Frequently Asked Questions

A 3 kW on-grid rooftop solar system in Chennai typically costs between ₹1,80,000 and ₹2,20,000 before subsidy, depending on module technology (Mono PERC or TOPCon Bifacial) and inverter brand. After the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar central subsidy, your net effective investment is approximately ₹1,02,000 to ₹1,42,000.

A 5 kW on-grid solar system in Chennai costs between ₹2,90,000 and ₹3,50,000 before subsidy. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, the maximum residential central subsidy is capped at ₹78,000, bringing the net effective price to approximately ₹2,12,000 to ₹2,72,000 with complete TANGEDCO net metering approval.

A 10 kW commercial on-grid solar system in Tamil Nadu costs between ₹5,20,000 and ₹6,50,000 before taxes. While central residential subsidies do not apply to commercial meters, commercial enterprises can claim 40% Accelerated Depreciation (AD) and 18% GST input tax credit, recovering over 35% of system cost in tax savings within year one.

Adding lithium-ion battery storage (Hybrid solar) increases the total system cost by ₹1,20,000 to ₹2,00,000 for a 5 kWh to 10 kWh backup bank. A hybrid solar inverter plus lithium battery ensures uninterrupted electricity during power outages while still exporting surplus daytime generation to TANGEDCO through net metering.

No, IVR Energy quotations are 100% all-inclusive with zero hidden costs. Every turnkey proposal includes Tier-1 solar modules, on-grid string inverter, hot-dip galvanized mounting structures, AC/DC distribution boxes with surge arrestors, chemical earthing pits, bi-directional net meter liaison, TANGEDCO application fees, site transport, and installation labor.

Yes. Every individual residential homeowner with an active domestic TANGEDCO electricity connection is eligible for a direct bank transfer (DBT) subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for installing a rooftop solar system of 3 kW or higher. The subsidy is credited directly to your bank account within 30 to 45 days after net meter commissioning.

To apply for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy in Tamil Nadu, you need: 1) Latest TANGEDCO electricity bill copy, 2) Aadhaar card of the electricity account holder, 3) Bank account passbook or cancelled cheque with matching name and IFSC code, and 4) Roof ownership proof or latest property tax receipt.

DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) mandates that both solar photovoltaic cells and solar modules must be manufactured inside India to qualify for the PM Surya Ghar central subsidy. Systems installed with imported non-DCR solar cells are ineligible for government subsidy disbursements.

Yes. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Group Housing Societies (GHS) are eligible for a subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW up to a maximum capacity of 500 kW. This subsidy applies to solar systems installed for common facility meters powering lifts, water pumping motors, clubhouses, and corridor lighting.

The central subsidy amount is credited via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into your bank account within 30 to 45 calendar days after TANGEDCO completes bidirectional net meter installation, site inspection, and commissioning certificate upload on the National Solar Portal.

TANGEDCO net metering replaces your existing meter with a bi-directional smart meter that records both electricity imported from the grid and surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. At the end of each billing cycle, you are billed only for the net difference (Import minus Export). Surplus units roll over as bill credits.

Yes. An accurately sized rooftop solar system can reduce your energy consumption charges to zero by generating 100% of your bimonthly units. However, your electricity bill will still carry a small non-negotiable statutory fixed charge (typically ₹50 to ₹150 per billing cycle) as mandated by TNERC for grid connection maintenance.

TANGEDCO net metering approval and bi-directional meter installation generally take 15 to 30 working days from the date of online application submission on the National Solar Portal and DISCOM portal. IVR Energy liaises directly with local Assistant Engineers (AE) and executive engineers to expedite inspection and meter commissioning.

Net Metering allows residential consumers to consume generated solar electricity on-site first and export only the surplus, offsetting high retail electricity tariff slabs on a 1:1 basis. In contrast, Gross Metering exports 100% of generated solar electricity directly to the utility at a fixed feed-in tariff without on-site self-consumption.

Surplus solar electricity exported to TANGEDCO is banked as energy credits and automatically carried forward across bimonthly billing cycles to offset higher electricity use during summer months. At the end of the annual settlement cycle, any unutilized surplus units are compensated at the TNERC approved rate.

A 3 kW solar system in Chennai generates an average of 12 to 14 units (kWh) of electricity per day, which totals 360 to 420 units per month and approximately 4,500 to 5,000 units per year. Chennai receives over 300 sunny days annually with high solar insolation of 5.2 to 5.8 kWh/m²/day.

A 3 kW rooftop solar system requires approximately 200 to 240 square feet (18 to 22 square meters) of shadow-free terrace or roof space. Modern 550W+ high-efficiency mono PERC or TOPCon modules require only 6 panels to achieve 3.3 kW capacity, minimizing the footprint on your terrace.

