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					</table>Lucknow is emerging as a commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) clean energy market, supported by rooftop solar adoption, planned Solar City development, and rising electricity demand from commercial facilities and data centers.
As of April 15, Lucknow had become India’s leading district for residential rooftop solar installations, overtaking Surat.
Lucknow is among the municipal corporations identified for development as Solar Cities under the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022. The policy targets 22 GW of solar capacity by 2026-27 and provides incentives for renewable energy adoption. Standalone solar projects above 5 MW are <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uttar-pradesh-potential-solar-open-access-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eligible</a> for exemptions from intrastate transmission and wheeling charges, while projects supplying power for captive consumption or third-party sale are eligible for a 50% exemption.
Solar projects in Lucknow are also exemp<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uttar-pradesh-potential-solar-open-access-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">t</a> from electricity duty for 10 years.
Uttar Pradesh<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-added-6-6-gw-of-rooftop-solar-capacity-in-1h-2026?" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> led</a> rooftop solar capacity additions in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, accounting for 18% of India’s total additions. The state also recorded the second-highest compounded quarterly growth rate of 23% from Q2 2025 to Q2 2026.
Rising industrial activity and electricity demand could encourage C&amp;I consumers to explore rooftop solar, captive and open access renewables, and energy storage. Uttar Pradesh met a record peak power demand of 32,348 MW, exceeding Maharashtra’s previous peak of 32,317 MW recorded on May 13, 2026.
Qualifying captive renewable energy consumption is exempt from the cross-subsidy surcharge. The state’s regulations also provide a framework for metering and accounting for rooftop solar generation and electricity exports.
Lucknow could see further electricity demand growth as Uttar Pradesh expands its data center ecosystem. The state government plans to develop data center clusters in Lucknow and other cities.
The Uttar Pradesh Data Center Policy 2026 targets 2 GW of capacity and investments exceeding ₹2 trillion ($21.06 billion). It also offers incentives for data centers that meet specified renewable energy consumption thresholds.
Mercom India will host the second edition of the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a> in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucknow</a> on October 9, 2026, bringing together C&amp;I consumers and clean energy stakeholders to discuss renewable energy options and procurement strategies.
The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency and will focus on ways businesses can reduce electricity costs through renewable energy.
Registration will run from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by the inaugural session from 10:35 AM to 10:55 AM.
The first panel session, titled “Harnessing the Green Route to Reducing Electricity Bills,” will feature Ashad Mofiz, Marketing &amp; Communications Lead at <a href="https://rpsgsolvanta.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RPSG Solvanta</a>, Rahul Makahaniya, Chief Marketing Officer at <a href="https://soleosenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soleos Energy</a>, and Saurabh Sharma, Founder &amp; CEO at <a href="https://umangotsolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Umangot Solar</a>.
Makahaniya will also share industry insights in the following session, titled “Switching to Renewable Energy and Optimizing Savings,” along with Chirayyu Jain, Head of Development at <a href="https://hfmsolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HFM Solar</a>.
A 15-minute networking tea break will follow the session.
The final panel discussion, titled “Attractive Financing Options &#8211; Easy and Affordable Green Loans,” will feature Syed Farman Imam, AGM at <a href="https://www.sidbi.in/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIDBI</a>, and Rohit Kumar, Chief Manager at <a href="https://bankofmaharashtra.bank.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank of Maharashtra</a>.
The event will conclude with a networking lunch from 1:40 PM to 2:45 PM.
Register for the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow/brochure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">event</a> here.
The next event will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-pune" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Pune on November 27, 2026.

