Rooftop solar in Tirupati: the local rules
Tirupati Urban and Tirupati Rural mandals make up the Tirupati revenue division of Tirupati district. Electricity here is supplied by APSPDCL, Operation Circle, Tirupati, and tariffs are set by APERC's retail supply tariff order for FY 2026-27, dated 25 March 2026, which applies from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
For homes
- PM Surya Ghar: central support of ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the third, up to ₹78,000 per home. The scheme runs until 31 March 2027 (MNRE scheme guidelines, as of 23 Sep 2026). Read the subsidy guide.
- Single-phase homes: under an APERC order of 5 August 2026, a home with a single-phase connection and a connected load up to 5 kW can install a rooftop plant of up to 5 kW.
- Billing: in the FY 2026-27 tariff order, APERC rejected the DISCOMs' proposal to move rooftop solar consumers off telescopic billing, so the existing telescopic billing stays in place for them.
- Apartments: housing societies and RWAs can get support for common facilities. See solar for apartments and RWAs.
For businesses
- Tariff category: most factories are billed under Category III(A) Industry (General), and shops and offices generally under Category II(A) Commercial. Your bill shows your category.
- Plant size: the plant is limited to your contracted load or demand. Net metering is available from 1 kW to 500 kW, net billing up to 1,000 kW and gross metering up to 5,000 kW.
- Application fee to APSPDCL: nil up to 5 kWp, ₹1,000 above 5 and up to 100 kWp, and ₹10,000 above 100 and up to 1,000 kWp.
- Industrial areas nearby: Renigunta and Gajulamandyam, Satyavedu and Srikalahasti.
How approval works
- Apply to APSPDCL on the AP DISCOMs' website, at a MeeSeva centre or on the national rooftop solar portal.
- APSPDCL checks technical feasibility: within 7 working days on LT and 15 working days on 11 kV or 33 kV.
- Sign the net-metering agreement within 4 months of feasibility approval, then install the plant.
- APSPDCL inspects within 10 working days of the completion report and synchronises the plant within 7 working days after that. Larger plants also need an Electrical Inspectorate inspection before commissioning.
These limits come from the regulation; real cases can take longer. We prepare and file the paperwork with you.
Sources (checked 23 Sep 2026):
Tirupati district mandals;
APSPDCL operation circles (Ms.No.3916, 01.11.2024);
APERC tariff order FY 2026-27;
APERC Regulation No. 10 of 2025;
APERC Regulation No. 4 of 2023;
APERC order of 05.08.2026;
MNRE PM Surya Ghar guidelines.
Rules and tariffs change; check the latest orders before you rely on them.
