Tamil Nadu is one of India’s best states for rooftop solar. With 5.2–5.8 kWh/m²/day of solar irradiation — higher than Delhi, comparable to Rajasthan in many zones — Tamil Nadu homeowners generate more electricity per kW installed than most of the country. TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation) is the state’s primary DISCOM (Distribution Company) and handles PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana applications for residential consumers across Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tirunelveli, and everywhere in between. This guide covers every step of the TANGEDCO PM Suryaghar process, the frequently misunderstood 9-digit consumer number format, TEDA’s role as the state nodal agency, and our proprietary Tamil Nadu Solar ROI Map with city-specific payback estimates.
Key takeaway. PM Suryaghar subsidy for TANGEDCO Tamil Nadu consumers is ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW, and ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above from MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy). TANGEDCO feasibility approval takes 15–25 working days. Your consumer number is exactly 9 digits (numeric only) — not the service connection number. TEDA (Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency) is the state nodal agency coordinating the scheme.
Tamil Nadu’s domestic tariff runs from ₹2.25/kWh at the lowest slab to ₹6.00/kWh for higher consumers. High-consumption households save the most from solar. Let’s break it all down.
What Is TANGEDCO and How Does It Handle PM Suryaghar?
TANGEDCO stands for Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited. Formed in 2010 from the former TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board), TANGEDCO is responsible for both power generation and distribution across the entire state. Unlike Delhi — which splits service across BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, and TPDDL — Tamil Nadu has one primary distribution entity for residential consumers: TANGEDCO.
This means the PM Suryaghar application process in Tamil Nadu is relatively simple on the DISCOM identification side. Every Tamil Nadu homeowner applies through the same TANGEDCO channel on pmsuryaghar.gov.in. No need to figure out which of three DISCOMs serves your area.
TEDA — the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency — is the State Nodal Agency (SNA) under PM Suryaghar. TEDA manages installer empanelment at the state level, tracks the application pipeline, and interfaces with MNRE for subsidy disbursement. You’ll encounter TEDA’s name throughout the application process. The TEDA website at teda.in maintains the state-level empanelled vendor list and state solar news.
For the national PM Suryaghar framework, our PM Suryaghar complete guide covers eligibility, subsidy amounts, and general process. This post focuses on what’s specific — and commonly misunderstood — in Tamil Nadu.
📘 Regulation note
TANGEDCO's net metering policy is governed by TNERC (Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission) regulations. The current net metering framework allows systems up to 1 MW for LT consumers, with export credits at the prevailing TANGEDCO grid purchase rate. Check the latest TNERC orders for the current export tariff.
Tamil Nadu Solar Numbers: Your Generation Baseline
Tamil Nadu’s solar irradiation is consistently strong. The southern districts — Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar — receive up to 5.8 kWh/m²/day, some of the highest in peninsular India. Even Chennai, with coastal humidity, averages 5.2–5.4 kWh/m²/day.
Tamil Nadu’s subsidised low-slab tariff — ₹2.25–₹3.00/kWh for the first 100–200 units — means low consumers see limited solar savings. But households consuming 300+ units/month, where TANGEDCO tariff reaches ₹5.00–₹6.00/kWh, find excellent economics. Air-conditioning users in Chennai and Coimbatore, consuming 400–600 units/month, typically cut their bills by 60–70% with a 3 kW system.
The TANGEDCO Consumer Number: Getting It Right
The most common mistake in Tamil Nadu PM Suryaghar applications is using the wrong number. TANGEDCO issues multiple identifiers; here is the key difference:
| Number Type | Format | Digits | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Number | Numeric only | 9 digits | PM Suryaghar portal — use this one |
| Service Connection Number | Alphanumeric (e.g. 049-3-123456-78) | 11+ characters with hyphens | TANGEDCO billing references |
| Meter Number | Numeric | 6–8 digits | Meter box only |
Your 9-digit consumer number appears on your TANGEDCO bill under the label “Consumer No.” or “CA No.” It contains no hyphens or letters — purely numeric. The service connection number looks superficially similar but contains hyphens and area codes; do not use it on the PM Suryaghar portal.
When you enter an incorrect identifier, the portal either rejects the entry or silently fetches wrong account data — causing a name mismatch that takes 2–3 weeks to correct.
