Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), in collaboration with the residents of Bharathiyar Social Welfare Association & Saraswathi Nagar Welfare Association organized a Rooftop Solar PV Awareness Workshop on Sunday,04 May, 2025, at Saraswathi Nagar,Thiruninravur. The event, held from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, saw the participation of 26 residents from Saraswathi Nagar, Thiruninravur.
Workshop Overview
CAG Senior Researcher, Mr. Bharath Ram, and Consultant, Ms. Aleena, led the workshop providing comprehensive information on rooftop solar PV systems. The session was attended by 26 participants, comprising largely of individual homeowners interested in reducing electricity costs. Participants received resources covering system fundamentals, installation processes, financial requirements, and available incentives.
The session began with a welcome address from Mr. Ramachandran, President, Saraswathi Nagar Residents Association. Ms.Aleena, Consultant, CAG welcomed the gathering by introducing CAG, and the workshop's objectives.
During the introductions, participants provided information about their neighbourhoods and the types of housing they lived in (villa, apartment, or individual residence). Nearly all the attendees resided in individual houses and were keen on adopting solar energy to reduce their electricity expenses.
Mr.Bharath Ram provided an in-depth explanation of rooftop solar PV systems, covering:
- Types of rooftop solar PV systems (on-grid, off-grid and hybrid) and its components
- Capacity determination
- Area requirements
- Economics of rooftop solar PV system including investment, available subsidies, payback period
- Important guidelines and checklists for the installation process
Mr.Bharath Ram, Senior Researcher, CAG, explaining rooftop solar PV systems to the participants.
Participant Queries
The workshop included a question-and-answer segment that generated significant participant engagement. Attendees actively sought clarification on multiple aspects of rooftop solar implementation, including:
- Safety considerations and risk mitigation
- Local vendor selection and availability
- Site specific installation requirements
- Financial investment strategies and return calculations
- Technical specifications and system compatibility
CAG researchers responded with detailed explanations covering the technical, economic, and safety dimensions of each inquiry leading to an engaging and informative discussion with the attendees.
Some of the questions asked by participants were as follows:
1. Mr. A asked if the rooftop solar PV system has a warranty and, if so, for how many years? The CAG team explained that a rooftop solar panel has a performance warranty of 25 years, solar panel product warranty of 10 years and inverter product warranty of 5-10 years .
2. Mr. B questioned whether solar panels are safe to touch while in operation and how were the chances of getting electrocuted. The CAG team explained that solar panels are covered with a layer of glass, which acts as an electrical insulator. However, under certain conditions, such as high humidity or panel damage, minor leakage currents may still occur. Therefore, it is advisable not to touch or clean the panels during peak sunlight hours, when they are actively generating electricity. The risk of electrocution remains very low under normal operating conditions, especially when the solar PV system is installed by certified professionals, follows proper safety standards, and is equipped with effective earthing (grounding).
3. Mr. C inquired about the maintenance and cleaning of rooftop panels. The CAG team explained that proper cleaning is very important for the efficiency of the system, especially for cities like Chennai where pollution is high. Cleaning the system once a week was suggested.
4. Mr. D enquired about hybrid solar systems and their costs. The CAG team explained that a hybrid solar PV system connects to the grid as well as includes a battery backup, so it can still work during power outages. This is especially helpful in emergencies like cyclones. Although it costs more because of the battery, it provides reliable power when it’s most needed. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy also applies to hybrid systems making them a more accessible and resilient energy option.
5. Mr. E inquired about the rooftop area requirement of the solar PV system. The CAG team clarified that a 1 kW PV system requires 100 square feet shade free area.
Next Steps & Conclusion
The workshop was highly informative and interactive, with important insights shared with prospective consumers. Almost all the participants were interested in installing rooftop solar and requested further assistance from CAG for installing rooftop solar PV systems in their homes.
Ms. Aleena, Consultant, CAG concluded the session, and participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative. The participants were asked to contact CAG in case of any doubts or queries. For further details, CAG has prepared an SOP for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.