Lucknow’s Rooftop Solar, Data Center Growth Could Drive C&I Clean Energy

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					</table>Commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) units investing in renewable energy projects have access to a growing range of bank financing options, including green loans with concessional interest rates, longer repayment periods, and collateral-free funding for eligible borrowers.
Banking industry representatives said that the access to favorable financing depends on a business’s financial track record, project cash flows, promoter credibility, and realistic implementation timelines.
Green Financing Options
Kameshwar Rao, AGM at Small Industries Development Bank of India (<a href="https://www.sidbi.in/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIDBI</a>), said the bank has dedicated products for clean energy and sustainability projects, including rooftop solar, energy efficient equipment, and waste management projects.
SIDBI provides collateral-free financing of up to ₹150 million (~$1.56 million) under one of its financing products for brownfield projects. Eligible borrowers must have been operating for at least three years and demonstrate cash profits, Goods and Services Tax (GST) compliance, and a steady loan repayment track record. Financing above ₹150 million (~$1.56 million) may require collateral depending on the borrower&#8217;s financial and other parameters.
The repayment period can extend up to 10 years, including a moratorium of up to 18 months.
Rao said interest rates are determined through an internal rating system that considers borrower, project, and market-specific factors. GST compliance, statutory obligations, and previous repayment records are also considered while determining rates.
For qualifying brownfield proposals of up to ₹150 million, SIDBI can complete the approval process within five working days, provided borrowers meet the specified parameters. The documentation process can also be completed digitally.
M Phanindra, Chief Manager &amp; Branch Head at <a href="https://bankofmaharashtra.bank.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank of Maharashtra</a>, said the bank offers multiple financing options for renewable energy projects. Lending terms depend on the borrower’s internal credit rating, collateral availability, and repayment history.
The bank can structure loans using a combination of collateral and Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) guarantee cover, depending on its assessment of the borrower. For borrowers with stronger internal ratings, the bank can finance up to 80% of the project cost, with the borrower contributing the remaining 20%.
Proposals above ₹100 million (~$1.04 million) may also qualify for MSME financing, subject to the applicable turnover and investment criteria. Equipment finance can cover eligible requirements, including machinery and project installation.
For MSMEs, green financing rates depend on the borrower’s CIBIL MSME Rank (CMR) and collateral support. Phanindra said rates for a CMR-1 borrower can start at around 8.35% with collateral and around 8.9% without collateral, while rates for lower-rated borrowers can reach about 13.35%.
Financial Discipline
Bank executives emphasized the importance of accurate financial and GST records, which give lenders greater visibility into a borrower&#8217;s transactions and financial position. Banks assess turnover, repayment history, existing banking relationships, and other financial parameters when evaluating proposals.
Phanindra noted lenders also assess the promoter’s ability and commitment to execute the project, along with the selection of credible vendors.
A strong financial track record alone may therefore not be sufficient. Vendor selection and the promoter&#8217;s ability to execute the project on schedule can also influence financing decisions.
Project Timelines
Rao identified delays in obtaining project approvals as a major challenge for solar project developers and their lenders.
Developers may initially expect projects to be implemented within six to eight months but subsequently seek extensions to the moratorium when approvals are delayed. Such extensions can create challenges for lenders because they are subject to regulatory requirements and may affect loan classification.
Rao recommended developers factor potential approval delays into implementation schedules rather than base financing plans on aggressive commissioning assumptions. More realistic timelines can help align project cash flows with repayment obligations.
Rao also cautioned businesses against developing renewable energy projects solely to access government incentives, emphasizing that the underlying investment must remain commercially viable.
“It is an investment. It is not an expense,” he said, adding that renewable energy projects can generate savings and improve cash flows.
Banks can also provide for some execution uncertainty while structuring loans. Rao said lenders may include contingencies of around 10% to help promoters manage unexpected costs or project delays.
These insights were shared by speakers during a session ‘Attractive Financing Options: Easy and Affordable Loans’ at Mercom India’s C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet held in Visakhapatnam recently.
Mercom India hosts C&amp;I Clean Energy events in different cities across India to help businesses understand and address challenges associated with renewable energy adoption, including technology selection, financing, project economics, and execution. The next C&amp;I event will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Lucknow on October 9, 2026.

