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Seasonal Solar Generation in Chennai

As a general indication of solar generation throughout the year, here’s what you can expect from a 1 kW solar panel setup (north-facing, 20° tilt):

Chennai Roofs and Solar Panel Tilt

In Chennai, most of the rooftops are flat or have a slight slope, which is good for altering the tilt angle of solar panels for optimal performance. For sloped roofs, the existing angle is usually sufficient, and additional framing is not necessary unless you want to alter it for seasonal generation. Using tilt frames hikes the costs and may require structural changes or civic approvals, so many resident owners stick with the natural slope or minimal framing.

What’s the Best Tilt for Solar in Chennai?

Chennai lies close to the equator, so the ideal tilt angle for the solar panels is around 10° to 15° for annual-round performance.

• Flat roofs benefit from mounting solar panels at a tilt of 10° to 20°, which allows for effective water runoff and improved energy generation.
• Sloped roofs with angles between 10° and 30° generally perform well without any modifications.
• Using a tilt closer to 10° enhances energy production during the summer, making it ideal for homes that heavily rely on air conditioning.
• Steeper tilts, ranging from 30° to 35°, provide a slight advantage for energy generation in winter; however, since winters in Chennai are mild, the energy demand is typically lower during this season.

Output Difference by Tilt Angle

While optimizing tilt can marginally boost output, the annual difference between on 10° and a 30° angle is typically less than 5% in Chennai’s consistent sun-rich environment. Therefore, for most homeowners and businesses, it’s more cost-effective to follow the existing roof pitch or use a minimal tilt structure.

Maximum Solar System Size in Chennai

In Chennai, households connected to single-phase power can typically install a solar system with an inverter capacity of up to 5 kW, while those with three-phase power can install systems of up to 10 kW or more. The system size depends on the approval granted by TANGEDCO.

If you are planning a system larger than 10 kW, or for commercial or industrial purposes, it’s advisable to consult your installer early in the process for guidance on feasibility and approvals.

The Application Process in Chennai

In Chennai, grid-connected solar installations fall under the Tamil Nadu Solar Policy and are managed by TANGEDCO. The application process involves:

• Submission of an online application via the TANGEDCO portal
• Feasibility approval depending on load and transformer capacity
• Installation of net metering. Your installer will guide you through

You might feel the process is overwhelming, but a certified solar installer will handle the paperwork, making the process smooth.

Chennai-Specific Solar Incentives

In Chennai, strategically installing solar panels with a total capacity 33% greater than your inverter’s rating allows for increased energy capture during low-light conditions, leading to higher self-consumption and a faster payback.

Benefit from the full solar rebate through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) even when oversizing your system by up to 33%. STCs gradually reduce your upfront solar installation costs.

Solar rebates, including STC values, are subject to change. Installing your solar system in Chennai sooner ensures you capitalize on the currently available incentives.
Achieve smoother daily energy production and greater energy independence by optimizing your solar panel-to-inverter ratio.

Chennai Electricity Usage

Households in Chennai typically consume between 3,600 and 5,000 kWh per year, depending on factors like household size, appliance efficiency, and whether air conditioning is heavily used.

Chennai is one of the hottest cities in Tamil Nadu during summer, with electricity usage peaking from April to June due to the extensive use of fans, air coolers, and air conditioners.

Chennai Electricity Prices

Chennai, like the rest of Tamil Nadu, benefits from some of the lowest residential electricity tariffs in India. As of recent tariff structures:

• The first 100 units per billing cycle are often free for residential consumers.
• Usage beyond 100 units is billed in slabs, with higher consumption attracting higher rates.
• Households with solar can offset grid usage through net metering, reducing overall bills significantly.

That said, tariff revisions can occur, and solar feed-in rates or subsidies can vary based on policy updates. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on announcements from TANGEDCO or TEDA for any changes in rates or net metering conditions.

Savings from Rooftop Solar Panels in Chennai

A typical Chennai household that installs a 3 kW to 5 kW rooftop solar system, with north-facing panels and self-consumes around 40 to 50% of the solar electricity generated, can save approximately ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 per year on electricity bills. The electricity bills depend on their consumption pattern and the electricity slab.

A 5 kW solar system typically generates around 20 units of electricity per day. If the household uses half of this energy directly, the savings are realized in two ways: by avoiding the need to purchase electricity from the grid and by earning credits through net metering for any excess solar energy that is exported back to the grid.

