Rooftop Solar PV Awareness Workshop - ADYAR SHASTRI NAGAR WELFARE ASSOCIATION
Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), in collaboration with the Residents of Adyar Shastri Nagar Welfare Association organized a Rooftop Solar PV Awareness Workshop on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at KNRA Community Hall, Adyar. The event, held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, saw the participation of 15 residents from Adyar Shastri Nagar.
Workshop Overview
The session featured researchers and experts from CAG who shared valuable insights on rooftop solar PV systems. Participants received IEC material covering key topics such as system fundamentals, installation process, investment, and available incentives, which they found highly useful.
To understand the audience's requirements, participants introduced themselves, mentioning their locality, type of residence (villa, apartment, or individual house), and their primary concerns. Almost all of the attendees live in independent houses, and were mainly seeking ways to reduce their high electricity bills through solar solutions.
Mr.Manikandan, Researcher, CAG introduced CAG’s work and the purpose of the workshop. Mr.Kirubakaran, Researcher, CAG and Mr.Manikandan, provided an in-depth explanation of rooftop solar PV systems, covering:
- System types and capacity requirements
- Space needed for installation
- Investment costs and available subsidies for different electricity tariffs
- Payback period calculations based on electricity consumption
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Key guidelines and checklists for installation
Mr.Kirubakaran, Researcher CAG explaining about the rooftop solar PV systems to the participants.
Participant Queries
The workshop included a Question & Answers (Q&A) session where participants raised key questions, many of which were addressed. During the session, participants inquired about various aspects of solar panel installation, including safety concerns, vendor accessibility, specific questions related to their individual homes, as well as economic and technical considerations. In response, the researchers provided comprehensive explanations addressing technical, economic, and safety aspects, leading to an engaging and informative discussion with the attendees.
List of few questions asked by the participants during the meeting:
1.Mr. X asked about the approval requirement for rooftop solar systems. CAG team explained that approval is not needed for off-grid systems. However, for on-grid systems, approval is mandatory—but it is automatically processed by the TNPDCL when the rooftop solar application is submitted.
2.Mr. Y questioned why rooftop solar systems have not been widely installed in government buildings. CAG team responded that Greater Chennai Corporation Office and some post offices already have rooftop solar systems.
3.Mr. Z asked whether strong winds could damage rooftop solar panels. CAG team clarified that if the system is installed in proper mounting structures of cement concrete (RCC) mounts, rail-based systems, or elevated structures, it will not be a problem even during heavy winds.
4.Mr. A inquired about the bidirectional meter. CAG team confirmed that a bidirectional meter is mandatory. If a house has an unidirectional meter, it must be replaced with a bidirectional one.
TNPDCL now installs bidirectional meters by default in all new houses. These meters come with a built-in option for a software update, enabling easy activation for rooftop solar (RTS) applications. As a result, consumers can avoid the additional cost of purchasing a new meter when applying for solar connectivity.
5.Mr. B asked about the possibility of installing rooftop solar systems in common areas like community halls. CAG team explained that it is indeed possible, and such installations are also eligible for net metering under common service connections.
Mr. Kaarmuhil,Consultant CAG delivered the vote of thanks to the RWA members, expressing gratitude for their participation and support.
Next Steps & Conclusion
Mr.Kaarmuhil, Consultant,CAG concluded the session, and participants expressed appreciation for the initiative. The participants were asked to contact CAG in case of any doubts or queries related to rooftop solar. For further details, CAG has prepared an SOP for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.