Businesses Gain Wider Access to Bank Financing for Renewable Energy Projects

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					</table>Uttar Pradesh’s clean energy market is increasingly being shaped by rooftop solar, open access, captive procurement, and emerging storage demand as businesses look for ways to manage electricity costs, improve reliability, and meet sustainability targets.
Uttar Pradesh had 12.9 GW of renewable energy capacity as of June 2026. Open access projects account for 30.7% of Uttar Pradesh’s total installed solar capacity, while rooftop installations account for another 37.4%. Together, the two segments represent 68.1% of the state’s solar capacity.
Against this backdrop, Mercom India will host two industry events in Lucknow to connect companies across the renewable energy supply chain with businesses evaluating clean energy procurement.
On October 8, 2026, Mercom will host the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/re-buyer-seller-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RE Buyer Seller Meet</a>, where manufacturers and solution providers can engage with EPC companies, installers, dealers, distributors, developers, and other companies involved in renewable energy procurement and project execution. Participants can present products and technologies, discuss procurement requirements, identify channel partners, and develop business relationships.
On October 9, 2026, Mercom India will host the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a>, designed specifically for commercial and industrial energy (C&amp;I) consumers. The event will connect C&amp;I businesses with clean energy developers, solution providers, financiers, technology companies, consultants, and other stakeholders to evaluate rooftop solar, open access, captive power, energy storage, financing, and other clean energy options.
C&amp;I Demand Expands
C&amp;I consumers are becoming an increasingly important source of solar demand in Uttar Pradesh.
Food processing units and cold storage facilities are among the segments seeing increased adoption of C&amp;I rooftop solar in Central Uttar Pradesh. These businesses typically have substantial daytime electricity requirements, creating a use case for on-site solar generation.
Residential installations under the PM Surya Ghar program continue to account for a large part of rooftop demand, while these commercial segments are emerging as additional sources of demand. Improved distribution company support for net metering, connectivity, inspections, and approvals has also reduced some execution challenges.
At the larger end of the market, industrial expansion and data center development are expected to create additional renewable electricity demand.
According to Durgesh Kumar Gupta, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development, Regulatory, and Corporate Affairs at Onward Solar, Uttar Pradesh has become relatively more supportive of renewable energy development, with improved regulatory processes, land availability, consumer demand, and government support for captive and group captive projects. A captive renewable energy project is also under development in the state, where the project environment has been relatively supportive. Growing investment activity, including development linked to the state’s data center policy, is further strengthening demand for renewable power.
Businesses are evaluating rooftop solar, open access, captive and group captive renewable power, and other procurement structures as they assess electricity costs and long-term energy requirements.
Revised Green Energy Open Access provisions are providing greater procedural clarity for C&amp;I consumers considering renewable power procurement.
An open access developer said the revised framework has reduced some compliance requirements and provided greater clarity on application and State Load Despatch Centre registration fees. Removing the mandatory check meter requirement at voltage levels up to 650 V can reduce metering requirements and shorten project execution timelines.
Clearer application and registration provisions provide greater certainty for Green Energy Open Access Consumers managing multiple consumers under a common arrangement. However, minimum fees can increase initial administrative costs for smaller consumers, while fresh applications and applicable fees for changing the green energy source can reduce procurement flexibility.
Captive and group captive structures are also gaining relevance for industrial consumers, requiring careful planning around ownership, consumption, and compliance requirements.
Gupta said captive verification directly affects captive status, electricity savings, open access economics, surcharge liability, and overall project viability. Increasing adoption of renewable energy, battery storage, and group captive structures makes alignment between project design, ownership structures, consumption requirements, and regulations increasingly important.
Changes to the captive verification framework also bring energy storage systems within the captive consumption structure, increasing their relevance for renewable energy plus storage and hybrid captive arrangements.
Storage Gains Relevance
Energy storage is beginning to find a place in Uttar Pradesh’s rooftop and C&amp;I clean energy market as consumers seek backup power, greater energy independence, and improved reliability.
A rooftop solar installer in the state said battery storage demand is gradually increasing, with the suitability and size of storage depending on power outage duration, electricity consumption patterns, and available solar generation. Conventional on-grid rooftop systems can be less suitable for consumers experiencing longer power cuts, creating a use case for battery storage and hybrid configurations.
Higher costs remain an important consideration. However, hybrid systems can serve consumers requiring solar generation combined with backup power.
Another Uttar Pradesh installer said hybrid rooftop solar and storage systems are gaining gradual acceptance as consumers become more aware of backup requirements and energy independence. Hybrid systems and inverter solutions are seeing growing acceptance, and storage integration could become a larger component of rooftop installations.
Gupta said renewable energy procurement is increasingly shifting toward solar-wind hybrid, solar-plus-storage, and solar-wind-storage configurations as consumers seek a more reliable, longer-duration clean power supply. Battery storage can extend renewable electricity availability beyond variable generation periods, although adding storage reduces some of the historical cost advantage of renewable power over conventional electricity.
The widening range of applications creates opportunities for battery manufacturers, hybrid inverter suppliers, energy management companies, system integrators, and EPC firms.
Quality and Execution Become More Important
Rapid expansion of the rooftop solar market has increased competition among installers. A large vendor base has intensified pricing pressure and contributed to variations in system pricing, which can affect equipment selection, engineering, installation standards, and inspection practices.
A rooftop solar installer said intensifying competition among vendors is creating significant variations in system prices. Cost-sensitive projects can receive limited inspections, while poorly installed mounting structures can increase operational risks.
Another installer said inverter and balance-of-system failures often stem from incorrect system design, unsuitable equipment selection, and poor installation practices. The growing participation of inexperienced installers increases the risk of projects being executed without adequate technical assessment, affecting system reliability and long-term performance.
Reliable rooftop solar systems require appropriate AC and DC sizing, cable selection based on current requirements, proper earthing, and accurate system configuration. Cable sizing and electrical calculations become particularly important for larger C&amp;I rooftop projects because incorrect component selection can directly affect system performance and reliability.
These challenges increase the importance of reliable equipment, technical support, experienced EPC partners, and after-sales services.