A 5 kW solar installation requires roughly 350 to 400 square feet (32 to 37 square meters) of unshaded rooftop area. Using 9 to 10 high-wattage 550W+ Tier-1 panels, IVR Energy configures the array in compact rows oriented true South at a 12° to 15° tilt angle for optimal Chennai irradiance.

Yes, rooftop solar is exceptionally profitable in Chennai due to high solar irradiance (300+ sunny days/year), rising TANGEDCO power tariffs, and the ₹78,000 PM Surya Ghar central subsidy. Most residential installations achieve a 25% to 32% annual return on investment (ROI), fully recovering capital within 3.5 years.

Yes. If you install a hybrid-ready on-grid inverter or an AC-coupled battery management system, you can easily integrate lithium-ion (LiFePO4) battery storage at a later date. This provides complete power backup during load shedding while continuing to export surplus power to TANGEDCO via net metering.

The physical rooftop installation of a residential 3 kW to 10 kW solar system takes only 1 to 3 days. The complete end-to-end process—including engineering site survey, DISCOM documentation, TANGEDCO net meter commissioning, and subsidy application—takes between 20 and 35 calendar days.

Yes. IVR Energy specializes in custom elevated superstructures (8 to 10 feet clearance) using heavy-duty hot-dip galvanized (GI) or pre-galvanized structural steel. This creates a shaded pergola canopy over your roof, keeping 100% of your terrace usable for recreation, gardening, or walking.

No. When installed by certified EPC professionals like IVR Energy, solar mounting structures will not cause roof leaks or structural damage. We use pre-cast concrete ballast blocks for drill-free installations, or chemical anchor fasteners sealed with industrial UV-resistant waterproofing elastomeric compounds.

Yes. IVR Energy designs and installs high-tensile, hot-dip galvanized steel mounting structures (80µm zinc coating) certified to withstand severe coastal cyclone winds of up to 160 to 180 km/h. Systems are secured using heavy-duty chemical anchor bolts and marine-grade SS304/SS316 fasteners tested against Vardah and Michaung level storms in Chennai.

Every IVR Energy rooftop solar plant is protected by a dedicated 3-point chemical pipe earthing system (separate pits for Solar DC Array, Inverter AC side, and Lightning Arrestor) paired with Type-II AC/DC Surge Protection Devices (SPDs). This comprehensive setup safely dissipates transient electrical surges and lightning strikes into the ground, safeguarding your home wiring and sensitive appliances.

IVR Energy is a premier Tamil Nadu Solar EPC contractor with 12+ years of engineering experience, 15+ MW installed, 180+ happy clients, and 250+ delivered projects. We provide 100% turnkey execution—from high-clearance structural engineering and Tier-1 DCR modules to guaranteed PM Surya Ghar subsidy clearance and 5-year workmanship warranties.

N-Type TOPCon Bifacial glass-to-glass solar panels are the best choice for Chennai weather. They feature a low temperature coefficient (-0.30%/°C) which ensures high energy output during extreme summer heat, while dual-glass encapsulation provides superior protection against coastal humidity, salinity, and potential induced degradation (PID).

Tier-1 solar panels have a design lifespan of 30 to 35 years. They come with two comprehensive warranties: a 10 to 12-year product manufacturing warranty covering defects, and a 25 to 30-year linear power output performance warranty guaranteeing at least 80% to 87.4% generation efficiency at year 25.

N-Type TOPCon is the latest generation of solar cell technology, offering higher module efficiency (22.5%+ vs 21.0% for Mono PERC), zero Light-Induced Degradation (LID), superior low-light generation on cloudy days, and slower annual degradation (0.4% per year vs 0.55% for Mono PERC).

Bifacial dual-glass panels capture sunlight from both the front and rear surfaces, producing up to 10% to 25% extra electricity from light reflected off white terrace floors. The dual-glass design eliminates polymer backsheet degradation, provides superior fire resistance, and prevents moisture and PID degradation in coastal environments.

IVR Energy uses advanced 3D sun-path simulation software and site mapping to trace shadow patterns across all 365 days of the year. Panels are positioned outside shadow zones caused by water tanks or trees, and string inverters with multiple independent MPPT trackers are configured to ensure maximum generation output.

On standard on-grid solar systems, inverters automatically shut down within milliseconds during a power cut for anti-islanding safety (protecting TANGEDCO lineworkers repairing the grid). If you require continuous electricity during power outages, IVR Energy installs Hybrid Solar systems with lithium battery backup.

Yes. Solar panels generate electricity on cloudy and rainy days by capturing diffused sunlight and ultraviolet spectrum radiation. While output drops to 15% to 35% of peak capacity during heavy rain, modern N-Type panels still produce meaningful units to offset household consumption.

At night, your home seamlessly draws power from the regular TANGEDCO grid as before. Because your daytime surplus solar generation was exported into the grid through net metering, you use up your banked energy credits at night, effectively paying zero or near-zero for nighttime power consumption.