⚠️ Watch out
Before starting your PM Suryaghar application, locate your 9-digit TANGEDCO consumer number on your latest bill. If the format is unclear, log into TANGEDCO's e-seva portal at tangedco.gov.in or visit your nearest TANGEDCO section office to confirm the exact 9-digit number.
PM Suryaghar TANGEDCO Application: Step-by-Step
The PM Suryaghar application in Tamil Nadu follows the national framework with TANGEDCO-specific timelines:
-
Register on pmsuryaghar.gov.in — visit pmsuryaghar.gov.in, click “Apply for Rooftop Solar”, select State: Tamil Nadu, DISCOM: TANGEDCO. Enter your 9-digit consumer number and complete OTP verification.
-
Fill the application form — enter proposed system capacity (1 kW, 2 kW, or 3 kW+), roof area in square metres, and applicant details. The name must match your Aadhaar exactly.
-
Upload documents — upload your Aadhaar, latest TANGEDCO bill, property document, and bank account proof. See the complete document list in §6.
-
TANGEDCO feasibility review — TANGEDCO engineers check your transformer’s available capacity, your existing sanctioned load, and technical suitability. Tamil Nadu feasibility takes 15–25 working days — longer than Gujarat (7–12 days) due to TANGEDCO’s large consumer base. Track status on the portal with your application ID.
-
Receive feasibility approval — the portal updates to “Feasibility Approved.” Only now should you finalise your installer and schedule installation.
-
Installation by TEDA/MNRE-empanelled vendor — the installer must be empanelled under TEDA and MNRE. Unempanelled vendors make the system ineligible for subsidy.
-
Apply for net metering — after installation, submit the net meter application through the portal with your installer’s commissioning report.
-
TANGEDCO inspection — TANGEDCO engineers inspect the installation within 15–25 working days. They verify panel capacity, inverter, earthing, DCDB and ACDB compliance, and cable routing.
-
Net meter installation — upon successful inspection, TANGEDCO installs the bidirectional net metering meter and issues a commissioning certificate.
-
Subsidy DBT — MNRE processes the subsidy and transfers it to your bank account within 30–45 days of commissioning. No separate subsidy application is needed.
Curious about your Tamil Nadu solar savings? Use our free solar calculator — subsidy plus savings estimate in 60 seconds.
The Tamil Nadu Solar ROI Map
This is Heaven Green Energy’s proprietary framework for Tamil Nadu homeowners. Generic payback numbers mean little when Tamil Nadu’s irradiation and tariff vary by city and consumption band. The Tamil Nadu Solar ROI Map gives city-specific estimates from our installation data.
How to use the map: Find your city. Check your TANGEDCO bill for your average monthly consumption. Use the corresponding row to estimate monthly savings and payback years for a 3 kW post-subsidy system (net cost approximately ₹90,000–₹1,10,000 after ₹78,000 subsidy).
| City | Avg Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | 3 kW Monthly Generation (kWh) | Applicable Tariff at 300+ units | Monthly Saving (3 kW) | Payback (post-subsidy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 5.2–5.4 | 390–405 | ₹4.50–₹5.50/kWh | ₹1,755–₹2,228 | 4–5 years |
| Coimbatore | 5.4–5.6 | 405–420 | ₹4.50–₹5.50/kWh | ₹1,823–₹2,310 | 4–5 years |
| Madurai | 5.5–5.7 | 413–428 | ₹4.50–₹5.50/kWh | ₹1,858–₹2,354 | 3.5–4.5 years |
| Salem | 5.3–5.5 | 398–413 | ₹4.50–₹5.50/kWh | ₹1,790–₹2,271 | 4–5 years |
| Tirunelveli | 5.6–5.8 | 420–435 | ₹4.50–₹5.50/kWh | ₹1,890–₹2,393 | 3.5–4.5 years |
| High-consumption household (any city, 600+ units/month) | — | — | ₹5.50–₹6.00/kWh | ₹2,228–₹2,520 | 3–4 years |
Source: MNRE irradiation data 2026; TANGEDCO tariff schedule 2026; Heaven Green Energy installation data.
Key finding: Madurai and Tirunelveli consumers benefit most — high irradiation plus meaningful tariff at 300+ unit slabs gives the shortest payback. Chennai consumers with air-conditioning use (400–600 units/month) see near-identical savings to Madurai. For detailed ROI methodology, see our solar payback period explained guide.
