Solar consumers seek more grievance redressal meetings

Since the State Government announced an additional incentive of ₹22,000 to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for those investing in solar rooftops, there has been a renewed momentum in the market.

Officials working in the Tamil Nadu rooftop solar division say they are getting between 800 and 1,000 application forms from across the state on a daily basis. This is way higher than the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which was receiving 200-300 applications on an average. Increased awareness of investing in renewable energy, climate change resulting in increased power bills and subsidies from both the central and state governments are among the reasons why many domestic consumers are keen on investing in solar rooftops.

Recently, at the Indian Solar Association’s special interactive meet, Minister for Energy Resources C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said nearly 20,000 applications had been received since the launch of the Tamil Nadu Rooftop Solar Subsidy Scheme, and close to 1,500 applications were cleared for subsidy. The minister also announced that under the subsidy scheme they have set a target of one lakh rooftop solar plants by the end of March next year.

In the integrated portal (https://www.tnebltd.gov.in), the Tamil Nadu Solar Roof Top section offers a number of details to help one understand solar rooftop better. An RTS cell has been created in every circle to assist consumers in switching to solar power and to carry out various outreach activities.

Circle-wise camps have begun to bring various stakeholders, including banks, vendors and consumers, to one platform. One such camp will soon be held in Tirchy.

Officials say an open access portal is also getting ready, which would enable people to process applications online.

Many consumers who are keen on investing in solar rooftops say more awareness campaigns must be conducted to clarify nagging queries, and such information must be widely publicised.

Geetha Venkataraman, a member of an apartment community in Chennai that has invested in solar rooftop for its common areas, says some vendors have little knowledge and are not able to provide correct details to consumers. Like CMWSSB and Postal Department that conducts grievance meetings regularly and announces such details through various platforms, Tamil Nadu Electricity Department should do the same for consumers of solar. “Difference between net metering and net feeding, is there provision to enhance solar capacity and many such queries keep coming as solar technology is evolving,” says Geetha.