Lukewarm reception to solar power in Chennai homes: Study

The preliminary research was done across five cities, including Chennai, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Nagpur, covering 1,800 residential electricity consumers. The study was taken up to understand consumer experience with rooftop solar panel installation – not only for those who have installed this technology, but also those 

who considered the renewable energy option, said Uttara Narayan, senior project associate at World Resources Institute (WRI), an international environmental think tank. 

The study found that the awareness about technology was low among the public, which has to be addressed if the country is to achieve its 20 GW solar energy target. For instance, when deciding on the technology, the potential residential consumers are faced with a number of queries about the sources of verifiable information, feasibility of hybrid systems, warranty, and even vendor accountability. 

“The dissemination of credible information with regard to quality of installation is lacking,” said Narayan. Another key lapse is the engagement of government agency to promote solar rooftop panel installations. 

“In Tamil Nadu for example, there is no clarity on net metering,” she added. “The basic idea behind this ongoing study is that the residential consumer’s perspective has not been factored in, focussing on commercial usage. We wanted to fill this gap and share these findings with various stakeholders including solar panel installers and representatives from banks, and also teach consumers how to access finance aid or get a ‘solar loan’,” the researcher said. 

According to the policy note by the state Energy department, Tamil Nadu has a total installed capacity of 1702.40 megawatt (MW) of solar energy as on May 31 last. Considerable quantum of solar generation is being realised during day time – around 800 MW to 1,200 MW. 

This hit an all-time high on March 27 last, when the generation touched 1,498 MW. That day also recorded the all-time maximum energy of 9.40 million. In all, solar generators harnessed around 1,644 million units of solar energy during 2016-17.  

The government proposes to increase the solar power installed capacity by a further 5,000 MW in a phased manner, in the forthcoming years.