Briefing Note: Distributed Solar

Energy Potential Mapping for

Tamil Nadu
Date: May 2025

Introduction Key Findings

This briefing note presents an assessment • Tamil Nadu’s electricity demand is projected to increase
of the distributed solar energy potential from 129.73 TWh in 2024–25 to 249.58 TWh by 2034–35,
in Tamil Nadu. Drawing on secondary reflecting a 92% growth in 10 years.
data from the STAAI portal and CSTEP, • Tamil Nadu’s total solar Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
it quantifies the electricity generation
potential is estimated at 1,29,166 MW, including 60,479 MW
capacity of distributed solar technologies
and compares these estimates against of Rooftop Solar (RTS) potential. However, as of April 2025,
projected electricity demand. The only 0.78% of the total DER potential and 1.66% of the RTS
objective is to highlight the scale of potential have been realized.
untapped potential and examine its • Full-scale deployment of DER could generate 203.67 TWh
implications for electricity supply planning annually, sufficient to meet 100% of the projected electricity
and policy targets. demand for 2030–31 and 82% of the demand for 2034–35.
• Full-scale deployment of RTS could generate 95.40 TWh
annually, covering 47% of the projected demand for 2030–31
and 38% for 2034–35.
• The planned addition of 18,400 MW of solar capacity from
2024–25 and 2034–35, even if allocated to solar DER
applications, it would meet only 14.25% of the total solar DER
potential. If entirely allocated to RTS, it would cover around
30% of the RTS potential. This leaves a significant share of
the state’s solar potential untapped.

Background
Tamil Nadu is among India’s leading states in solar energy
deployment, with a total installed solar capacity of 10,309.77 MW
Author: Rahul Patel as of April 2025 (MNRE, 2025). The Tamil Nadu Solar Energy
Reviewers: Frano D’Silva, Martin Scherfler, Policy, 2019, set an overall target of 9,000 MW of installed solar
Santhosh Velu, capacity by 2023, of which 40% (3,600 MW) was earmarked for
Designer: Vimal Bhojraj the consumer category, including distributed generation, rooftop
Auroville Consulting solar (RTS), and other small-scale systems (Government of Tamil
Nadu, 2019). The state met the overall target by 2024, but failed
Suggested Citation: Auroville Consulting. to meet the target set for the consumer category.
(2025). Distributed Solar Energy Potential
Mapping for Tamil Nadu.
As of April 2025, installed RTS capacity in Tamil Nadu stands
Avaliable at: https://www.
aurovilleconsulting.com/distributed-solar- at 1,003.30 MW (MNRE, 2025), accounting for only 1.66% of
energy-potential-tamil-nadu/ the state’s estimated RTS potential of 60,475 MW (CSTEP,
2024). This installed RTS capacity represents only 27.87% of

