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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>Andhra Pradesh’s commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) renewable energy market is entering a new phase, as regulatory changes, a growing open access project pipeline, and rising demand from energy-intensive industries create new opportunities for renewable energy procurement.
The state has 5.14 GW of open access projects in the pipeline, including solar-wind projects with pumped storage, solar-wind hybrid projects, and standalone solar projects.
However, Andhra Pradesh&#8217;s open access market remains relatively underdeveloped. Open access accounts for only around 18% of the state&#8217;s cumulative large-scale solar capacity, indicating considerable room for expansion.
At the same time, renewable energy procurement is becoming more complex. Higher network charges, time-of-day (ToD) tariffs, evolving green energy open access regulations, and the growing role of hybrid and storage-backed projects are changing how businesses evaluate their power procurement strategies.
These market dynamics will be central to discussions at Mercom India&#8217;s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-vizag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vizag C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet 2026</a>, on September 24, 2026. Designed as a focused, closed-door forum, the Meet will connect pre-qualified C&amp;I consumers with a select group of renewable energy solution providers and financiers for direct discussions around energy requirements, project economics, and potential projects.
Policy Framework Evolves
Andhra Pradesh has set ambitious clean energy targets, including 78.5 GW of solar, 35 GW of wind, 22 GW of pumped storage, and 25 GWh of battery energy storage. The state is also targeting 20 GW of solar manufacturing capacity across the value chain, 5,000 MWh of battery manufacturing capacity, and 3,000 MW of electrolyzer manufacturing capacity.
Renewables already account for more than half of Andhra Pradesh&#8217;s installed power capacity. At the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, the state had 31.7 GW of installed power capacity, with renewables accounting for 54.7%.
The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://aperc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">APERC</a>) has also been updating the regulatory framework governing green energy open access (GEOA). The second amendment to the GEOA regulations clarifies the treatment of hybrid projects, including non-co-located renewable projects, along with scheduling, metering, and settlement provisions.
APERC has also released its Resource Adequacy Regulations, 2026. The framework is expected to shift procurement toward longer-term planning and increase the role of storage, hybrid projects, and firm renewable energy as DISCOMs plan for rising demand and peak power requirements.
For the C&amp;I consumers, these changes expand procurement options while making project evaluation more nuanced.
ToD tariffs are also changing the economics of conventional rooftop solar, as savings during solar-generation hours must increasingly be weighed against higher peak-period electricity costs.
As procurement becomes more complex, businesses will increasingly need solutions tailored to their load profiles, operating requirements, and cost objectives rather than standardized renewable energy offerings. This creates opportunities for developers, technology providers, and financiers that can structure the right mix of rooftop solar, open access, hybrid, storage, and financing.
For C&amp;I consumers, navigating these choices requires answers across policy, technology, financing, project economics, and execution. The <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-vizag/agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vizag C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a> brings these conversations together in one focused forum, allowing businesses to raise their specific concerns and evaluate potential solutions within a few hours.
For solution providers, the opportunity goes beyond presenting their offerings. Hearing directly from multiple consumers about their energy costs, load requirements, procurement constraints, financing concerns, and implementation challenges can help identify genuine project opportunities and the solutions needed to address them.
Open Access Economics Remain Critical
For C&amp;I consumers, the economic case for switching from grid supply to renewable open access depends heavily on network charges.
While retail electricity tariffs for C&amp;I consumers remained unchanged for FY 2026-27, wheeling charges increased substantially.
At 11 kV, wheeling charges for both APSPDCL and APEPDCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-retains-existing-power-tariffs-for-fy-2027" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> by 26.6%. At 33 kV, they increased by 23.7%. Transmission charges increased by 3.9%.
Cross-subsidy surcharges also vary by consumer category, voltage level, and distribution company, adding another variable to project economics.
Savings can therefore vary considerably based on the procurement structure. Banking provisions, cross-subsidy surcharges, transmission and wheeling charges, ToD tariffs, and a consumer&#8217;s load profile all need to be evaluated alongside the renewable energy tariff.
For businesses considering renewable energy procurement, the decision is therefore increasingly about choosing the right procurement structure and matching generation with consumption, rather than simply securing the lowest renewable tariff.
Hybrid and Storage Capacity Expands
Andhra Pradesh has approximately 12.6 GW <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-96679 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> of solar and associated renewable projects under development and in the pre-construction stage, according to the<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Mercom India Renewable Energy Project Tracker</a> dashboard.
