Rooftop Solar in Madurai to Benefit High-Usage Households

23 Sep 2025 CW Team

Tangedco has announced plans to install rooftop solar power systems capable of generating 27,000 kilowatts (27 MW) in Madurai district by 2027, according to Superintending Engineer R. Regina Rajakumari. The initiative aims to benefit domestic electricity consumers who use between 500 and 1,000 units per billing cycle.

At an awareness meeting on Wednesday, Ms. Rajakumari said the central government has set a target of 27 MW of rooftop solar capacity for residential buildings in the district. Of the six million electricity consumers in Madurai, approximately 70,000 fall into the 500–1,000 units per cycle category.

“Consumers adopting solar power will benefit directly from lower electricity charges, while Tangedco can meet growing demand without increasing power production,” she noted.

So far, rooftop systems generating 1,000 kilowatts (1 MW) have been installed in the district. Tangedco plans to increase awareness of these systems, highlighting that they produce clean energy in contrast to thermal power plants. Ms. Rajakumari also emphasised that solar energy is abundant and cost-effective compared with other renewable sources such as tidal and wind energy.

Tangedco Executive Engineer Bala Parameswari added that households can install rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW and receive subsidies of up to Rs 78,000. Applications for on-grid solar systems are being processed swiftly.

Speaking at the event, Union Bank of India branch manager Sampath Kumar said the bank offers ten-year loans for rooftop solar installations at a preferential interest rate of six per cent. “Consumers can save significantly on electricity bills and use these savings to repay the loans,” he stated.

Rooftop solar is particularly advantageous for middle-class households seeking to manage rising expenses, he added. Other speakers included C. Packialakshmi, founder of the Women Consumer Protection Association, and Vishnu Mohan Rao of the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group.

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