Rooftop Solar, Open Access Shape Uttar Pradesh’s Growing Clean Energy Market

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					</table>Uttar Pradesh is steadily tapping the commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) renewable energy market with policy initiatives focused on regulatory simplification and continued investments in grid infrastructure. Fuelled by expanding industrial demand, the state has positioned itself as a high-potential market for utility-scale solar and open access segments.
During the second quarter (Q2) of financial year 2026, Uttar Pradesh commissioned 345.9 MW of solar capacity, ranking it sixth among states in utility-scale solar capacity additions. Open access projects contributed 67.6% of these additions, driven by increasing C&amp;I demand from industries such as cement, steel, manufacturing, and other energy-intensive sectors seeking lower power costs and greater energy price visibility.
With 7.2 GW of solar projects under development, the state has a vast pool of opportunities. At the same time, challenges around land availability, transmission connectivity, project approvals, banking flexibility, and grid reliability often deter developers and contractors from exploring such opportunities.
Mercom India&#8217;s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/re-buyer-seller-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucknow Renewable Energy Buyer Seller Meet</a> and <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a> are scheduled for October 8 and 9 in Lucknow, respectively, and aim to bring renewable energy developers, EPC players, and energy consumers together to share insights on procurement models, technologies, policy, and financing.
Policy Push
As of June 2026, Uttar Pradesh’s cumulative renewable energy capacity rose to 12.9 GW, up 18.5% quarter-over-quarter from 10.9 GW. Accounting for 17.2% of the state’s total installed power capacity, solar capacity reached 7 GW.
Its open access market continues to expand, with cumulative solar open access capacity reaching 2.3 GW in June 2026, accounting for 6.2% of India’s total solar open access capacity.
The figures paint a promising picture of the state’s renewable energy plans, supported by a series of regulatory changes in recent years.
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission&#8217;s (UPERC) decision to revise the Green Energy Open Access regulations has paved the way for fewer compliance requirements and improved cost transparency for consumers. Eliminating the mandatory requirement for check meters at voltage levels up to 650 V can lower upfront metering costs and shorten project execution timelines, while allowing consumers to opt for additional metering support when needed.
In 2026, UPERC proposed a new State Grid Code covering renewable energy, energy storage systems (ESS), captive plants, and open access consumers. Key provisions included a renewable energy trial run and commercial operation date (COD) requirements, State Load Despatch Center forecasting, must-run status for solar and wind, formal curtailment procedures, and integrating renewable capacity plans into transmission planning.
The proposed grid code is expected to improve renewable energy integration by creating a more structured framework for solar, wind, hybrid projects, ESS, captive plants, and open access consumers. Features like trial runs and COD requirements can improve project commissioning discipline and provide greater regulatory certainty for developers.
The state recently rolled out the Data Center Policy, 2026, which targets 50% renewable energy consumption by new data centers by 2030. The policy offers data centers a 75% exemption on wheeling and transmission charges for 25 years for power sourced from renewable energy projects within the state.
While significant data center capacity is yet to come up in the state, companies have announced plans to set up units that require uninterrupted clean energy in cities such as Lucknow and Noida. The state’s policy initiatives can make long-term renewable power procurement more attractive for large data center consumers, support greater demand for captive and third-party open access projects, and improve visibility for developers looking to build renewable capacity around large C&amp;I loads.
Open Access Potential
Uttar Pradesh is emerging as an attractive open access market, supported by regulatory simplification, expanding industrial demand, and continued investment in grid infrastructure.
For C&amp;I consumers in the state, the economics of renewable open access is supported by the lowering of wheeling charges, although transmission charges have increased.
For FY 2026-27, C&amp;I electricity tariffs remained unchanged across voltage levels. Wheeling charges declined by 6.7%, from ₹0.999 (~$0.0104)/kWh to ₹0.93 (~$0.0097)/kWh, while transmission charges increased by 15%, from ₹0.27 (~$0.0028)/kWh to ₹0.31 (~$0.0032)/kWh. Cross-subsidy surcharges declined by 2–3% for HV-1 commercial consumers and remained unchanged for HV-2 large and heavy power consumers.
The market is already seeing increased renewable energy adoption by C&amp;I businesses: Uttar Pradesh added 233.8 MW of solar open access capacity in Q2 2026. The revised Green Energy Open Access metering provisions have reduced compliance requirements, while ongoing transmission expansion is supporting connectivity and evacuation.
However, banking flexibility, connectivity costs, approvals, and grid charges remain important considerations. The state has been making efforts to ease such concerns with policy measures. For instance, the state offers 100% stamp duty exemption on land used for solar projects and parks, along with an interest subsidy of up to 5% per year for five years on loans for plant and machinery.
Shift Towards Energy Storage
As the C&amp;I sector explores opportunities in the state, their procurement strategies are shifting toward storage-backed renewable power, with multiple Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects receiving regulatory approval. Uttar Pradesh is gradually building a vertically integrated renewable ecosystem, with investments moving beyond solar deployment toward solar component manufacturing, BESS, and grid infrastructure. Its solar-plus-battery storage pipeline includes 860 MW under development projects.
For C&amp;I consumers, navigating these challenges requires handholding by experts on policy, technology, financing, project economics, and execution. Mercom India’s events in Lucknow are carefully curated to help renewable energy sellers and buyers make the right choices to lower electricity costs and make their operations more sustainable.

