Tamil Nadu is the place where ancient temples meet modern innovation and is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and technology. This southern gem pulses a rich cultural heritage while leading India into a sustainable future through its ambitious solar energy initiatives.
Tamil Nadu ranks 3rd in state-wise monthly solar power generation as of December 2024 with 1,165.04 Million Units (MU). Also, 9,270.2 MW solar installed capacity, TN is the 3rd largest state in India. In this state, if you are looking to install residential solar energy systems, you will be eligible for the solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu.
These schemes aim to reduce the initial investment cost of solar systems and boost solar energy adoption among residential consumers.
In this blog, you will learn about the solar subsidies available in Tamil Nadu, subsidy amount, required documents, eligibility criteria and other important details.
State & Central Solar Energy Subsidy Amount in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, you can avail of state and central solar subsidies. Let’s see how much you can get from the Tamil Nadu solar subsidy:
- Tamil Nadu State Solar Subsidy Scheme Amount
TN Govt subsidy for solar panels is also known as Chief Minister’s Solar Rooftop Capital Incentive Scheme. This scheme offers a subsidy of Rs. 20,000 per kilowatt for on-grid residential solar. This is the highest amount you can get per flat /house even if you install a solar system with higher capacity.
- Central Solar Energy Subsidy in Tamil Nadu
On the other hand, the central solar subsidy scheme is provided under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme, you can get Rs. 30,000/kW solar subsidy and the highest limit is Rs. 78,000 per consumer.
For this scheme, the Indian government has passed a total budget of Rs. 75,021 crore. If you want to know more about PM Surya Ghar Yojana, you can read our blog on this topic.
Here is a quick summary of Tamil Nadu solar subsidy amount:
Solar System Capacity |
Central Subsidy (Rs.) |
State Subsidy (Rs.) |
Total Subsidy (Rs.) |
1 kW |
30,000 |
20,000 |
50,000 |
2 kW |
60,000 |
20,000 |
80,000 |
3 kW |
78,000 |
20,000 |
98,000 |
Above 3 kW to 10 kW |
Up to 78,000 |
20,000 |
Up to 98,000 |
Note- The amount may change at any time as per government regulations. In such cases, we will try to update this table.
Cost of Solar System Installation in Tamil Nadu With Subsidy
Follow this table to know the cost of the solar system before and after the solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu:
Rooftop Solar Capacity |
Installation Cost – Without Subsidy (Rs.) |
State Subsidy (Rs.) |
Central Subsidy (Rs.) |
Total Subsidy (Rs.) |
Installation Cost – With Subsidy (Rs.) |
1 kW |
90,000 – 1,30,000 |
20,000 |
30,000 |
50,000 |
40,000 – 80,000 |
2 kW |
1,40,000 – 1,80,000 |
20,000 |
60,000 |
80,000 |
60,000 – 1,00,000 |
3 kW |
1,90,000 – 2,30,000 |
20,000 |
78,000 |
98,000 |
92,000 – 1,32,000 |
5 kW |
2,90,000 – 3,30,000 |
20,000 |
78,000 |
98,000 |
1,92,000 – 2,32,000 |
10 kW |
5,40,000 – 5,80,000 |
20,000 |
78,000 |
98,000 |
4,42,000 – 4,82,000 |
Don’t know how to set up a residential solar system? Read our blog to learn the step-by-step residential solar system installation process.
Tamil Nadu Solar Subsidy Eligibility Criteria
At this point, hopefully, you are very much interested in solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu. Before knowing the application, here are the eligibility criteria for you.
Eligibility for State Solar Subsidy in Tamil Nadu
To get the state subsidy, you have to match these criteria:
- You must have an active domestic electricity connection from TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation)
- You must choose from a list of empanelled vendors approved by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) to ensure quality and compliance with standards.
PM Surya Ghar Yojana Eligibility Requirements
If you want to apply for the central solar subsidy, you should be very careful about the eligibility guidelines:
- This solar subsidy is only applicable to residential solar systems.
- You must be an Indian citizen and your age must be at least 18 years.
- The solar components used in your solar system must be DCR and ALMM-approved.
- The house owner and the electricity meter owner should be the same person.
- You should have an active household electricity connection from a local distribution company (DISCOM).
- If you have previously availed of any other solar panel subsidy, you are not eligible to apply for this scheme.
Documents Required to Apply for Solar Energy Subsidy in Tamil Nadu
Before you apply for a solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu, you have to prepare some important documents as per the lists below:
Documents Required for TN Govt Subsidy for Solar Panels
- Online application form.
- Bank account information for subsidy fund transfer.
- Structural stability certificate issued by a structural engineer.
- Technical details of the solar rooftop system including specifications, warranty, and performance guarantee.
- Identity verification document (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport).
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local electricity distribution company.
- Receipt or proof of payment for the solar rooftop installation.
- Proof of ownership or lease agreement for the premises.
- Layout plan and site plan showing where the solar rooftop system will be installed.
- Recent utility bill (electricity, telephone, or ration card) as proof of address.
- Any additional documentation as specified by TEDA for solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency).
Documents Required for PM Surya Ghar Yojana
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport size photograph
- Commissioning Certificate generated from the PM Surya Ghar Portal
- Cancelled Cheque.
How to Apply TN Govt Subsidy for Solar Panels?
These are the steps to apply the state solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu:
Step 1: Go to the official TEDA website and select “Solar Rooftop”.
Step 2: Select “Apply Online” and access the application form.
Step 3: Enter your details, contact information, and project details in the form.
Step 4: You have to upload necessary documents, including proof of possession, identity proof, site plan, and building layout plan.
Step 5: Check all the details and documents to ensure accuracy.
Step 6: Select “Submit” to complete and send your application to TEDA.
How to Apply for Solar Subsidy in Tamil Nadu Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme?
To apply for the solar subsidy in Tamil Nadu solar subsidy Under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme, you have to follow these steps:
1. Visit the Official Website
2. Register on the Portal
- Click on “Apply for Rooftop Solar”.
- Enter your mobile number and verify it with the OTP sent to your phone.
- Select your state, district, and electricity distribution company (DISCOM).
- Provide your electricity consumer number, name, and email address.
- Complete the captcha and click Submit.
3. Log In
- Use your mobile number and log in.
4. Fill Out the Application Form
- Complete the form with the required details as per the given guidelines.
5. Feasibility Approval
- Wait for DISCOM to review and approve the feasibility of your solar rooftop installation.
6. Installation Process
- Once approved, select a registered vendor from your DISCOM to install the solar system as per specifications. You can get the state-wise registered vendor list at PM Surya Ghar Portal.
7. Post-Installation Steps
- After installation, submit the solar plant details and apply for a net meter.
- DISCOM will inspect the system, install the net meter, and issue a commissioning certificate.
8. Claim Your Subsidy
- Upload a cancelled cheque and your bank account details through the portal.
- The Tamil Nadu solar subsidy will be credited to your bank account within 30 days after approval.
Progress in Tamil Nadu’s PM Surya Ghar Scheme Implementation
The Union government has set a goal to install 25 lakh solar systems in households in Tamil Nadu under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. However, the response from consumers has been disappointing, with only 70,122 registrations so far which is just 2.8% of the target.
Out of these registrations, only 18,032 applications have been submitted for solar energy subsidy in Tamil Nadu. This indicates a significant gap between interest and actual participation. According to the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGEC), only 13,000 households have successfully installed these systems. Currently, 5,032 applications are still pending at various stages of processing.
To meet the ambitious target set by the central government, the state needs to be aware of the scheme. This could help encourage more consumers to participate and take advantage of the benefits offered by the PM Surya Ghar Scheme.