1 Briefing note: Distributed Solar Energy Potential Mapping for Tamil Nadu
 the 3,600 MW target and accounts for less than estimated by multiplying the installed capacity potential
10% of the state’s total installed solar capacity. (MW) by 8,760 hours and applying a capacity utilization
factor (CUF) of 18%. Tamil Nadu’s average annual per
At the national level, the Government of India has set capita electricity consumption was 1,792 kWh as of
a target to install 40,000 MW from grid-connected RTS March 2024 (TNPDCL, 2025). This analysis assumes
projects by 2026 (MNRE, 2022). However, as of April the full deployment of all solar DER and RTS capacity,
2025, total RTS installations across India stood at and electricity demand estimates are based on per
17,688.44 MW, achieving only 44% of the target. capita consumption without disaggregating by sector.
The integration of distributed energy resource (DER)
To understand the potential impact of solar DER
systems, such as RTS, offers a range of benefits at
application, including RTS, this analysis compares their
both the network and societal levels. At network level,
generation potential with Tamil Nadu’s total electricity
DER systems help utilities reduce expenditures by
generation and its fossil fuel-based generation
minimising investments in generation, transmission,
and distribution infrastructure. This results in
measurable benefits in the form of avoided cost of Results
energy (ACE), avoided distribution capacity costs Based on the projected 2024 population of
(ADCC), avoided transmission capacity costs (ATCC), approximately 77.09 million (GOI, 2020), Tamil Nadu’s
and avoided generation capacity costs (AGCC). This solar DER potential translates to 1.68 kW of capacity
improves overall grid efficiency and reduces the need per person. With an assumed CUF of 18%, this equates
for expensive infrastructure investments (Auroville to an annual generation potential of 2,642 kWh per
Consulting 2022, 2023). person. This indicates that, under full deployment,
solar DER alone could meet and exceed the state’s
At the societal level, DER deployment such as RTS,
current per capita electricity consumption of 1,792 kWh
generates important co-benefits, including emissions
per year (TNPDCL, 2025). However, with only 0.78%
reduction (Auroville Consulting 2022, 2023) - helping
of this potential realized as of April 2025 primarily
in the climate mitigation journey, job creation across
through RTS only, it reflects a substantial unrealized
the renewable energy value chain, and direct financial
opportunity in solar DER adoption.
savings for consumers through lower electricity bills.
Additionally, DER systems contribute to enhancing Generation Potential: Assuming a CUF of 18%, the
climate resilience by reducing reliance on centralized theoretical annual electricity generation potential is
power infrastructure, improving energy access during approximately 203.67 TWh for DER and 95.4 TWh for
extreme weather events, and enabling faster recovery RTS under full deployment scenarios.
in disaster-prone areas. These factors underscore the
critical importance of accelerating DER deployment to Electricity Generation: In 2024–25, Tamil Nadu
meet capacity targets and maximize both economic generated 129.73 TWh of electricity from all sources,
and social returns. including coal, oil, gas, hydro, wind, and solar (ICED,
2025). To meet the rising demand, this generation will
increase substantially, with projections indicating a
Methodology demand of 203.59 TWh by 2030–31 and 249.58 TWh
This study is based on secondary data sourced by 2034–35 (CEA, 2025) reflecting a growth of 92%
from publicly available platforms. The datasets for in 10 years. Under these projections, Tamil Nadu’s
energy generation potential were obtained from the solar DER generation potential could meet nearly
Solar Technology Assessment and Adoption India 100% of the projected demand for 2030–31 and 82%
(STAAI) portal, developed by the Center for Study of the projected demand for 2034–35. Similarly full
of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) (STAAI deployment of RTS could meet 47% of the projected
portal, n.d). The CSTEP methodology integrates electricity demand for 2030–31 and 38% of the
geospatial analysis, shading assessment, and solar projected demand for 2034–35.
radiation modelling to identify usable rooftop areas to
estimate energy generation potential for RTS. Similar Tamil Nadu has planned a solar capacity addition of
assessment methods have been applied to estimate 18,400 MW between 2024–25 and 2034–35 (CEA,
the potential of other DER applications available on 2025). Hypothetically, if this entire addition were
the STAAI portal, including canal-top photovoltaics allocated to a solar DER system, it would meet 14.25%
(CTPV), floating photovoltaics (FPV), rail-integrated of the total solar DER potential and 30.42% of the RTS
photovoltaics (Rail PV), road-integrated photovoltaics potential. This leaves a significant share of the state’s
(Road PV), building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), solar potential untapped, which could otherwise play
and urban photovoltaics (UPV). a critical role in meeting the state’s rising electricity
demand.
According to CSTEP’s estimates, the potential for solar
DER in Tamil Nadu is estimated to be 1,29,166 MW, Thermal Power Generation (Coal, Oil & Gas): In 2024–
including the potential for RTS, which is estimated to 25, electricity generation from fossil fuel sources in
be 60,475 MW (STAAI portal, n.d). These estimates Tamil Nadu totalled 74.22 TWh, comprising 72.60 TWh
include disaggregated data at the district level. from coal and 1.62 TWh from oil and gas (ICED, 2025).
The state can match this by deploying 37% of its total
The annual generation potential (in MWh) was solar DER potential or 78% of its RTS potential.

