Rooftop solar systems installed under Tamil Nadu’s Green School Scheme have reduced grid electricity consumption by an average of 46 percent per school, according to a recent impact study released on Monday. The findings highlight how renewable energy and passive cooling measures are helping schools lower costs while creating safer and more comfortable learning environments.
Programme Implementation and Scale
The Green School Scheme, implemented by the Department of Environment and Climate Change under the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission, aims to convert school campuses into “living laboratories” that promote climate awareness and sustainable behaviour. The programme is currently operational in 297 schools across multiple phases, with support from the UNEP Cool Coalition through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-funded BeCool Project.
The impact study, conducted by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, reviewed 97 schools from Phases 1 and 2 of the programme.
Integrated Sustainability Measures
Green Schools combine a range of sustainability practices, including rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, waste segregation, composting, and the creation of kitchen, medicinal, and fruit gardens. While climate education is the primary goal, the study also documented measurable gains in energy efficiency and resource management.
Reduction in Electricity Consumption
Analysis of electricity bills from 49 schools showed a sharp drop in monthly grid power use, from 607.7 kWh to 328 kWh per school, with annual savings estimated at 3,572 kWh, equivalent to roughly INR 26,000 per school. Solar generation added nearly 1,350 kWh annually, valued at around INR 4,700. At the Government Higher Secondary School in TN Palayam, Erode, bimonthly consumption fell from 325 units to 60 units, a 50–60 percent reduction.
Cooling Initiatives and Heat Reduction
Selected schools have also implemented a Cool Roof programme, with pilot projects in Chennai recording classroom temperature reductions of 3–4°C and ceiling surface drops of 4–5°C, improving indoor comfort during extreme heat.
Expert Insights
Chief Minister MK Stalin stated the programme seeks to build heat-resistant learning spaces while promoting climate justice. Balakrishna Pisupati, Country Head of UNEP India, noted that keeping classrooms cool supports better student learning and that simple, scalable solutions can make a meaningful difference.
The study emphasized that efficiency upgrades alongside solar adoption are necessary, particularly in schools with high electricity loads from borewell pumps and outdated equipment, to achieve deeper reductions in power use. About 13 percent of districts in Tamil Nadu remain highly vulnerable to heatwaves due to urbanisation and the Urban Heat Island Effect.
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