The pipeline includes standalone solar, solar-wind hybrid projects, solar-plus-battery storage, and solar-wind projects paired with battery storage.
The growing presence of hybrid and storage-linked capacity signals a broader move toward renewable power that can better match consumption beyond solar-generation hours.
Visakhapatnam’s Power Demand Opportunity
Visakhapatnam is emerging as a hub for data centers and hyperscalers, potentially adding another source of large, round-the-clock electricity demand.
As the region attracts more high-load consumers, demand for firm renewable power could rise, strengthening the case for solar-wind hybrids, storage, and other structured clean-energy procurement solutions.
And with Andhra Pradesh’s renewable market evolving rapidly, the opportunity for both C&amp;I consumers and solution providers is not simply to understand where the market is headed, but to identify what can be done today and who they can work with to make it happen.
The next C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-vizag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Vizag on September 24, 2026.

Andhra Pradesh’s C&I Market Opens Up to New Renewable Energy Opportunities

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					</table>Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan’s main business hubs. The state is the leading renewable energy producer in India, and commercial and industrial consumers in the city are looking to adopt clean energy solutions to bring their electricity costs and enhance sustainability.
Businesses in the city are evincing interest in sourcing power, specifically rooftop and open-access models. C&amp;I entities, large institutions, and residential apartments benefit immensely from such solutions, as they provide access to power at tariffs below conventional grid rates.
Mercom India hosts a pan-India C&amp;I Clean Energy Event to raise awareness about renewable energy procurement options available to businesses, the initial capital expenditure required, potential cost savings, and financing models that can support clean energy adoption.
The fifth edition of the C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet will take place on May 15, 2026, at Fairfield by Marriott.
The event will begin with registration at 9:30 AM, followed by the inaugural session from 10:35 AM to 10:55 AM, presided over by Anurag Lohiya, President of the <a href="https://www.jiajodhpur.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jodhpur Industries Association</a>.
The first session, titled “Harnessing the Green Route to Reducing Electricity Bills,” will be held from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM. The 45-minute discussion will feature Rahul Makahaniya, Chief Marketing Officer at <a href="https://soleosenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soleos Energy</a>, and Pratibha Sharma, Head of Sales and Marketing – North India at <a href="https://www.deyeinverter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ningbo Deye New Energy</a>, who will share insights into how businesses can power from renewable sources.
The next session, “Switching to Renewable Energy and Optimizing Savings,” will focus on the savings businesses can achieve through open access and rooftop solar models. The panel discussion will take place from 11:45 AM to 12:35 PM. It will feature Rahul Makahaniya and Vaibhav Roongta, Chief Business Officer at <a href="https://rayspowerinfra.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rays Power Infra</a>.
Following the two sessions, there will be a networking tea break from 12:35 PM to 12:50 PM.
The final session, titled ‘Attracting Financing Options-Easy and Affordable Green Loans’, will be held from 12:50 PM to 1:35 PM. The panel discussion will focus on financing options offered for renewable energy projects. It will be chaired by Himanshu Gupta, Chief Manager at <a href="https://onlinesbi.sbi.bank.in/">SBI</a>, and Nitin Bansal, Business Head at <a href="https://www.idbi.bank.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IDBI</a>.
Participants will then break for lunch from 1:35 PM to 2:40 PM.
After lunch, the event will conclude with a 30-minute Q&amp;A session, beginning at 2:40 PM.
You can go through the detailed agenda <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-jodhpur/agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Jodhpur Businesses Seek Clean Energy Solutions for Long-Term Power Savings

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					</table>Maharashtra is steadily cementing its position as one of India’s important markets for green energy procurement through the open access route. The state ranks second in installed open-access solar capacity, accounting for over 17% of the country’s installations as of September 2025.
Although quarterly installations dipped during the July to September period due to regulatory uncertainty, the cumulative picture remains strong, backed by a robust pipeline of solar, wind, hybrid, and storage-linked projects.
Demand Drivers
Two distinct motivations are driving the demand for open access in Maharashtra. A majority of companies are turning to renewables to cut electricity costs and improve cash flows, while a smaller but significant segment is compelled by regulatory mandates and international supply-chain requirements to go green.
