AVT ELECTRICALS & SOLAR SOLUTIONS

A solar rooftop system is a power generation system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building. It captures sunlight and converts it directly into electricity to power your home or business.

It's a simple process!
Sunlight Hits: Sunlight (made of particles called photons) hits the solar panels.
Energy is Created: The panels (made of semiconductor materials like silicon) absorb this energy, which knocks electrons loose.
Electricity Flows: This movement of electrons creates a Direct Current (DC) of electricity.
Power is Converted: This DC electricity flows to a device called an inverter, which converts it into Alternating Current (AC) – the same type of electricity you get from TNEB and use to power all your appliances.

The main benefit is a drastic reduction in your monthly electricity bills. You are generating your own free power instead of buying it from the grid. It also gives you energy security against rising TNEB tariffs and helps the environment.

Solar power is 100% clean and renewable. By using solar, you:
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: You are not burning any fossil fuels (like coal), which means you are not releasing harmful greenhouse gases.
Improve Air Quality: Solar power doesn't produce any air pollution.
Conserve Water: Traditional power plants use massive amounts of water for cooling; solar panels use none to generate power.

Your savings depend on your system size and your energy consumption. However, many of our residential customers in Chennai see their TNEB bills reduced by up to 90%. With a "Net Metering" connection, any extra electricity you generate is sent back to the grid, and you get credits for it, lowering your bill even further.

A high-quality solar panel system is a long-term investment. The solar panels themselves have a performance warranty of 25 to 30 years. The inverter, which is the hardworking "brain" of the system, typically has a warranty of 5-10 years and may need to be replaced once during the system's lifetime.

Yes, absolutely. Studies in India show that homes with solar installations are more desirable to buyers. They see the immediate benefit of lower monthly bills, making the home more valuable and easier to sell. It's seen as a premium upgrade, much like a new kitchen or better flooring.

These terms are often used interchangeably, even by professionals!
Solar Module: This technically refers to the single, pre-assembled unit (the "panel" you see) of solar cells wired together under glass.
Solar Panel: This is a broader term that can mean a single module or the entire system (e.g., "I'm installing solar panels on my roof").
For a customer, you can use either term, and we'll know exactly what you mean.

There are four main components:
Solar Panels (or Modules): To capture the sunlight.
Inverter: To convert DC electricity to usable AC electricity.
Mounting Structures: The strong, non-corrosive framework that holds the panels securely on your roof.
Cables & Safety Devices: High-quality wires, junction boxes, and safety switches (like AC/DC Combiner Boxes) to ensure the system runs safely and efficiently.

The cost depends on the size of the system (measured in kilowatts, or kW) and the quality of the components used. As a rough estimate, a good quality 1kW on-grid system can cost anywhere from ₹60,000 to ₹90,000. However, for a 3kW system, the price per kW is often lower. The best way to know the exact cost is to get a free site assessment from us.

The payback period in Chennai is typically very fast, often between 3 to 5 years. After this period, the electricity you generate is virtually free for the rest of the system's 25+ year life. Your ROI is often much higher (and safer) than a fixed deposit or many other financial investments.

We calculate the total system cost based on several factors:
System Size (kW): This is the biggest factor.
Component Quality: The brand and efficiency of solar panels and inverters.
Roof Type: A simple concrete roof is easier and cheaper to install on than complex sloped or sheet metal roofs.
Installation Complexity: This includes the length of wiring needed and any custom mounting.
When we give you a quote, it's an all-inclusive price.

Yes, many banks and financial institutions now offer easy "Solar Loans" or "Green Loans" specifically for rooftop solar. You can often pay for the system in easy monthly instalments (EMIs), and in many cases, your monthly savings on the TNEB bill will be equal to or even greater than your EMI payment!

The simplest way is to look at your current TNEB bill.
Units Consumed: See how many units (kWh) you consume per billing cycle.
Tariff Slab: See the tariff slab you fall into (the price per unit increases as your consumption goes up).
A solar system reduces the number of units you buy from TNEB, bringing you down to a much cheaper tariff slab, or even to a zero bill. We can do this exact calculation for you during our free consultation.

Your savings are mainly affected by:
Your TNEB Tariff: The higher your current bill, the more you save. Solar provides the biggest savings for high-consumption users.
System Performance: How much sunlight your roof gets and the quality of your installation.
Net Metering: Having a net meter to export your extra power gives you the maximum possible savings.