While high sunlight intensity maximizes solar production, high ambient heat slightly reduces silicon solar cell voltage. IVR Energy installs N-Type TOPCon panels with an industry-leading low temperature coefficient (-0.30%/°C), resulting in up to 4% higher summer generation compared to conventional solar panels in 40°C+ Chennai weather.

Tier-1 N-Type TOPCon solar panels experience only ~1.0% degradation in the first year (with zero Light-Induced Degradation) and less than 0.40% linear degradation per year for the next 29 years. This guarantees that your solar system will still deliver over 87.4% of its original rated generation at Year 25.

Commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses benefit from: 1) Reducing high commercial electricity tariffs (₹8 to ₹12/unit) to an amortized solar cost of ₹2.20/unit, 2) 40% Accelerated Depreciation tax deduction in year one, 3) 18% GST input credit, and 4) Fulfilling corporate ESG and green supply chain mandates.

Under Section 32 of the Indian Income Tax Act, commercial businesses and corporations can claim 40% Accelerated Depreciation (AD) on the total capital cost of a commercial solar power plant in the first year of commissioning, significantly lowering taxable corporate profits and saving up to 30% in corporate tax.

Yes. Commercial and industrial facilities with a contracted load demand of 100 kW or higher can procure green solar power through Green Energy Open Access in Tamil Nadu. This allows businesses without adequate rooftop space to source cheap, reliable solar power from off-site solar farms.

Yes. IVR Energy integrates smart Solar-DG synchronization controllers that dynamically modulate solar inverter power to match active plant loads alongside running diesel generators. This prevents reverse power flow into the generator while reducing diesel fuel consumption by up to 60% to 75%.

Yes. For qualified commercial and industrial clients consuming 50 kW or more, IVR Energy provides OPEX/RESCO (Power Purchase Agreement - PPA) models. Under OPEX, the solar power plant is funded, installed, and maintained with zero upfront capital expenditure, and you only pay for the clean solar electricity consumed at a 20% to 40% discount to grid tariffs.

Yes. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, leading public and private banks—including SBI, Canara Bank, Union Bank, PNB, and HDFC—provide collateral-free rooftop solar loans up to ₹2,00,000 at a low concessional interest rate of approximately 7% per annum for up to 7 to 10 years.

The average payback period for a residential rooftop solar system in Chennai is 3.2 to 4.0 years with the PM Surya Ghar subsidy. After the payback period, the solar power plant generates 100% free green electricity for the remaining 21 to 26 years of its operating life.

For a 3 kW solar system with a net cost of approximately ₹1,12,000 after subsidy, the monthly bank EMI is around ₹1,400 to ₹1,700 for 7 years. Because the system eliminates a ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 bimonthly electricity bill, your total monthly utility expense decreases immediately from month one.

Yes. Properties equipped with commissioned rooftop solar systems and active TANGEDCO net metering command higher rental yields and up to 3% to 5% higher property valuations in Chennai. Prospective homebuyers and commercial tenants value buildings with near-zero ongoing electricity bills and green energy infrastructure.

Yes. Any GST-registered enterprise or commercial entity investing in an on-grid or captive solar power plant can claim 100% of the 18% GST charged on solar modules, inverters, and turnkey EPC services as an Input Tax Credit (ITC), immediately reducing tax cash outflows.

Rooftop solar panels in Chennai should be cleaned once every 15 to 30 days using plain water and a soft microfibre mop or squeegee. Regular cleaning removes airborne dust, soot, and bird droppings, restoring 5% to 15% of generation efficiency lost due to soiling.

Solar inverters require minimal maintenance beyond keeping ventilation heat sinks dust-free and verifying AC/DC surge protection devices (SPDs) every 6 to 12 months. All modern inverters installed by IVR Energy include built-in WiFi telemetry with automated smartphone alerts for faults or performance drops.

If a solar panel suffers physical damage from external impact, it can be quickly isolated and replaced individually without disrupting the rest of the solar array. For manufacturing defects or premature performance degradation, Tier-1 panels include a 25 to 30-year linear performance warranty, and IVR Energy provides complete liaison support for warranty claims and replacements.

Every IVR Energy rooftop solar system is equipped with an integrated smart cloud WiFi or 4G data logger. Through a user-friendly mobile app (available for Android & iOS), you can view live real-time generation, daily and monthly unit production (kWh), monetary electricity savings, and instant system health alerts from anywhere.

While rooftop solar power plants have zero moving parts and require little daily intervention beyond basic washing, an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) is recommended to ensure peak generation efficiency. IVR Energy offers preventive AMC plans covering bi-annual electrical inspections, earthing pit resistance tests, structural bolt re-torqueing, and infrared thermal imaging.