💰 Real numbers
A family in Coimbatore consuming 450 units/month installs 3 kW. Generation: 415 kWh/month. At ₹5/kWh blended tariff, monthly saving is ₹2,075. Annual saving: ₹24,900. Net post-subsidy cost: ₹95,000. Payback: 3.8 years. Then 20+ more years of near-zero bills.
Documents Required for TANGEDCO PM Suryaghar
Prepare these before starting your online application. Any missing document causes a 2–3 week re-submission delay:
| Document | Details | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | Self-attested copy | Name must exactly match TANGEDCO bill |
| Latest TANGEDCO electricity bill | Original or digital | Must clearly show 9-digit consumer number |
| Property document | Registered sale deed, patta, or society allotment letter | Patta accepted for revenue land in TN |
| Bank account details | Cancelled cheque or passbook copy | Aadhaar-seeded account recommended for DBT |
| Passport-size photograph | Recent JPEG/PNG | For portal upload |
| Mobile number | Aadhaar-registered mobile | For OTP verification |
Tamil Nadu property proof specifics: For urban areas, a registered sale deed is standard. For semi-urban and rural properties, a patta (revenue record) is accepted. For joint family properties, a certified extract from the sub-registrar or an affidavit from all co-owners is needed. Society allotment letters work for housing society flats.
For the subsidy DBT transfer, your bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded. If it isn’t, visit your bank and link Aadhaar — it takes 3–5 working days. Don’t leave this to the last step; a missing Aadhaar-bank link is the most common reason for subsidy transfer delay.
Subsidy Amounts and TANGEDCO Tariff Context
PM Suryaghar subsidy amounts are uniform across India, funded by the central MNRE:
| System Size | PM Suryaghar Subsidy | Approx. Installed Cost (before subsidy) | Net Cost After Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ₹30,000 | ₹60,000–₹70,000 | ₹30,000–₹40,000 |
| 2 kW | ₹60,000 | ₹1,10,000–₹1,30,000 | ₹50,000–₹70,000 |
| 3 kW | ₹78,000 | ₹1,65,000–₹1,90,000 | ₹87,000–₹1,12,000 |
| 4–10 kW | ₹78,000 (capped) | ₹2,05,000–₹4,80,000 | ₹1,27,000–₹4,02,000 |
Source: MNRE benchmark cost data, 2026.
As of 2026, Tamil Nadu does not offer a state-level top-up solar subsidy for residential consumers on top of the central PM Suryaghar amount. The central subsidy is the primary financial benefit. Tamil Nadu does operate solar schemes for agricultural consumers under PM-KUSUM.
TANGEDCO’s subsidised domestic tariff structure means low-consumption consumers (under 200 units/month) see limited bill savings from solar — the tariff is already very low in their slab. For higher consumers paying ₹5.00–₹6.00/kWh, solar is highly cost-effective. Check the solar subsidy landscape at the official MNRE site mnre.gov.in.
State Comparison: TANGEDCO vs Other DISCOMs
How does Tamil Nadu’s PM Suryaghar process compare with other major states?
| Feature | Tamil Nadu (TANGEDCO) | Gujarat (UGVCL/DGVCL) | Maharashtra (MSEDCL) | Delhi (BSES) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feasibility timeline | 15–25 working days | 7–12 working days | 15–20 working days | 12–20 working days |
| Inspection timeline | 15–25 working days | 7–12 working days | 15–20 working days | 12–20 working days |
| Consumer number format | 9 digits (numeric) | 10–12 digits | 11 digits | 10 digits |
| State nodal agency | TEDA | GEDA | MEDA | DEDA |
| State top-up subsidy | None | None | None | None |
| Irradiation | 5.2–5.8 kWh/m²/day | 5.5–6.0 kWh/m²/day | 4.5–5.5 kWh/m²/day | 5.0–5.5 kWh/m²/day |
Source: MNRE, 2026; Heaven Green Energy application processing data.
Verdict. Tamil Nadu’s 15–25 day timeline is the main friction compared to Gujarat’s faster process. But Tamil Nadu’s irradiation advantage over Maharashtra and Delhi partially compensates. Get your 9-digit consumer number correct and documents complete upfront — that single action saves the most time.
