Current Status of Rooftop Solar in Tamil Nadu
Rising Solar Potential in Tamil Nadu’s Rooftop Sector: Tamil Nadu, one of India’s leading states in renewable energy generation, continues to lag in residential rooftop solar installations. Despite strong industrial and wind power capacity, household adoption of rooftop solar systems remains comparatively low.
The rooftop solar penetration in Tamil Nadu stands at 1.55% of annual electricity demand, significantly lower than Kerala (8.07%) and Gujarat (6.43%). This gap highlights the untapped potential in Tamil Nadu’s urban and semi-urban households.
Static GK fact: Tamil Nadu is India’s second-largest producer of renewable energy, contributing over 15% of the nation’s total renewable power.
Installed Capacity and State Comparisons
The installed rooftop solar capacity in Tamil Nadu is 1.13 GW, compared to 1.44 GW in Kerala and a remarkable 5.84 GW in Gujarat. This shows that even smaller states like Kerala are achieving higher rooftop adoption through targeted awareness and simplified implementation models.
Experts suggest that streamlined approval processes, better financial incentives, and state-level monitoring could help Tamil Nadu accelerate its progress.
Static GK Tip: One gigawatt (GW) equals 1,000 megawatts (MW), enough to power roughly 7.5 lakh Indian homes.
Government Schemes Supporting Rooftop Solar
To promote household solar energy, national initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM-C) offer up to 60% subsidy along with concessional loans. These schemes are designed to make solar energy affordable for both households and farmers.
Tamil Nadu residents can benefit from these schemes by installing rooftop panels that reduce dependency on grid power and lower electricity bills over time.
Static GK fact: The PM Surya Ghar scheme was launched in 2024 with the goal of achieving 10 million rooftop solar connections across India.
Energy Output and Benefits
For every 1 kW rooftop solar system, households can generate around 5 units of electricity per day, amounting to nearly 150 units per month. Over a year, this can translate into significant savings and contribute to sustainable energy generation.
Besides cost benefits, rooftop solar reduces the carbon footprint and supports India’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Static GK Tip: One unit of solar electricity saves approximately 0.8 kg of CO₂ emissions, helping mitigate climate change.
The Way Forward for Tamil Nadu
To enhance rooftop solar adoption, Tamil Nadu must focus on awareness campaigns, simplified subsidy applications, and collaboration with local distribution companies (DISCOMs). Encouraging apartment complexes, rural households, and small businesses to adopt solar can boost capacity and energy independence.
With proper execution, Tamil Nadu can become a model state in decentralized solar generation, following the success of Gujarat and Kerala.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Rising Solar Potential in Tamil Nadu’s Rooftop Sector:
| Topic | Detail |
| Rooftop solar penetration in Tamil Nadu | 1.55% of annual electricity demand |
| Tamil Nadu rooftop solar capacity | 1.13 GW |
| Kerala rooftop solar capacity | 1.44 GW |
| Gujarat rooftop solar capacity | 5.84 GW |
| Subsidy offered under PM Surya Ghar and KUSUM-C | Up to 60% |
| Power generated by 1 kW rooftop solar | 5 units per day |
| Annual generation from 1 kW system | Around 1,800 units |
| CO₂ emission reduction per solar unit | 0.8 kg |
| National rooftop solar target | 10 million households by 2026 |
| India’s 2030 renewable energy goal | 500 GW total capacity |
