Tangedco flooded with rooftop solar applications

Chennai: Union govt’s recently launched rooftop solar campaign seems to have given a much-needed fillip to the state’s green energy push, with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) flooded with applications roughly 35,300 received since Feb.

As per Tangedco data, there are only about 17,500 domestic rooftop solar connections in TN, of which 6,500 are in Chennai. A Tangedco official said 46 rooftop connections with a capacity of 202 kW have been connected to the grid.

While the scheme is a rebranding of the existing one with the same subsidy, waiver of feasibility study for rooftop connections upto 3 kW and extra interest Tangedco has shown in increasing connections have brought in more consumers, say experts.

Union govt has set a target of 1 crore rooftop solar connections this year, while Tangedco wants to achieve 10 lakh connections this year.

P Ashok Kumar, president of Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA), said Tangedco still needs to update software for automatic approval for applications for loads upto 3kW. “Currently, an assistant engineer has to manually clear applications which is unnecessary if we strictly go by the GO in this regard. Also, Tangedco should speed up feasibility study for applications with above 3kW. In some places, it still takes a month to get the feasibility report done. If it is addressed, more connections can be effected in less time,” he said.

Many consumers have misunderstood the scheme and are not aware of the initial investment they should make, he added. “Union new and renewable energy ministry should rope in banks to lend to install rooftop solar connections, so that people need not worry about the initial investment. Instead of paying electricity bill, they can pay EMI. If the banks were given a target, things will happen faster," he said. Ashok Kumar said that the interest for rooftop solar is more in the districts than in Chennai.

Tangedco officials said a new connection involves various factors such as payment by consumers, installation of panels and inverters by vendors and availability of inverters, after the feasibility report is issued.