📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Diego Delso
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Solar Panels Installed, Yet ₹800 Bills Persist: Fixed Charges Add ₹10 Crore Monthly Burden
✍️ bhaskarenglish.in
🗓 17 Aug 2026, 05:48 PM
👁 5
Despite widespread installation of solar panels, households continue to receive ₹800 electricity bills due to high fixed charges, adding an extra ₹10 crore burden each month for 1.37 million customers.
In a surprising turn, households across India that have installed solar panels are still receiving electricity bills of around ₹800 each month. The persistent high fixed charges, which remain unchanged even when solar-generated power is used, are the main culprit.
The fixed charge component of the bill, which is levied regardless of actual consumption, is driving the cost. Even with solar panels offsetting a significant portion of electricity usage, the fixed fee pushes the bill to ₹800.
According to recent data, this situation imposes an additional ₹10 crore burden on the state’s power board every month, affecting roughly 1.37 million customers. The cumulative cost is a significant strain on both consumers and the electricity distribution network.
The issue has prompted calls from consumer groups and some officials for a review of the fixed charge structure to ensure that solar adopters are not penalised by outdated billing practices.
The fixed charge component of the bill, which is levied regardless of actual consumption, is driving the cost. Even with solar panels offsetting a significant portion of electricity usage, the fixed fee pushes the bill to ₹800.
According to recent data, this situation imposes an additional ₹10 crore burden on the state’s power board every month, affecting roughly 1.37 million customers. The cumulative cost is a significant strain on both consumers and the electricity distribution network.
The issue has prompted calls from consumer groups and some officials for a review of the fixed charge structure to ensure that solar adopters are not penalised by outdated billing practices.