While panel technology is always improving, the major price drops have already happened. More importantly, the government subsidy schemes are for a limited time and are reducing over time. Any small price drop you might get by waiting a year will be lost by paying your high TNEB bills for that same year. The best time to install is now, to start saving immediately.

Absolutely not. At AVT Electricals & Solar Solutions, our proposal is all-inclusive. It covers the cost of all components (panels, inverter, structures), installation, all safety devices, wiring, and the application and processing fees for TNEB net metering. We believe in 100% transparency.

"Net Metering" is the system TANGEDCO uses for domestic (residential) connections. It works like this:
We replace your current TNEB meter with a new "bi-directional" or "net" meter.
This new meter records two things: the electricity you pull from the TNEB grid (at night) and the extra electricity your solar system pushes to the grid (during the day).
At the end of the billing cycle, TANGEDCO "nets" the two. You are only billed for the net amount of electricity you used.
If you generated more power than you used, the extra units (kWh) are credited and carried over to your next month's bill.

The subsidy comes from the central government under a single, nationwide scheme. As of 2025, the subsidy structure is:
₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW
₹18,000 for the third kW
The subsidy is capped at a total of ₹78,000 (for systems 3kW and larger).

Examples:
1kW System: ₹30,000 subsidy
2kW System: ₹60,000 subsidy (₹30,000 + ₹30,000)
3kW System: ₹78,000 subsidy (₹60,000 + ₹18,000)
5kW System: ₹78,000 subsidy (as it is capped at the 3kW amount)

To be eligible, you must meet these simple criteria:
You must be an Indian citizen.
You must own a residential house (not be a tenant).
You must have a valid domestic (residential) electricity connection in your name.
You must have a suitable rooftop for installation.
You must not have availed any other government solar subsidy in the past.

Yes, we guide you through the entire process from start to finish. It's all done online through a two-portal system:
National Portal: We first help you register on the official pmsuryaghar.gov.in portal. This is where you apply for the subsidy and get initial feasibility approval from TANGEDCO.
TANGEDCO Portal: Once the system is installed, we submit the completion report and apply for your net meter through TANGEDCO's own Unified Rooftop Solar Portal (USRP).

It's quite straightforward. We will help you gather:
Your most recent TNEB electricity bill.
Your Aadhaar Card (for identity and address proof).
A passport-sized photograph.
Proof of property ownership (like a property tax receipt).
Your bank account details (for the subsidy, which is transferred directly to you).

The approval to install the plant (feasibility approval) is usually quite fast, often within a week or two. The subsidy payment itself is processed at the very end. After your net meter is installed and the system is commissioned by TANGEDCO, a commissioning certificate is generated. Once we upload this to the portal, the subsidy is typically transferred directly to your bank account within 30 days.

This is the official name of the new 2024/2025 government subsidy scheme. It is the single program that provides the ₹78,000 (max) subsidy.
You benefit in two ways:
Direct Subsidy: A large, one-time payment (e.g., ₹78,000) sent directly to your bank account, which drastically reduces the initial cost of the system.
Bill Savings: By installing the system, you get the scheme's main benefit: free electricity. This means your TNEB bills will be reduced by up to 90% for the next 25+ years.

An On-Grid system is the most common and cost-effective type. It's connected directly to the TNEB grid.
How it works: It uses the solar power you generate first. If you need more power (like at night), it automatically pulls from the TNEB grid. If you generate extra power, it sends it to the grid, earning you credits on your bill (this is "Net Metering").
Is it right for you? Yes, this is the right choice for 99% of homes in Chennai. If your main goal is to reduce your TNEB bill to zero, this is the system for you.

An Off-Grid system is not connected to the TNEB grid. It is completely independent and relies 100% on solar panels and large battery banks to store power.
How it works: The panels charge the batteries during the day, and the batteries power your home at night.
When is it needed? Only for very remote locations (like farms or hill-side properties) where there is no TNEB connection available. It is much more expensive and less efficient than an on-grid system.

