Tamil Nadu remains a high-potential state for rooftop solar adoption, but greater awareness and stronger policy support are needed to drive broader adoption, according to industry executives and experts speaking at RenewX 2026, an annual renewable energy summit here on Monday.
Industry meet highlights opportunities, challenges
The three-day conference offers industry experts an opportunity to engage on pressing opportunities and challenges facing the renewable energy sectors.
Speaking at a press briefing during the summit, P Sivakumar, President of Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA) and CEO of Shriram Solar, highlighted the need for better policy frameworks to drive rooftop adoption in the state.
“Certain issues with the portal and the DISCOM have hindered adoption. We have over 2.4 crore houses in Tamil Nadu and even if 10 per cent of those are eligible for central government rooftop solar subsidies, there should be 24 lakh installations. We are now only at around 1 lakh,” he said.
Industrial demand strong, but policy push needed
On industrial demand, Sivakumar said that states like Gujarat and Karnataka are doing better despite Tamil Nadu having better industrial demand and also receiving better solar radiation. “There needs to be more initiative from the government. If just the MSMEs in the state are are powered through solar, it will not only increase the capacity but also reduce the production costs,” he said.
Ground-mounted solar dominates capacity
Noushad S, Nodal Officer, Central Electricity Board suggested that majority of Tamil Nadu’s installed solar capacity comes from ground-mounted solar. “Tamil Nadu offers 100 units of free electricity as opposed to states like Kerala with no free electricity. This is obviously a contributing factor against rooftop solar, but not by much,” he said. He also flagged a shortage of in the number of active companies that develop and operate solar projects as an issue in the state’s solar ecosystem.
As of early 2026, Tamil Nadu has crossed 10 GW in installed solar capacity, with the state targeting an expansion to reach 20 GW by 2030. Shivakumar added that out of this, only about 15 per cent comes from commercial/industrial and rooftop solar, while the rest is generated through solar parks.
India-Australia cooperation in clean energy
Meanwhile, Silai Zaki, Australian Consul-General, Chennai, emphasised the Australian government’s intent to expand its renewable energy cooperation in India.
“Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Modi signed the elevated India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership in 2024. Clean energy continues to be a priority sector in our economic engagement with India. We are encouraging Australian industry players to increase skill-based cooperation with the Indian industry while also leveraging India’s manufacturing and scale,” she said.
Renewables to gain amid global disruptions
In terms of the impact of the war in West Asia, Neha Thomas, Associate Director – Economic Analytics, Frost & Sullivan, said the renewable industry should see tailwinds amid diversification following disruptions to the oil and gas supply chain. She added that the clean energy transition is now more embedded in bilateral trade agreements with the UK, the EU, and Chile.
Published on April 27, 2026