Praveen Kumar P.A.’s electricity bill is easy on his domestic budget. It is an almost nil power bill despite two electrical vehicles being in the picture. He has to thank the 8 kW solar roof unit he has installed on the terrace of his 13-unit apartment complex for the heart-warming number on the power bill.
In 2021, when Praveen purchased a flat in Velachery, he convinced the other owners to allow him to use the terrace space to install solar panels. It is an elevated structure so that the roof space is not wasted and also helps neighbours to use the space under the panel for drying clothes and for leisure activities.
Initially, the family went in for four kW, deciding they will increase the capacity when they invest in electric vehicles they added another four kW.
In November 2024, an electric scooter arrived, followed by an electric car in April 2025. With these arrivals, the solar unit was scaled up.
The 8 kW solar system generates 32 units a day ( kilo watt hours) and every billing cycle (once in two months) it generates close to 2000 units.
“My car when fully charged supports me for 500 km and takes 70 units per charge,” says the businessman who is in his early 30s.
“Our four-bedroom flat consumes 2,000 units on an average and going with the Government charge of ₹11 for anything above 1000 units I should be incurring a bi-monthly bill of ₹ 22,000,” he explains.
Since 2023, he pays a minimum amount of ₹800 for using solar (as per the rule that for every 100 per kW)
“That’s a fixed bill,” he says.
Praveen has more numbers to show that the ₹4 lakh investment he made in 2021 for the 8 kW solar plant is proving to be profitable.
“I covered the investment cost in three years. The best part of having a rooftop solar unit is that it has a life span of 25 years as there are no batteries to maintain and other components come with a warranty,” he adds.
Over the years, inspired by Praveen, six other families in the community have invested in rooftop solar units.
Published – November 15, 2025 10:06 am IST