A Hybrid system is the "best of both worlds." It is an On-Grid system that also has a battery backup added to it.
How it works: It functions like a normal on-grid system, reducing your bill. But when a power cut happens, it automatically switches over to its battery to run your essential appliances (like lights, fans, and your modem).
Is it right for you? This is an excellent choice if your primary goal is reducing your bill, but you also want power backup for essential loads during TNEB power cuts.

This is the most important question! The answer depends entirely on your system type:
Standard On-Grid System: NO. During a power cut, a standard on-grid system automatically shuts down. This is a mandatory safety feature called "Anti-Islanding." It prevents your system from sending electricity back to the grid and potentially harming TNEB workers who are trying to fix the power line.
Hybrid or Off-Grid System: YES. Because these systems have batteries, they can safely disconnect from the grid and continue to power your home.

Pro: The only reason to add batteries (making your system "Hybrid") is to have power backup during a power cut.
Con: Batteries add a significant cost to the initial installation (often 40-60% more). They also have a shorter lifespan (typically 5-10 years) than the panels (25+ years) and will need to be replaced.
Our Recommendation: For most homes, we suggest starting with a "Hybrid-ready" inverter. This allows you to install a cost-effective on-grid system now and easily add batteries later if you feel you need them.

There are two main types:
Monocrystalline (Mono panels): These are made from a single, pure silicon crystal. They are black in colour and are the premium, high-efficiency option.
Polycrystalline (Poly panels): These are made from multiple silicon fragments melted together. They have a blue, speckled appearance and are the older, more budget-friendly option.

Monocrystalline panels are the clear winner for Chennai. The reason is heat tolerance. All solar panels lose a little efficiency as they get hotter.
Monocrystalline panels have a better "temperature coefficient," meaning they lose less power on a very hot Chennai afternoon.
Polycrystalline panels are more affected by high heat and will produce less power in the same conditions.
Monocrystalline panels also produce more power in the same amount of space (higher efficiency), making them the best long-term investment.

The inverter is the "brain" of your entire solar system. It's the most important piece of technology.
Its Job: Your solar panels generate Direct Current (DC) electricity, but your home and the TNEB grid use Alternating Current (AC) electricity. The inverter's main job is to convert DC to AC.
Why it's important: Without an inverter, the electricity from your panels is completely unusable. It also handles all the safety functions (like shutting down in a power cut) and manages the flow of power.

As a general rule of thumb, you need about 100 sq. ft. of shadow-free roof space per kilowatt (kW) of a solar system.
1kW System: Requires ~100 sq. ft.
3kW System: Requires ~300 sq. ft.
5kW System: Requires ~500 sq. ft.
Using higher-efficiency monocrystalline panels (which we recommend) is the best way to get the most power out of a limited space.

We can install on almost any type of roof!
Concrete (RCC) Roofs: These are the easiest and most common. We use "non-penetrating" mounts, which are heavy foundations that sit on your roof without any drilling, ensuring zero risk of leaks.
Metal Sheet Roofs: Also very common. We use specialised clamps that attach directly to the seams of the metal sheet, again, without drilling through the roof.
Tiled Roofs: These are more complex but still possible. We carefully remove a few tiles, attach the mounts directly to the rafters, and then re-install the tiles with waterproof flashing.
Asbestos Roofs: We generally avoid installing on old asbestos roofs as they are brittle, unsafe to work on, and can be a health hazard.

Yes, this is extremely important. Because we are in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is always in the southern part of the sky.
Ideal Direction: A south-facing roof is perfect. It gets the maximum, direct sunlight all day long.
Good Directions: East and West-facing roofs are also very good. An east-facing roof will generate more power in the morning, and a west-facing roof will generate more in the afternoon.
Avoid: A north-facing roof is the least desirable as it gets very little direct sunlight.

Yes, shade is the #1 enemy of solar power. Even a small shadow on just one part of a panel (from a water tank, a tree branch, or a neighbouring building) can significantly reduce the power output of the entire system.
This is the most important thing we check during our site survey. We will design the panel layout to be in the "shadow-free" area of your roof.

The process has two parts:
Paperwork & Approvals: This is often the longest part. Getting TNEB feasibility approval and sanction can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how busy the local TNEB office is.
Physical Installation: This part is very fast. Once we have the approvals and materials, our team can typically complete the full installation on your roof in just 1 to 2 days for a standard home system.
After installation, we apply for the net meter, which can take another 1-2 weeks for TNEB to come and install.