With TANGEDCO’s net metering, excess energy exported is credited at retail tariffs depending on the sanctioned load, further improving savings potential

Self-Consumption of Solar Electricity

In Chennai, maximizing self-consumption is the smart way to get the best return on your solar investment, especially since solar electricity is effectively free once installed, while grid electricity costs can go up with higher usage slabs.

Here are some tips to increase your solar self-consumption:

• Run major appliances during the day, washing machines, dishwashers, and geysers can be scheduled for midday operation.
• Pre-cool your home using the air conditioner before you return from work in the evening.
• Use timers to automate appliances during peak solar generation hours.
• Charge electric scooters or home batteries during the day, if available.

Getting the Most Out of Rooftop Solar Power in Chennai

Chennai’s climate shows the way to go solar. Chennai’s summer climate is an ideal location for solar use. To get the most out of rooftop solar power, households can consider using an east-west split configuration of solar panels, which optimizes energy production during peak demand times. The reasons to choose East-West panels are

• East-facing panels will generate more energy during the morning, while west-facing panels will help meet afternoon and evening demand, especially during the summer when peak electricity use occurs in the late afternoon and early evening
• Shading can be a concern in certain parts of Chennai, particularly in neighborhoods with extensive tree shade. If your roof is subject to shading, you can go with the option of using microinverters or DC optimizers, which can help minimize output loss and ensure that your solar system performs optimally, even in partial shading areas.

Chennai’s dusty atmosphere and low rainfall in the summer months can cause a build-up of dust on solar panels. Regular cleaning can help boost your system’s efficiency, yielding better results than in cities with frequent rainfall.

Getting the Most Out of the Solar Rebate in Chennai

Households and businesses in Chennai can maximize the efficiency of their rooftop solar systems by oversizing the system, installing panels with a total capacity greater than the inverter rating. While this may result in a slight loss of energy output when the sun is directly overhead, it ensures better performance during lower sunlight hours or on cloudy days.

A rooftop solar system in Chennai can be up to 33% oversized relative to the inverter’s rated capacity while still being eligible for the full solar rebate. This oversizing helps to smooth out the power generation throughout the day, increasing self-consumption and improving the payback period for solar power installation.

The solar incentives are available for rooftop installations and can significantly reduce upfront costs. Keep in mind that this rebate will be phased out gradually, so installing solar panels sooner rather than later can help you maximize the financial benefits.

Upgrading Electricity Meters for Solar Power in Chennai

When installing a rooftop solar system, you’ll also need to ensure that your electricity meter is upgraded to a bi-directional meter to measure both the imported and exported electricity. This net metering system allows you to send excess solar energy back to the grid, receiving credits or payments for the energy you contribute.

Your electricity retailer will handle this meter upgrade, which is essential for managing your solar energy production and consumption effectively.

Chennai’s Solar Power Uptake

Chennai and Tamil Nadu are leading the way in solar power adoption across India. Tamil Nadu has seen impressive growth in solar installations, with over 10,000 MW of installed capacity as of recent reports. Chennai is home to a significant proportion of these installations, benefiting from the state’s commitment to promoting renewable energy.

Solar Power as Part of the Energy Mix in Chennai

Solar Power is playing an increasingly important role in Chennai’s electricity mix. Tamil Nadu aims to generate 30% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with rooftop solar making a significant contribution. At times of high sunlight, rooftop solar systems in Chennai can meet a substantial portion of residential energy needs.

Rooftop Solar Panels and Emissions in Chennai

While Tamil Nadu’s electricity grid is largely powered by natural gas and renewable sources, rooftop solar in Chennai offers significant environmental benefits by reducing the need for grid power. Since solar power systems produce no direct emissions, the energy generated by solar panels displaces the use of fossil-fuel-based power, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Electricity Grid in Chennai

TANGEDCO manages the electricity grid in Chennai. The grid infrastructure covers most of Chennai, with TANGEDCO managing high-voltage transmission and TNEB handling the distribution of electricity to homes and businesses.

As a growing metropolitan area, Chennai relies heavily on its grid, but solar installations are helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease strain on the electricity grid. With strong government policies supporting solar energy, the city is on track to become a key player in India’s renewable energy transition.