March 7, 2026e-Paper
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March 7, 2026e-Paper
Published – March 07, 2026 08:15 pm IST
A rooftop solar panel at an apartment complex. | Photo Credit: K BHAGYA PRAKASH
On February 23, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X praised India’s rooftop solar adoption that has powered 30 lakh households since the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was launched two years ago. A remarkable milestone in India’s clean energy transition. The question closer home would be: two years on, where does Tamil Nadu stand?
According to data shared by Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited, 55,328 households have installed rooftop photovoltaic solar power systems in Tamil Nadu until February 28, 2026.
Tamil Nadu is in the 11 position, with states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh ahead of it. For ranking, an official say, one should refer the number of installation on the PM Surya Ghar portal, which is total number of individual installation plus the number of installations done by flats (RWA).
In Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore leads among the districts for completing the maximum number of installations, followed by Chennai.
Those working in the industry say the State’s journey has been slow but steady, and a lot more ground needs to be covered. This includes enlisting more qualified vendors, increasing awareness among consumers, setting measurable, time-bound targets and guiding prosumers (those who produce and consume) who face challenges after installing rooftop solar (RTS) systems.
“Both the central government and state governments have jurisdiction over electricity. Initially, there were bottlenecks in synchronising details of electricity department with the PM Surya Ghar portal, which were ironed out,” says L.R. Venkatesh, secretary, Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA).
In the first year, many new consumers complained of delayed payment and long processing time which has drastically reduced in the last one year. Short supply of domestic panels also derailed the installation process.
Currently, a total of 1,376 registered vendors are enlisted on the PM Surya Ghar portal from Tamil Nadu.
“From less than 200 vendors, we now have more than 1,000,” says Venkatesh, who is managing director Vesat Renewables.
The implementing agencies have started to take vendors to task. “Very often we see inspections happening randomly, which is good to establish quality in the system. Vendors are being asked to follow all procedures or they can be blacklisted. We are conducting training programmes for listed vendors so that they can upskill themselves with the latest in the renewable energy sector,” says Venkatesh.
Implementing agencies
Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited along with Rural Electrification Corporation has been working with vendors to iron out wrinkles in the system.
A senior official says two initiatives that has taken solar rooftop to this stage is the monthly meetings they host among vendors to clarify nagging doubts. The Corporation has also set aside targets, district-wise, with the section officer being held responsible for ensuring a minimum stipulated number of installations for the area. Based on the criterion of meeting targets (which vary from district to district), Chengalpattu was declared as the top-performing district.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to install 30GW of rooftop solar capacity by 2027 and a lot more needs to be done.
A report brought out by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) in April 2025 on ‘How are Indian States Enabling Rooftop Solar Adoption?’ suggests setting clear, time-bound targets to establish the state’s vision for rooftop solar, mandate solarisation of government buildings, standardise the installation process, create the right economic incentives for consumers, and create a rooftop solar data registry.
What they say
‘We have asked vendors in Chennai to focus on gated communities’
A lot more needs to be done to increase awareness among consumers. In Chennai, there are many apartment complexes and gated communities, so we have asked our members to focus on resident welfare associations as some are of the impression that the PM Surya Ghar scheme is not applicable to them. Power consumption in the common areas at gated communities is huge and by installing solar photovoltaic systems in the common areas, the benefit is extended to every resident. The space is uniformly distributed among residents and there will be reduction in the maintenance bill.
L. Venkatesh, secretary, Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association
‘Solar panels at electronic stores!’
Last year, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) conducted at least 50 meetings, both for gated communities and other stakeholders. This year, we are working towards covering more ground. For example, we want to bring banks, TNGECL, solar developers and RWAs on one platform that will promote adoption of rooftop solar systems. We are also working on skilling and upskilling programmes in solar energy adoption for those in the allied skill pool such as electricians and architects, and also exploring how rooftop solar panels can find space on the shelves of electronic stores by working with electrical and electronics retailers.
K. Vishnu Mohan Rao, Programme Lead, CAG
‘Create awareness about maintenance of panels’
As a prosumer for more than two years now, one lesson learnt is not to ignore the need to maintain solar panels. The quality and quantity of energy produced can decrease significantly if not maintained. I had not discussed maintenance with my vendor when I invested in a solar rooftop system and neither was I aware that AMC contract is available. The vendor too did not guide me. Now, twice a year I reach out to other technicians/service providers to get this work.
Logendrakumar M.K., president, Chettinad Enclave Village Owners Association, Pallikaranai
Published – March 07, 2026 08:15 pm IST
renewable energy / Chennai Downtown / environmental cleanup
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