The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Ltd (APEPDCL) has installed nearly 31,000 rooftop solar plants with a total capacity of 100 MW across its jurisdiction. Chairperson and Managing Director Prudhvi Tej Immadi said the installations were completed under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, with 31,022 units amounting to 100,026 kW already connected to the grid.

According to APEPDCL data, Eluru district leads with 4,134 installations totalling 13,491 kW. Kakinada follows with 3,960 systems (12,923 kW), while Visakhapatnam has 3,715 installations generating 13,131 kW. East Godavari recorded 3,532 systems (11,516 kW), West Godavari 3,382 installations (10,945 kW), Srikakulam 3,366 systems (10,326 kW) and Vizianagaram 3,279 installations (10,242 kW).

Anakapalle district has 2,841 systems totalling 8,712 kW, and Konaseema has 1,934 installations generating 6,091 kW. Parvathipuram–Manyam recorded 864 installations (260 kW), while ASR district logged 15 systems producing 48 kW.

The CMD said the scheme is gaining traction because it allows households to meet their electricity needs for up to 20 years with a one-time investment. Any surplus power can be exported to the grid, enabling additional income. Awareness programmes are being held to help consumers benefit from the scheme.

He added that 100 sq ft of rooftop space is required for a 1 kW solar plant. Subsidies include Rs30,000 for 1 kW, Rs60,000 for 2 kW and up to Rs78,000 for 3 kW. A 3 kW plant can generate 360–450 units a month, allowing households to consume what they need and sell excess power to APEPDCL.

To support consumers living in apartments, APEPDCL is enabling Virtual Net Metering, allowing residents to install solar units on an independent house they own anywhere within the 11 districts and transfer generated units to offset apartment bills. Apartment common services may also install rooftop systems based on contracted load and are eligible for subsidies of Rs18,000 per kW for capacities up to 500 kW.

Banks are offering low-interest EMI-based loans for installations. Applications can be submitted through the PM Surya Ghar portal, with consumers free to choose from empanelled vendors. There is no application fee, and users with smart meters do not require a separate net meter.