Households in Tamil Nadu may soon get extra help to install rooftop solar systems. The state government has approved a subsidy of up to ₹22,000 for domestic consumers. This amount will be added to the subsidy offered by the Union government under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
For a household that installs a 3kW rooftop solar system, the combined subsidy can reach ₹1 lakh. The plan aims to reduce power use from the grid and help families lower their monthly electricity bills.
How much subsidy can households get?
The amount depends on the size of the rooftop solar system. The current support plan is set out below:
| Solar system size | Union subsidy | Tamil Nadu subsidy | Total subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1kW | ₹30,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹35,000 |
| 2kW | ₹60,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹70,000 |
| 3kW | ₹78,000 | ₹22,000 | Up to ₹1 lakh |
The Union government subsidy is already available through the PM Surya Ghar programme. Tamil Nadu’s additional support will raise the total assistance for eligible homes.
Who will provide the state subsidy?
The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited, or TNGECL, proposed the state scheme. The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, known as TEDA, will manage the subsidy process for applicants.
According to an energy department official, TEDA will collect applicant details from the central government portal. After the rooftop solar system is installed and the service is completed, the state subsidy will go straight to the applicant’s bank account.
This means households should not need to submit a separate application for the Tamil Nadu subsidy. They will still need to follow the process on the central portal for the rooftop solar installation.
When will the scheme start?
The state government has approved a budget of ₹50 crore for the programme. It plans to cover 1 lakh domestic consumers by March 2027. This timeline matches the current end date of the Union government’s PM Surya Ghar scheme.
The exact start date, approved vendors, and other service details may be shared by the authorities as the scheme rolls out. Households should check official updates before paying an installer or sharing bank details.
What does this mean for electricity bills?
Rooftop solar allows a home to generate part of its own electricity. This can reduce the amount of power bought from the grid. Over time, lower grid use may help bring down monthly bills.
The savings will depend on several factors. These include the size of the solar system, the home’s power use, sunlight at the site, the quality of the installation, and the applicable electricity rules. A larger system is not always the right choice for every house. Families should match the system size with their normal power needs.
It is also important to check the roof before installation. The roof should have enough open space and receive good sunlight. Shade from trees, nearby buildings, or water tanks can affect generation. A proper site check can prevent costly surprises later. Solar panels cannot perform well in a roof’s permanent shadow, no matter how politely we ask them.
What should consumers do now?
- Check the PM Surya Ghar portal for the official application process.
- Use an approved or authorised solar installer listed through the official system.
- Confirm the system size and the total cost before signing an agreement.
- Ask for a clear break-up of the Union subsidy, state subsidy, and household contribution.
- Keep bank account details and installation records ready for the subsidy payment.
- Do not pay extra fees to anyone claiming they can speed up the subsidy.
The state’s plan has been welcomed by solar industry representatives. L R Venkatesh of the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association said the central subsidy process has become more streamlined, with many consumers receiving the amount within a week. He said a similar process for the state payment could encourage more households to install rooftop solar.
For now, the key figures are clear: ₹5,000 for a 1kW system, ₹10,000 for a 2kW system, and up to ₹22,000 for a 3kW system from Tamil Nadu. TEDA is expected to transfer the state amount to the applicant’s bank account after the installation service is completed.
