How to get a rooftop solar power connection for your Chennai home

Subsidies offered by the central government and state to encourage renewable energy has reduced the cost of going solar. But what does it take for the ordinary citizen in Chennai to get a rooftop solar installation?

“I have been urging everyone to switch to solar for the last decade. It is the best decision I have made. If people just understood how simple it is, they would be willing to try it. It has to do more with the mindset” says Chennai citizen D Suresh, who has been bestowed the moniker Solar Suresh for his efforts to take solar energy to the general public in the city and the state.

A study by Greenpeace India and GERMI titled Rooftop Revolution: Unleashing Chennai’s Solar Potential estimates that Chennai has an untapped rooftop solar power generation potential of 1.38 GW, with the largest segment being residential rooftops that constitute 46% of the potential at 586 MW.

The push towards renewable energy has seen central and state subsidies for those who opt for solar power, with capital incentives and credits as part of their electricity bill payments. The effort on the part of the government has so far focused on getting households to set up grid-connected solar rooftop plants that are linked to the existing system.

How does a solar rooftop system work?

A grid-connected solar rooftop system set-up along with a bi-directional meter can be used to monitor the energy generated and consumed by solar-powered households. If surplus power is generated, the energy is fed into the grid and the household receives an annual credit in the electricity bill based on net meter readings.

The grid-connected system eliminates the use of batteries, thereby bringing down capital cost and space required for setting up a solar power plant. 

So, if you want to join in too, and not only do your bit for renewable energy, but also bring about some savings in your energy bill, here are some more basics that you might want to know.

Cost and savings implications

Under the Chief Minister’s Domestic Rooftop Solar Incentive Scheme, individual houses or flats with grid-connected rooftop solar panel installation in Chennai are eligible for a maximum subsidy of Rs 20,000 for a 1 KWp (kilowattpeak) plant to be used solely for residential purposes. This is in addition to the 30% central subsidy offered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on the benchmark cost or project cost, whichever is less.

For residential flats, a capacity of 5 kW, 10 kW and multiples thereof can be applied for common usage as group application.

The average cost of a 1KWp plant is close to Rs 70,000, with subsidies bringing down the cost to close to Rs. 45,000.

A 1KWp plant produces 4-5 units of electricity per day. Households can decide on the capacity of the plant required to power their needs based on their existing consumption. The feed-in credit on the consumer’s electricity bill from excess power generation can be availed for a year, as per the rates fixed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).

Prerequisites of installation

  • A 1kw panel requires a rooftop space of 12 sq.m or 100 sq. feet for installation.
  • An existing TANGEDCO service connection under the LA-A1 (domestic use) tariff

Applications are available online and at the office of the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA).

The last date for applications is June 30. A list of empanelled vendors is also available on the website.

Benefits of going solar

  • A substantial reduction in electricity bills over a period of time
  • It is a renewable source of energy that can be harnessed on a daily basis
  • Protection against tariff increase as the life of a solar panel is 25 years
  • Savings made on solar is tax-free
  • It is an environment-friendly alternative to conventional electricity, reducing the reliance on coal and fossil fuels
  • Encourages self-sufficiency and reduces wastage as excess power is transferred to the grid

Comments:

  1. Sanjeev says:

    It will take 10 years to break even. Sad. A good initiative but 10 years is too long esp when a society is involved and one has to convince all residents this return on investment is too long and pro argument is falling flat. Help! Govt should invest thru out the city like roads and bridges.

  2. Manav says:

    Initial cost of Rs. 45000 is too high. Make it free, and charge rent per month like EMIs. Innovative policies are required to push penetration.

  3. Pradip Kumar Ray says:

    Very good idea specially for low income group people which is on the higher side of our country. So, it should be considered through out the country to make it most popular and charge rent per month as EMIs.

  4. V.Ramakrishna says:

    This should be made compulsory in all govt office and public utilities. Awareness will increase and cost also will come down.

  5. Jit says:

    How to install it in kokata

  6. Srija Muraleedharan says:

    Interested to install it in my residence. Pl let know details

    • Sivakumar says:

      Contact me… 9500157314

    • Arun says:

      For gensets no one talks about the ROI and ready to pollute the immediate user environment and recurring cost involved to generate and maintenance where as solar energy usage is giving the future generation a clean life you just can’t compensate or compare with ROI

    • D Suresh says:

      Sir, may i have your mail id / mobile no. Your perception is incorrect. I am known as solar suresh. 93812 05869.sureshd157@gmail.com

    • D Suresh says:

      I am solar suresh – popularly known like this. Pl see you tube solar suresh. It is not at all costly.pl call 93812 05869. Or give your no.best wishes

    • D Suresh says:

      I am solar suresh – popularly known like this. Pl see you tube solar suresh. It is not at all costly.pl call 93812 05869. Or give your no.best wishes very easy. Google and get vendor’s details

    • D Suresh says:

      Where are you based. Call me 93812 05869.

  7. Sivakumar says:

    It’s a great idea to save our future generations…if you guys are interested to install rooftop solar let me know.. my contact no 9500157314

  8. RN MOORTHY says:

    The only problem is if there is no grid power the solar power also goes down. how to overcome this. I know it is for safety reasons. but like Gen set there should be a way to change over to solar power during day time if the grid power is down. For example if grid is down for a day or more like varada and heavy rains and there is sunlight in day still we cannot utilize the same. Any solution for this

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