The Tamil Nadu Government on 20 October 2012 announced the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy 2012 with the plans to generate 1,000 MW of solar power every year from 2015, setting up of solar energy parks along with incentives for solar power producers and equipment manufacturers.
The state government with the aim to generate 3,000 MW of solar power by 2015, has also made rooftop solar panels mandatory for new buildings from the government and local bodies. Under the policy, the government will support domestic consumers who install solar panels on their buildings rooftop. Big industries and customers of high tension electricity should utilise a certain per cent of their power consumption from solar energy.
For solar power producers, the state government will offer facilities like net metering which would help them in connecting to the grid, exemption from power charges and power cut. The existing government buildings and local body buildings will have roof top solar panels installed in various steps. The street lights and drinking water distribution mechanisms will also be shifted to solar power managed in gradual steps.