Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) and ASAR Social Impact Advisors, in collaboration with the P.K Residents Welfare Association, Thoraipakkam organised a rooftop solar PV awareness workshop on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Kumaran Kudil, Thoraipakkam. The event was held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and was attended by 30 residents from Kumaran Kudil and Parthasarathy Nagar areas of Thoraipakkam.
Subramani, Researcher, CAG, explaining rooftop solar systems to the participants.
Workshop Overview
The session was facilitated by Subramani, Researcher, CAG, and Kaarmuhil, Consultant, CAG. Participants received brochures on rooftop solar PV systems. Subramani welcomed the gathering and introduced the basics of rooftop solar PV systems. He covered topics such as:
- Types of systems and capacity requirements
- Space needed for installation
- Investment costs and available subsidies for different electricity tariffs
- Payback period calculations based on electricity consumption
- Key guidelines and checklists for installations
Participant Queries:
- Why do vendors request full payment at the time of installation?
Payment structures vary depending on the vendor and the system size. The standard practice involves a 50% advance upon delivery of materials, with the remaining 50% due at the time of installation.
- What is the typical waiting period for net meter installation?
The net meter installation process generally takes between 15 to 30 days. In case of delays, consumers may approach the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA) to raise grievances.
- Is subsidy available for off-grid solar systems under current government schemes?
As per the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, subsidies are applicable only for on-grid and hybrid rooftop solar systems. Off-grid systems are currently not eligible for subsidies.
- Can a system be configured to switch between off-grid and grid connections?
Yes. This is possible using a hybrid (multimode) inverter, which enables the system to switch between grid-tied and off-grid modes with the help of a changeover switch. Through AC coupling, the inverter senses a grid outage and automatically transitions to off-grid operation.
- How are exported solar energy units accounted for?
Exported units are adjusted in each billing cycle and can be carried forward. However, any unused units will lapse at the end of the financial year.
- Where can I locate the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) number on a solar panel?
Each solar module carries a unique serial number printed on its surface. This number can be verified on the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) portal, which will generate a 16-digit DCR certificate number for eligible modules.
Next Steps and Conclusion
Mr. Sathyanarayanan, a consumer who recently installed a 3 kW solar system, shared his experience of approaching vendors, evaluating quotations, and identifying essential elements to consider. He appreciated CAG’s effort in organising the session, noting that he had relied solely on online resources during his own installation process. He encouraged participants to make the most of the workshop.
Mr. Sathyanarayanan sharing his experience on installing rooftop solar
Some participants were already in the process of installing rooftop solar systems and had received quotations. They shared these with CAG researchers for verification and requested CAG’s guidance during their installation process. For further details, CAG has prepared an SOP for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.