Yes, absolutely. We always conduct a detailed technical site survey before any work begins, and this service is 100% free and no-obligation. During the survey, we will:
Measure your available shadow-free roof space.
Check your roof's condition and orientation.
Analyse your TNEB electricity bill.
Give you a final, all-inclusive quote for the best possible system.

No, not when done by professionals. A key part of our job is to ensure your roof's integrity.
On concrete roofs, we use non-penetrating mounts, so there is no drilling into your roof slab at all, eliminating any risk of leaks.
On metal roofs, we use special clamps that grip the seams.
All our structures are designed to be storm-proof and are waterproofed using high-quality sealants at any connection point. We provide a workmanship warranty that covers this.

No. For a standard residential rooftop solar system, you do not need any permission from the Greater Chennai Corporation. The only approvals required are from TANGEDCO (TNEB) for the grid connection, subsidy, and net meter, all of which we handle for you.

No, they require very little. Solar systems have no moving parts, so they are extremely reliable. The main "maintenance" is just keeping the panels clean from dust and bird droppings, as this can block sunlight and reduce power generation.

How: The best way is to use a soft brush or a wiper with a long extension pole and plain water. Never use harsh detergents (as they can streak the glass) or a high-pressure jet (as it can damage the seals).
When: Always clean them early in the morning or late in the evening when the panels are cool. Spraying cold water on hot panels in the afternoon sun can cause thermal shock and crack the glass.
How Often: In a coastal and dusty city like Chennai, we recommend a quick cleaning once a month. A good rain during the monsoon will also do the job for you!

High-quality solar panels are extremely tough. They are built with strong, tempered glass to withstand hailstorms and common debris.
Minor Damage: A small crack might not stop the panel from working, but it can let moisture in over time, so it's important to get it checked.
Major Damage: If a panel is shattered, it will need to be replaced. This is a straightforward service, and we can isolate and replace the single damaged panel without affecting the rest of your system.

Yes. This is a critical part of our design. The panels themselves are certified to withstand very high wind speeds. More importantly, our mounting structures are built for Chennai's climate. They are made of corrosion-resistant aluminium or hot-dip galvanised iron and are designed to handle cyclonic wind speeds, ensuring your system stays firmly on your roof.

Your solar inverter comes with a built-in monitoring system. You can connect it to your home's Wi-Fi and track your system's performance in real-time through a mobile app. This app will show you:
How much electricity you are generating (live).
How much you have generated today, this month, and this year.
If there are any errors, the app will send you an alert.

Yes, we do. While systems are low-maintenance, an AMC gives you complete peace of mind. Our AMC package typically includes:
2-4 professional cleaning visits per year.
A complete technical inspection of your inverter, wiring, and mounting.
Priority support if any issues are detected.

A solar system comes with three separate warranties:
Solar Panel Warranty: This is split into two parts (see next question).
Inverter Warranty: This is the standard product warranty for the "brain" of the system, typically 5 to 10 years.
Workmanship Warranty: This is our warranty from AVT Electricals, covering the installation itself (mounting, wiring, etc.) for 1 to 5 years.

This is a great question. Both apply to your solar panels:
Product Warranty (10-12 years): This covers the panel itself against manufacturing defects. If the panel fails, rusts, or breaks due to a fault, the manufacturer will replace it.
Performance Warranty (25-30 years): This is a guarantee that the panel will still produce a certain percentage of its original power after 25 years (usually 80-85%). All panels degrade very slowly over time, and this warranty ensures they won't degrade faster than expected.

You just call us: AVT Electricals & Solar Solutions. You have one point of contact. We will diagnose the problem. If it's an installation issue, we'll fix it. If it's a product issue, we will manage the warranty claim with the manufacturer on your behalf.

Our relationship doesn't end after installation. We provide comprehensive after-sales support, including:
Helping you understand your new system and the monitoring app.
Managing all TNEB paperwork until your net meter is active.
Full support for any warranty claims.
Offering our optional AMC for long-term maintenance.

Because we are a local Chennai-based company that handles both electricals AND solar. This means we don't just bolt panels to your roof; we understand your home's entire electrical system. We ensure the installation is **100% safe, perfectly integrated, and built to last** for decades in our local climate.