with 7% higher installation cost. This is attractive to consumers and the company is seeing more installations in the last four months.

The study said that national schemes such as PM Surya Ghar and KUSUM-C (IPS) offer up to 60% subsidies and concessional loans for households and farmers. By focusing on low-income groups and small landholders, the State can use these schemes not only to accelerate clean energy adoption but also to reduce subsidy burdens, stimulate local employment, and contribute to decarbonisation goals.

The State’s policy should be for clear, stable solar metering and grid regulations, efficient, user-friendly application processes, widespread consumer awareness campaigns, and consistent and adequate fiscal incentives.