How Heaven Green Energy Helps Tamil Nadu Consumers
Heaven Green Energy is an MNRE-approved channel partner with 10,000+ installations across India. Our team handles PM Suryaghar applications end-to-end for Tamil Nadu homeowners — verifying your 9-digit TANGEDCO consumer number, preparing documents, coordinating TANGEDCO inspection, and following up on DBT disbursement.
We understand TEDA empanelment requirements and TANGEDCO’s specific inspection protocols. Our how to choose a solar installer guide explains what to check in any EPC company before signing a contract.
Our full service range:
- Residential Solar — 1–10 kW rooftop systems with PM Suryaghar subsidy handled end-to-end.
- Commercial Solar — 10–100 kW for offices, shops, and SMEs with TNERC net metering compliance.
- Solar Calculator — estimate your Tamil Nadu savings and subsidy in 60 seconds.
- About Heaven Green Energy — 10,000+ installations, MNRE empanelled, 25-city network.
Get a free site visit. Our engineer visits in 24 hours, sends a custom proposal in 48 hours — no cost, no obligation. Get your free quote →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TANGEDCO consumer number format for PM Suryaghar?
Your TANGEDCO consumer number is a 9-digit purely numeric identifier. It appears on your TANGEDCO electricity bill under “Consumer No.” or “CA No.” Do not use the service connection number (which contains hyphens and area codes) or the meter number. The PM Suryaghar portal requires the exact 9-digit consumer number to link your application to your TANGEDCO account correctly.
How long does TANGEDCO PM Suryaghar approval take?
TANGEDCO feasibility review takes 15–25 working days after document submission — longer than Gujarat’s 7–12 days but similar to Maharashtra. After installation, TANGEDCO inspection takes another 15–25 working days. Net meter installation follows. Total timeline from application to subsidy DBT: approximately 90–120 days when documents are complete and error-free.
What is TEDA and why does it matter for Tamil Nadu solar?
TEDA stands for Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency. It is the State Nodal Agency (SNA) for PM Suryaghar in Tamil Nadu. TEDA manages installer empanelment at the state level, tracks state-level application data, and coordinates with MNRE for subsidy disbursement. Any solar installer doing PM Suryaghar work in Tamil Nadu must be TEDA/MNRE-empanelled. Visit teda.in for TEDA’s current empanelled vendor list.
Does Tamil Nadu offer any additional state subsidy on top of PM Suryaghar?
As of 2026, Tamil Nadu does not offer a state-level cash subsidy on top of the central PM Suryaghar subsidy. The PM Suryaghar central subsidy (₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW, ₹78,000 for 3 kW+) is the primary financial benefit for residential consumers. Tamil Nadu government operates separate solar schemes for agricultural consumers under PM-KUSUM.
Is PM Suryaghar available in all parts of Tamil Nadu?
Yes. PM Suryaghar is available across Tamil Nadu wherever TANGEDCO supplies electricity — which covers the vast majority of the state including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tirunelveli, Trichy, Vellore, and rural areas. Very small pockets served by cooperative electric supply societies follow slightly different processes but are eligible under the same scheme.
What happens to my TANGEDCO bill after solar installation?
After net meter installation, your bill reflects net consumption — grid imports minus solar exports. In months where your solar system generates more than you consume, the surplus is credited and carried forward to the next bill cycle. Tamil Nadu’s TNERC net metering framework allows credit carry-forward, which is particularly valuable in peak-generation summer months when solar output is highest.
How do I track my TANGEDCO PM Suryaghar application status?
Log into pmsuryaghar.gov.in with your registered mobile number. The portal dashboard shows your current application stage: Submitted, Under Review, Feasibility Approved, Inspection Pending, Net Meter Installed, or Subsidy Disbursed. For escalation, contact TANGEDCO’s section office in your area or TEDA’s helpline.
Can I apply for PM Suryaghar for a commercial or rental property in Tamil Nadu?
The PM Suryaghar residential subsidy applies to domestic LT electricity connections only. The applicant must be the property owner. Tenants cannot claim the residential subsidy. Commercial properties are not eligible for PM Suryaghar residential subsidy, but commercial solar installations qualify for Accelerated Depreciation (AD) tax benefits and other TANGEDCO net metering provisions. See our commercial solar page for commercial options.
