Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), in collaboration with Valluvam Organic Market organised a rooftop solar PV awareness program on Sunday, May 4, 2025, within the market premises in Tambaram. The event took place from 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and was attended by residents from Tambaram and nearby areas.
Program Overview
The Valluvam Organic Market is held on the first Sunday of every month. The market is dedicated exclusively to promoting organic and nature-based products that encourage a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle. The CAG team set up a stall to raise awareness about rooftop solar systems and their benefits. The stall was managed by Mr. Kaarmuhil (Consultant) and Mr. Subramani (Researcher).
Rooftop Solar PV awareness stall at Valluvam Organic Market
The Valluvam Organic Market attracted a diverse crowd with around 500 visitors attending this month’s edition. Many attendees visited the rooftop solar stall, where around 50 people engaged directly with the CAG team to learn more about rooftop solar PV systems and ask questions.
The CAG team also shared broader insights into the benefits and the process of adopting rooftop solar systems. All interested participants were provided with IEC materials covering key topics such as system basics, installation procedures, cost and investment details, and available government incentives. The materials were well-received and found to be informative and useful.
https://www.cag.org.in/database/ecc-posters-where-does-your-electricity-come
https://www.cag.org.in/database/iec-materials-know-your-electricity-rights
https://www.cag.org.in/database/iec-materials-understanding-network-charges-renewable-energy-systems
https://www.cag.org.in/sites/default/files/database/RTS%20maintenance.pdf
Among those who interacted with the team, most were independent house owners who expressed interest in adopting rooftop solar solutions to help reduce their electricity bills and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Mr.Kaarmuhil, consultant and Mr.Subramani, researcher explaining about benefits of rooftop solar
Participant Queries and Discussion
During the event, several visitors raised important questions regarding rooftop solar systems. Below are a few notable interactions:
Mr. A enquired about the cost benefits of rooftop solar. The CAG team explained the investment involved, the government subsidy available, and payback period of rooftop solar PV systems.
Mr. B raised concerns about the possibility of theft after installation. The CAG team assured him that rooftop solar systems are securely mounted using strong, concrete-based structures. Some vendors are also using anti-theft bolts and nuts for mounting panels. Due to their size and fixed installation, the risk of theft is extremely low.
Mrs. C asked about the e-waste generated from solar panels and batteries. The CAG team clarified that specific companies specialised in e-waste management and are responsible for the safe collection, recycling, or reuse of discarded solar components and batteries. Consumers can contact the recycler to dispose of the e-waste generated.
Mr. D wanted to know why off-grid systems are more expensive than on-grid systems. The CAG team explained that off-grid systems require batteries, which add to the overall cost, whereas on-grid systems do not require batteries. Additionally, government subsidies are currently only available for on-grid systems, further widening the cost gap.
Mr. E enquired about network charges. The CAG team explained that in an on-grid system, prosumers (producer-consumers) use the grid infrastructure to export and import electricity. Therefore, network charges are applied to cover the infrastructure and maintenance costs of grid usage. The network charges for residential consumers are around ₹ 100 / kW bimonthly.
Mr. Subramani, Researcher, CAG clarifying participant’s doubts
These questions reflected the participants’ genuine interest in sustainable energy solutions and their practical application in real-life scenarios. The discussion contributed to an even more engaging and informative awareness program experience.
Next Steps & Conclusion
Participants expressed their appreciation for the awareness program. They were encouraged to reach out to CAG for any further queries or support related to rooftop solar PV systems. For further details, CAG has prepared an SOP for rooftop solar installations. You can access the English version here and the Tamil version here.