Tamil Nadu achieves new milestone in solar power generation and grid absorption

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu achieved a new milestone in harnessing solar power with 50.8 million units (Mu) of solar energy being absorbed into the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation's grid on Tuesday. The peak solar generation also recorded an all-time high of 7,276 megawatts (MW) on the same day. Previously, 49.3 Mu was the highest per-day absorption of solar power, while 6,731 MW was the peak solar power generation, both recorded on August 6 last year.Power generation from solar plants in the state, which slumped owing to the northeast monsoon, picked up again as dry weather with clear skies prevailed in most parts of the state. On Tuesday, solar power met about one-sixth of the total power consumption of the state, which stood at 345.68 Mu. The peak power demand hovered around 17,000 MW as pleasant weather in Chennai and in districts kept the power demand low.On Wednesday, solar power generation came down slightly and stood at 47.4 Mu, but TNPDCL officials said that electricity generation from solar plants would scale new heights in the coming days as dry weather would prevail with very little chances of rain. "As long as there is no rain forecast, we can anticipate good solar generation and field officers have been instructed to evacuate all the green power generated," added the official. With an installed capacity of 10,159.61 MW of solar power, Tamil Nadu stands fourth among states with the highest solar capacity after Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Compared to 2024, the state added an additional 2,000 MW to the solar installed capacity.