Rooftop solar in Chennai
Calculator below is tuned to Chennai's sunshine, not a generic national average.
- Peak sun
- ~5.3 hrs/day
- Generation
- ~4.2 units/kW/day
- Max subsidy
- ₹78,000
Where your money goes
Your 25-year money curve
What the planet gets
Based on India's grid emission factor (~0.82 kg CO₂/unit) and ~20 kg CO₂ absorbed per mature tree per year.
TANGEDCO offers net metering / net billing for residential rooftop solar. Central PM Surya Ghar subsidy applies.
Enter a valid monthly bill greater than ₹0 to see your results.
Solar in Chennai: what's different locally
Chennai's sun is strong and consistent outside the northeast monsoon. TANGEDCO's compensation rules for exported units have changed more than most states, verify the current net metering/billing arrangement before finalizing size.
DISCOM: TANGEDCO Chennai region; net billing/metering rules have been revised repeatedly, confirm current regime.
Typical residential areas going solar: Anna Nagar, Velachery, Adyar, Porur, anywhere with a shadow-free roof works the same way.
| Electricity provider | TANGEDCO |
|---|---|
| Avg peak sun hours | ~5.3 hours/day |
| 3kW generates | ~378 units/month |
| Benchmark install cost | ~₹60,000/kW (gross, before subsidy) |
| 3kW total subsidy | ₹78,000 |
| Application timeline | 30-45 days |
Sun-hour figures are annual averages from public irradiance data, rounded, your roof's orientation and shading move the real number. Generation assumes a ~0.8 performance ratio (inverter losses, temperature, soiling).
Official portals, apply & verify here
We are not affiliated with any government body. Applications and current scheme rules live on these official portals, never pay anyone to "arrange" the subsidy for you.
Sources for this page
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (MNRE), subsidy slabs and process
- TANGEDCO, tariff and net metering details
- Global Solar Atlas, city irradiance ballparks
Chennai solar FAQs
How much does a 3kW solar system generate in Chennai?
Roughly 378 units per month, based on Chennai's ~5.3 peak sun hours per day (about 4.2 units per kW daily after real-world losses). High-sun months generate more, monsoon months less, this is the annual average.
What subsidy do I get for rooftop solar in Chennai?
The same as everywhere in Tamil Nadu: ₹30,000 (1kW), ₹60,000 (2kW), ₹78,000 (3kW+) under PM Surya Ghar. Applications go through pmsuryaghar.gov.in.
Who handles net metering in Chennai?
TANGEDCO Chennai region; net billing/metering rules have been revised repeatedly, confirm current regime. Expect roughly 30-45 days for the full process.
Is solar worth it in Chennai?
Chennai's sun is strong and consistent outside the northeast monsoon. TANGEDCO's compensation rules for exported units have changed more than most states, verify the current net metering/billing arrangement before finalizing size.