APSPDCL has connected 50,000 rooftop solar systems installed at Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households to the electricity grid, becoming the first of the state’s three power distribution companies to reach the milestone. The achievement was recorded under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and marks a notable advancement in household renewable power adoption. The milestone underscores the distribution company's part in advancing renewable targets.

Under the scheme, APSPDCL is installing rooftop solar systems at 0.207 million (mn) households across nine districts, with a planned capacity of 415 megawatt (MW). The programme covers Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, Kadapa, Sri Sathya Sai, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Nellore districts. Field staff and solar agencies have been mobilised to secure consents and complete installations within the stipulated timeframe. The installations are intended to increase household energy self-sufficiency and reduce daytime grid demand.

Data on the ministry portal under the Utility Led Aggregation mechanism shows that systems with a combined capacity of 203.95 MW have been installed at 0.101 mn households so far. APSPDCL has set the end of August as the deadline for completing the remaining installations. Monitoring and quality assurance measures are reported to be in place to sustain system performance. The connection process comprises consent, installation, inspection and linkage to the electricity grid, after which beneficiary households can generate and supply solar power to the grid.

APSPDCL management is coordinating with agencies and field teams to meet the deadline and to expedite pending work. The company's chairman directed staff and partners to complete consent, inspection and connectivity tasks and congratulated those involved for reaching the 50,000 connectivity milestone. The PM Surya Ghar scheme targets rooftop solar systems on 10 mn houses nationally, and Andhra Pradesh is reported to rank fourth in installations, a development expected to expand access to clean energy.