Uttar Pradesh’s Growing C&I Demand Opens New Renewable Energy Opportunities

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					</table>Visakhapatnam is emerging as an important clean energy and industrial hub in Andhra Pradesh, supported by investments in solar energy, energy storage, data centers, and transmission infrastructure.
The growing renewable energy ecosystem is creating new opportunities for commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) consumers to reduce electricity costs, improve energy resilience, and meet sustainability goals.
However, businesses must navigate an increasingly complex procurement and regulatory landscape spanning rooftop solar, open access, captive and group captive models, storage, and hybrid solutions.
Mercom India will host the fifth edition of its <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet series</a> in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-vizag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visakhapatnam</a> on September 24, 2026, bringing together large power consumers, clean energy solution providers, financiers, and other industry stakeholders to discuss evolving clean energy procurement strategies.
The event will be held at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Devee Grand Bay, Visakhapatnam.
The event will focus on these emerging opportunities and challenges, including the impact of time-of-day tariffs, financing, open access and wheeling charges, equipment costs, sourcing requirements, and evolving regulations on project economics and procurement decisions.
It will also explore how businesses can move beyond standalone solar toward integrated clean energy solutions that provide reliable power while optimizing costs.
Registration will run from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by the inaugural session from 10:35 AM to 10:55 AM.
The first session, titled “Harnessing the Green Route to Reducing Electricity Bills,” will feature Seshagiri Meka, Managing Director at <a href="https://www.winsolindia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winsol Cleantech</a>. The discussion will explore the various avenues available to commercial and industrial consumers for procuring renewable energy. The session will be held from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM.
The next session, “Switching to Renewable Energy and Optimizing Savings,” will be held from 11:45 AM to 12:35 PM. Rahul Makahaniya, Chief Marketing Officer at <a href="https://soleosenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soleos Energy</a>, and Yogish HN, Chief Revenue Officer at <a href="https://enerparc.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Enerparc</a>, will discuss the potential savings C&amp;I consumers can achieve through different renewable energy procurement options.
A 15-minute networking tea break will follow the session.
The final session of the day, “Attractive Financing Options – Easy and Affordable Green Loans,” will be held from 12:50 PM to 1:35 PM and will feature Kameshwara Rao, AGM at <a href="https://www.sidbi.in/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIDBI</a>, and M Phanindra, Chief Manager and Branch Head at <a href="https://bankofmaharashtra.bank.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank of Maharashtra</a>. The session will focus on financing options available to businesses looking to adopt clean energy solutions.
A networking lunch will follow from 1:35 PM to 2:40 PM, after which the event will conclude with an interactive Q&amp;A session from 2:40 PM onwards.
Register for the event <a href="https://hub.mercomindia.com/f/_L0gpaA9aKbOGw3K" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
The next event will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Lucknow on October 9, 2026.

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