“About 80% of companies want to go green to stay competitive and fix their electricity costs for the next 25 years,” said Rahul Makahaniya, Chief Marketing Officer at <a href="https://www.soleosenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soleos Energy</a>. The remaining 15% to 20% are largely responding to Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) and ESG expectations from global clients.
Sector-wise, demand spans textiles, plastics, education institutions, and manufacturing, but data centers, particularly in Mumbai, are emerging as a key growth driver. Their need for reliable, uninterrupted power is pushing adoption beyond conventional solar into more sophisticated renewable energy configurations.
Policy Stability
After a phase of uncertainty that slowed installations in mid-2025, policy clarity has helped restore momentum. The continuation of 100% energy banking (excluding peak hours) has been especially crucial in reviving stalled inquiries and encouraging new commitments.
The real impact of policy is on the quantity of energy that a company can source from green power. For instance, a company consuming 100 units of electricity may, under restrictive policies, be able to source only 30% to 32% of its consumption from renewable energy.
In this scenario, savings are realized only for the 30 units, while the remaining 70 units remain subject to conventional tariffs. Conversely, under a favorable policy framework, the same company could green as many as 70 units, effectively doubling the potential savings.
Understanding the Procurement Pathway
For businesses, procuring power through open access is no longer a complicated exercise. Consumers can opt for CAPEX models, investing fully in solar parks and benefiting from accelerated depreciation and savings up to ₹7 (~$0.08)/kWh, or choose OPEX and hybrid models, which offer cheaper power without upfront investment.
Pramod Maladkar, Senior General Manager at <a href="https://enrichenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Enrich Energy</a>, stated, “The process begins with a detailed analysis of the monthly electricity bill.” Factors such as contract demand, consumption patterns, and load profiles determine the appropriate sizing of projects.
Once these fundamentals are clear, execution tends to be smooth, especially when handled by developers offering end-to-end solutions.
Storage Still a Selective Play
According to Makahaniya, Maharashtra is yet to witness significant adoption of batteries by industrial units. Capital costs for battery storage remain high, given that the base price for energy discharged from the battery is approximately ₹2 (~$0.024)/kWh to ₹2.5 (~$0.030)/kWh. For industries sourcing grid power at ₹8 (~$0.10)/kWh to ₹9 (~$0.11)/kWh or generating solar power at ₹4 (~$0.048)/kWh, integrating batteries often becomes uneconomical unless grid tariffs exceed ₹10 (~$0.12)/kWh to ₹12 (~$0.14)/kWh.
He also remarked that high capital costs, currently in the range of ₹9 million (~$108,400)/MWh to ₹12 million (~$144,600)/MWh, limit its viability to consumers with high tariffs and round-the-clock demand, such as hotels, commercial buildings, and data centers.
For these users, storage-backed renewable power can deliver round-the-clock green energy at ₹5.5 (~$0.066)/kWh to ₹5.7 (~$0.069)/kWh, while locking in tariffs for up to 25 years. “Green data centers are the future,” Makahaniya noted, pointing to rising ESG compliance pressures from international investors.
However, concerns persist about long-duration outages and battery charging constraints, which is why most industries continue to retain diesel generators as backup power.
Cost reductions are expected to change the equation. With sodium-ion technology, battery prices could fall to ₹5.5 million (~$66,300)/MWh to ₹6 million (~$72,300)/MWh, making storage viable for a wider industrial base.
On the other hand, commercial segments are increasingly finding batteries viable at tariffs in the ₹16 (~$0.19)/kWh to ₹17 (~$0.20)/kWh range, and hotels and commercial complexes are beginning to explore storage solutions.
Data centers represent another rapidly growing segment, where the demand for round-the-clock power and a 100% green energy supply, through a mix of solar, wind, and batteries, is driving project closures, particularly in Mumbai.
These developments suggest that while industrial uptake remains moderate, commercial and high-demand sectors are emerging as key drivers for renewable energy storage deployment.
Power Purchase Agreement
Given the long-term nature of open access contracts, speakers stressed the importance of carefully structured PPAs. Consumers must assess the credibility of developers, tariff mechanisms, generation guarantees, lock-in periods, exit clauses, and penalties.
The choice between third-party, captive, and group captive models depends largely on investment appetite and risk tolerance.
