Popular Questions
Find clear answers regarding PM Surya Ghar government subsidies, system pricing, roof requirements, and TANGEDCO net metering benefits across Tamil Nadu.
Under the central PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, residential homeowners in Tamil Nadu can receive:
1 kW system: ₹30,000 subsidy
2 kW system: ₹60,000 subsidy
3 kW & above: Maximum capped subsidy of ₹78,000
The subsidy amount is deposited directly into your bank account after system commissioning and TANGEDCO inspection.
A standard high-efficiency 3 kW residential rooftop solar system costs approximately ₹2,000,000 to ₹2,40,000 before subsidy. After applying the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar subsidy, your net payable cost drops to roughly ₹1,22,000 to ₹1,60,000.
Net metering is a bi-directional grid system approved by TANGEDCO. Excess solar electricity produced during the day is sent back to the grid. TANGEDCO credits these exported units against the power you consume at night, drastically lowering or eliminating your bi-monthly electricity bill.
As a general rule, you need approximately 80 to 100 sq. ft. of shadow-free rooftop space per kilowatt (kW):
1 kW: ~100 sq. ft.
3 kW: ~250 – 300 sq. ft.
5 kW: ~450 – 500 sq. ft.
Your system size depends on your bi-monthly TANGEDCO bill:
100 – 300 units/month: 1 kW – 2 kW system
300 – 600 units/month: 3 kW system
600+ units/month (with ACs/EV charging): 5 kW or higher system
Due to high solar radiation in Tamil Nadu and high TANGEDCO tariff slabs for 300+ unit consumption, the typical payback period is 3.5 to 5 years. After this period, the electricity generated for the remaining 20+ years is practically free!
Yes! Solar panels produce energy from sunlight, not direct heat. On cloudy or rainy days in regions like Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, and Madurai, solar panels still generate about 20% to 50% of their normal daily output using ambient light.
Yes. A grid-connected solar power system supplies electricity directly to your home’s main switchboard. Heavy appliances like ACs, water pumps, refrigerators, and washing machines run seamlessly on solar power during the day.
Yes. Through Nationalized Banks (SBI, Canara Bank, Union Bank) under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, residential clients can secure low-interest collateral-free solar loans covering up to 90% of the project cost.
The complete process—from site inspection, TANGEDCO feasibility approval, component mounting, net-meter testing, to final subsidy credit—takes roughly 30 to 45 working days.
General Questions
Everything you need to know about component warranties, maintenance, billing setup, and custom solar power design for homes and businesses.
To apply for net metering and the central subsidy, you need:
Latest TANGEDCO Electricity Bill (showing 9-digit consumer number)
Aadhaar Card (linked with mobile number)
Property Ownership Proof (Patta / Sale Deed / Tax Receipt)
Bank Passbook / Cancelled Cheque (for direct subsidy deposit)
On-Grid System: Connected to TANGEDCO grid with net metering; lowest cost and qualifies for government subsidy.
Off-Grid System: Uses battery backup for power cuts; no net metering required.
Hybrid System: Combines both net-metering grid connection and battery storage for uninterrupted power during outages.
Solar panels have no moving parts and require minimal maintenance. Washing the solar panels with clean water once every 15 to 20 days to remove dust accumulation keeps power generation operating at peak efficiency.
Solar Panels: 25 to 30 years performance warranty (guaranteeing 80%+ generation output at year 25).
Grid Inverters: 5 to 10 years standard manufacturer warranty (extendable up to 20 years).
No. Government subsidies under PM Surya Ghar are reserved exclusively for LT domestic residential connections. However, commercial and industrial businesses can claim 40% Accelerated Depreciation (AD) tax benefits and significantly lower operational electricity overheads.
On-Grid solar systems automatically shut down during grid failure for safety reasons (known as Anti-Islanding Protection) so line technicians can safely repair local power lines. If you require power during load shedding, a Hybrid Solar System with battery backup is recommended.
In Tamil Nadu, excess exported units are accumulated in your bi-monthly bill cycle. At the end of the annual settlement period, TANGEDCO compensates for unused credits based on prevailing solar tariff rates set by TNERC.
Yes. Tier-1 solar panels are engineered with toughened, anti-reflective tempered glass and heavy-duty aluminum frames designed to withstand high ambient temperatures, heavy monsoon rains, and wind speeds up to 150 km/h.
Yes. You can expand your rooftop capacity later, provided you have sufficient additional shadow-free roof space and obtain secondary approval from TANGEDCO for sanction load upgrading.
Installing through an MNRE and TEDA empanelled solar installer is mandatory to qualify for central government subsidies, official net-meter testing approvals from TANGEDCO, and standard tier-1 component warranties.