Briefing note: Distributed Solar Energy Potential Mapping for Tamil Nadu 2
Table 1: Summary of DER Potential and Deployment in solar DER systems, 85.75% of solar DER potential and
Tamil Nadu. Source: STAAI portal 70% of RTS potential would remain unutilized. The
state has yet to meaningfully capitalize on this available
potential to meet its growing electricity demand.
Potential Installed Installed Capacity
Application Type
(MW) (MW) (% of Potential)
In this context, the deployment of DER, including RTS
Rooftop Solar (RTS) 60,479 1,003.30 1.66%
and other distributed renewable energy technologies,
Canal top photovoltaics (CTPV) 6,735 0 0.00% will be critical to sustainably bridge the supply-demand
Floating photovoltaics (FPV) 5,114 0 0.00% of the state. District-level potential of different solar
DER technologies highlights opportunities for targeted
Rail integrated photovoltaics (Rail PV) 4,997 0 0.00%
interventions to accelerate the adoption of other solar
Road integrated photovoltaics (ROAD PV) 5,473 0 0.00% DER applications beyond RTS. Unlocking this potential
Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) 25,751 0 0.00% will require a diversified deployment strategy, supported
Urban photovoltaics (UPV) 20,617 0 0.00%
by enabling policy measures, targeted investments,
and strengthened institutional frameworks. Integrating
Total 1,29,166 1,003.30 0.78%
multiple DER technologies alongside RTS will be critical
to achieving Tamil Nadu’s clean energy transition and
decarbonisation goals effectively and sustainably.
Recommendation
The findings of this analysis underscore the need
to reorient Tamil Nadu’s approach to solar energy References
planning towards the deployment of solar DER. The 1. Auroville Consulting (2019). Distributed Renewable
following recommendations are proposed to support Energy Generation in Tamil Nadu – Creating an
Enabling Environment for DREG. https://www.
this transition:
aurovilleconsulting.com/dreg-report/ (Accessed on 9
May 2025).
Update Policy Targets: Current solar targets in Tamil 2. Auroville Consulting (2023). Maximising the Benefits
Nadu do not reflect the full scale of distributed potential. of Distributed Solar Energy: An Evaluation. Available
With state electricity demand projected to increase at: https://www.aurovilleconsulting.com/maximising-
by approximately 92% over the next decade, policy the-benefits-of-distributed-solar-energy-an-evaluation/
targets should be updated to reflect the complete DER (Accessed on 9 May 2025).
spectrum, supported by integrated planning. 3. Auroville Consulting (2022). Solva Methodology
Documentation. Available at: https://backend.solva.in/
Integrate Battery Storage with DER Deployment: methodology-documentation/pdf (Accessed on 9 May
2025).
Distributed solar systems alone cannot ensure reliable
4. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) (2025). Resource
power across all hours. Integrating Battery Energy
adequacy plan for Tamil Nadu up to 2034–35. Ministry
Storage Systems (BESS) alongside DER is important of Power, Government of India. https://cea.nic.in/
to ensure that electricity is available when it is most wp-content/uploads/resource_adequacy_st/2025/01/
needed, rather than only when it is generated. Many Resource_Adequacy_Plan_for_Tamil_Nadu_Up_
studies recommend incorporating storage planning in to_2034_35.pdf ( Accessed on 9 May 2025)
solar DER expansion. 5. CSTEP (2024). How well is India tapping its rooftop
solar potential? Available at: https://cstep.in/
Expand Deployment to Non-RTS DER Applications: publications-details.php?id=2867 (Accessed on 9 May
Although Tamil Nadu’s 2019 policy included various 2025).
6. CSTEP. Solar Technology Assessment and Adoption
small-scale solar systems within the consumer
India (STAAI) Platform. Available at: https://staai.cstep.
category, in practice, deployment has remained limited
in/staai/#/report (Accessed on 9 May 2025).
to RTS. Other distributed solar applications- such 7. Government of India (GOI) (2020). Population
as floating, canal-top, rail- and road-integrated, and Projections for India and States 2011–2036: Report of
BIPV- represent 53% of the state’s total DER potential, the Technical Group on Population Projections. Ministry
yet remain almost entirely untapped. Integrating of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Available at:
DER planning into public infrastructure projects https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Population%20
and municipal development plans can unlock this Projection%20Report%202011-2036%20-%20upload_
overlooked segment. compressed_0.pdf (Accessed on 9 May 2025).
8. Government of Tamil Nadu. Area and Population of
Districts – Census 2011. Available at: https://www.
Conclusion tn.gov.in/deptst/areaandpopulation.pdf (Accessed on 9
Tamil Nadu’s electricity demand is expected to May 2025).
nearly double by 2034–35, reaching 249.58 TWh, 9. Government of Tamil Nadu (2019). Tamil Nadu Solar
yet deployment of solar DER remains critically low Energy Policy. Available at: https://tidco.com/wp-
at just 0.78% of its potential. While the state’s solar content/uploads/2020/04/tamil-nadu-solar-policy-2019-
DER potential is sufficient to meet its entire projected min.pdf (Accessed on 7 May 2025).
demand for 2030–31 and 82% of the demand for 2034– 10. India Climate and Energy Dashboard (ICED). Power
35, current progress falls far short of this opportunity. Generation Statistics. Available at: https://iced.niti.
RTS is the primary focus, but only 1.66% of the RTS gov.in/energy/electricity/generation/power-generation
(Accessed on 9 May 2025).
potential has been realized. Even with the planned
addition of 18,400 MW of solar capacity if met through

