Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Kerala's Solar Success Faces Nighttime Power Challenge
Kerala is a leader in India for rooftop solar panel adoption, with many households using the PM Suryaghar Yojana to get free electricity and subsidies.
This has led to a lot of solar power being generated during the day.
However, most people in Kerala use more electricity at night, when the sun isn't shining.
This means the state has to buy more expensive power from the national grid to meet nighttime demand.
The extra solar power during the day can also cause problems for the electrical grid, like increasing voltage and potentially damaging appliances.
To fix this, Kerala is planning to install battery storage systems to save solar power for use at night.
Kerala ranks fourth in India for rooftop solar installed capacity under the PM Suryaghar Yojana.
The state's peak electricity demand is from 6 PM to 11 PM, primarily from domestic consumers.
Only 36% of solar power generated during the day is consumed then, with the rest exported to the grid.
At night, prosumers consume around 45% of the banked power, increasing demand during peak hours.
Kerala relies heavily on power purchases from the national market to meet its daily demand.
- Who
- Kerala residents and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB)
- What
- Kerala faces power supply issues despite high rooftop solar adoption due to mismatched energy consumption patterns.
- When
- The issue is ongoing, with data as of May 2026.
- Where
- Kerala, India
- Why
- Peak demand occurs at night when solar generation is minimal, leading to higher power purchases at peak rates.
Pro-Solar Adoption
Grid Management Concerns
Benefits of Rooftop Solar
Pro-Solar Adoption
Rooftop solar panels provide free electricity up to 300 units monthly and cash subsidies, reducing household electricity costs.
Grid Management Concerns
Excess solar power during the day increases grid voltage, risking damage to electrical appliances and transformers.
Energy Consumption Patterns
Pro-Solar Adoption
Solar energy adoption reduces dependence on traditional power sources, promoting renewable energy.
Grid Management Concerns
Peak demand occurs at night when solar generation is minimal, leading to higher power purchases at peak rates.
Grid Stability
Pro-Solar Adoption
Increased solar capacity helps meet renewable energy targets and reduces carbon footprint.
Grid Management Concerns
Excess solar power fed into the grid during low consumption hours destabilizes the grid and increases operational complexities.
- State
- Kerala
- Total Solar Capacity
- 2,508 MW
- Rooftop Solar Capacity
- 2,036 MW
- PM Surya Ghar Installations
- 2.96 lakh
- Households Covered
- 3,03,531
- Solar Power Share
- More than 50% of total installed capacity
- Peak Demand Hours
- 6 PM to 11 PM
- Daily Power Consumption
- 88.45 million units
- Domestic Generation
- 15 million units (hydel, wind, solar)
- Power Purchases
- 73.41 million units from national market