APSPDCL sees rooftop solar surge, generates 201 MWp power

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) has made significant progress in promoting rooftop solar power, with 78,250 installations generating nearly 201 Megawatt Peak (MWp) across its jurisdiction.

Solar adoption is rising across Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, and Sri Sathya Sai districts, as consumers turn to renewable energy to cut power bills and ensure sustainable consumption.

With increased use of fans, air coolers and air conditioners during summer pushing up electricity consumption, more households are opting for rooftop solar systems. APSPDCL has been stepping up efforts under the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to promote installations.

Consumers can install rooftop panels for self-use and export surplus power to the grid through net metering. “Applications must be submitted through the central portal. After approvals and installation by authorised agencies, subsidies are credited directly to consumers’ bank accounts,” said APSPDCL CMD Sivasankar Lotheti.

A 2 kW system costs around ₹1.5 lakh, with a central subsidy of ₹60,000. Subsidies of up to ₹78,000 are available for systems between 1 kW and 3 kW. Such a system can generate 200 to 300 units of electricity per month, depending on weather conditions.

APSPDCL is also focusing on SC and ST households, targeting 415 MWp capacity for 2.07 lakh consumers with usage below 200 units per month. So far, 46,049 installations with a capacity of 92.10 MWp have been completed for these beneficiaries.

In addition, 32,201 rooftop systems under the CAPEX model are generating 108.86 MWp for other consumers. Naravaripalle, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s native village, has emerged as a model ‘solar village’ with installations on every house.

In Kuppam constituency, 1,980 SC and ST households are generating 4.36 MW through rooftop solar systems. Officials said efforts are underway to expand installations among other sections, with emphasis on quality, safety, and consumer awareness on maintenance.