Rooftop solar in Tamil Nadu gets a fresh boost

The Tamil Nadu government has introduced an additional incentive of ₹22,000 for domestic consumers to install solar rooftop systems, boosting the sun's potential in the state. Under the existing PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yogna scheme, a maximum subsidy of ₹78,000 is available for solar rooftop capacity exceeding 3kW, resulting in a total benefit of up to ₹1 lakh.

The government's scheme, recently announced during the Tamil Nadu Budget session, received positive feedback from renewable energy promoters, but some have suggested modifications to further encourage adoption.

P. Ashok Kumar, founder-president of Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA), has urged the State Government to prioritize energy storage devices, such as solar batteries and inverters, in the scheme. Instead of providing a direct monetary benefit of ₹22,000, Kumar suggests adding energy storage to the incentive and training people to use solar power continuously, even during peak hours.

This approach could reduce dependence on the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and lower the high cost of peak hour power.

Renewable energy alone is insufficient to meet growing energy needs, and the addition of energy storage devices would enhance grid stability and performance, allowing renewables to integrate more effectively into the electrical grid. By incentivizing consumers to use solar power during peak hours, the government could reduce TNEB's losses.

Jaideep Saraswat, Associate Director at Vasudha Foundation, a non-profit think tank advancing clean energy and climate solutions, emphasizes that a subsidy translates into real adoption only when consumer awareness, vendor capacity, and aligned stakeholder capacity are well-developed.

Other suggestions include expediting the approval process and establishing targets for banks and financial institutions to facilitate solar system loans for more households. Experience centers, where consumers can see solar solutions in action, have gained popularity, with retailers and manufacturers promoting their products through such centers.

Retailers like Darling Retail and Ratna Fan House have also expanded their services to include solar technology demos and installations, further boosting consumer confidence in solar energy.