3 Briefing note: Distributed Solar Energy Potential Mapping for Tamil Nadu
 11. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) (2022). 13. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) (2025).
Extension of Phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar State-wise Installed Capacity of Renewable Power as
programme. Available at: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas. on 30.04.2025. Available at: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.
gov.in/s3716e1b8c6cd17b771da77391355749f3/ gov.in/s3716e1b8c6cd17b771da77391355749f3/
uploads/2023/10/202310051549377365.pdf (Accessed uploads/2025/05/202505081659296923.pdf (Accessed
on 9 May 2025) 15 May 2025).
12. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). 14. Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited
Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop Programme. Available (TNPDCL). TNPDCL Profile. Available at: https://www.
at: https://mnre.gov.in/en/grid-connected-solar-rooftop- tnpdcl.org/en/tnpdcl/about-us/tnpdcl-profile/ (Accessed
programme/ (Accessed on 9 May 2025). on 9 May 2025).

Annexure
Table 2: District wise DER potential of Tamil Nadu. Source: STAAI portal

CTPV Potential FPV Potential RAIL PV Potential ROAD PV Po- BIPV Potential UPV Potential RTS Potential Total solar DER
District
(MW) (MW) (MW) tential (MW) (MW) (MW) (MW) Potential (MW)

Tiruppur 854 108 105 223 2,038 1,356 5,942 10,626

Kanchipuram 495 336 304 318 2,766 2,351 3,275 9,845

Tiruvallur 412 550 463 202 2,790 1,864 2,298 8,579

Coimbatore 130 206 225 201 2,594 2,093 2,548 7,997

Salem 134 1,446 320 304 1,403 1,157 3,121 7,885

Erode 885 27 151 144 1,119 649 3,859 6,834

Vellore 158 9 275 170 1,129 1,023 3,012 5,776

Tiruchirappalli 633 4 292 267 957 963 2,072 5,188

Cuddalore 342 424 218 230 633 966 2,057 4,870

Tirunelveli 260 230 225 193 795 848 2,029 4,580

Madurai 402 0 159 298 929 705 1,839 4,332

Chennai 23 0 383 1 2,628 651 341 4,027

Villupuram 111 4 232 361 257 297 2,510 3,772

Thanjavur 300 0 124 150 456 614 2,088 3,732

Namakkal 87 0 61 156 541 385 2,399 3,629

Krishnagiri 14 100 88 193 321 264 2,394 3,374

Kanyakumari 344 455 53 81 647 954 839 3,373

Dindigul 77 57 217 281 478 362 1,800 3,272

Tuticorin 120 5 185 242 654 620 1,256 3,082

Karur 237 3 105 173 339 256 1,945 3,058

Tiruvannamalai 133 119 79 121 282 235 1,985 2,954

Dharmapuri 0 603 70 105 121 107 1,552 2,558

Pudukkottai 86 9 70 132 137 147 1,849 2,430

Virudhunagar 0 0 79 95 478 389 1,312 2,353

Sivaganga 34 8 91 153 243 308 1,058 1,895

Nagapattinam 190 0 96 109 140 196 1,122 1,853

Ramanathapuram 50 0 73 154 161 197 911 1,546

Teni 22 130 24 123 352 202 589 1,442

Thiruvarur 23 0 88 33 111 180 827 1,262

Ariyalur 159 11 96 67 62 61 794 1,250

Nilgiri 20 270 28 84 142 182 432 1,158

Perambalur 0 0 18 109 48 35 424 634

Tamil Nadu 6,735 5,114 4,997 5,473 25,751 20,617 60,479 1,29,166

Note: This analysis uses data from the STAAI portal which considers 32 districts in Tamil Nadu. Although the state now comprises 38 districts,
the additional districts were carved out from the original 32. Accordingly, population data, demand estimates, and DER potential assessments
are based on aggregated figures corresponding to the earlier administrative boundaries, effectively covering the newly formed districts.

Briefing note: Distributed Solar Energy Potential Mapping for Tamil Nadu 4