Free Electricity in Tamil Nadu Hinders Solar Power Adoption: Study

Imagine a state in India that gives away a lot of electricity for free or very cheaply.

A new study looked at why people there aren't putting up solar panels on their homes or farms as much as they could.

It turns out, because electricity is so cheap already, it's hard for solar panels, which cost money to set up, to seem like a good deal.

For farmers, a government program to help them get solar pumps isn't working because they're used to getting free electricity and don't want to start using meters that might lead to charges.

Even for homes, the cheap grid electricity makes it less attractive to install solar.

The study suggests that if the government wants more solar power, it needs to rethink how it gives out electricity and help people more directly to afford solar.