Creditworthiness plays a pivotal role. Companies with stronger credit ratings can secure significantly better tariffs, as lenders and investors price risk conservatively. As one panelist pointed out, improving credit profiles can translate directly into long-term savings.
“Delaying decisions can be costly. Solar technology has matured, prices have stabilized, and returns have remained consistent over 15 to 20 years,” said Maladkar, noting that many companies regret postponing investments. The consensus was clear: the economics of open access are unlikely to improve dramatically with time.
The discussions at Mercom India’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2025-nagpur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nagpur C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a> brought together data, policy interpretation, and on-ground experience in a way that helped cut through the complexity surrounding open access procurement. Companies that were expecting significantly better economics later may not see that improvement and may instead face higher surcharges, fewer banking benefits, and reduced incentives, making early adoption potentially more attractive than waiting.
More importantly, the session shifted the conversation from whether companies should adopt green power to how quickly and effectively they can do so, reflecting the growing role such platforms play in shaping informed decision-making in India’s evolving renewable energy landscape.
The next Mercom India C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet event will be held in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-nashik" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nashik </a>on January 9, 2026.
<a href="mailto:sales@mercomindia.com?subject=Seeking%20Solar%20Installation%20Guidance%20and%20Vendor%20Recommendations%20for%20Business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact us</a> if you plan to install solar and need guidance or vendor recommendations.

Open Access Renewables Gain Ground Among Maharashtra’s Industries

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					</table>For commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) consumers in India, electricity has shifted from being a predictable operating cost to a strategic risk. Rising tariffs, volatile fuel adjustment charges, tightening time-of-day pricing, and uncertainty around banking regulations are forcing businesses to re-examine how they source and manage power.
Fuel adjustment charges can swing sharply, ranging from near zero to around ₹0.60 (~$0.0066)/kWh to ₹0.90 (~$0.010)/kWh in some months, pushing effective grid power costs toward ₹8.5 (~$0.094)/kWh to ₹9 (~$0.10)/kWh for many users and reinforcing the need for hedges.
Solar energy, once viewed largely as a sustainability initiative, is now being evaluated as a financial and operational tool that directly affects margins, reliability, and long-term competitiveness.
Rooftop Solar Most Accessible
Rooftop solar remains the most accessible entry point for many businesses, but its effectiveness depends heavily on correct sizing and design. Vikash Upadhyay, Vice President – Sales at <a href="https://swelectes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swelect Energy Systems</a>, notes that a simple rule of thumb is to help consumers begin the evaluation process by dividing their monthly electricity consumption (in units) by 130, which provides a rough estimate of the optimal rooftop capacity in kilowatts.
He noted that this rule of thumb is particularly useful as a starting point in high-irradiation locations such as Nagpur, but that it still requires a detailed site assessment. While this method offers a benchmark, he stressed that it cannot replace a detailed technical assessment.
Roof type, orientation, shading, and structural complexity play a decisive role in determining both achievable capacity and cost. Tin sheds, reinforced concrete roofs, directional alignment, and shadow obstructions all influence system design. As a result, two facilities with identical electricity consumption can end up with different optimal system sizes and significantly different project costs.
No Two Rooftop Quotes are the Same
One of the most persistent points of confusion among buyers is why a 100 kW rooftop system can be quoted at vastly different prices. Upadhyay noted that pricing variation is driven by engineering complexity rather than arbitrary vendor margins. For example, the cost of a 100 kW installation can range roughly from ₹3.8 million (~$42,042) to ₹4.8 million (~$53,106), depending on roof structure, mounting systems, inverter selection, and loss-reduction priorities.
He emphasized that rooftop solar should never be compared to a commodity purchase. The correct metric is not total capex but energy generated per rupee invested. A slightly higher-priced system can deliver superior returns if it produces more units over its lifetime. Even minor design improvements can reduce overall system size while increasing generation, thereby saving on module and balance-of-system components and reducing long-term operating costs.
He also highlighted a common decision trap where C&amp;I entities wait for prices to fall or for perfect policy clarity. Still, the savings clock only starts after commissioning, and delays often cost more in foregone savings than they recover in marginal capex reductions.
Economics of Limited Roof Space
As rooftop space becomes a limiting factor, module efficiency has emerged as a critical differentiator. Vishwanath Patil, Chief of Sales: Rooftop &amp; C&amp;I at <a href="https://www.ril.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reliance Industries</a>, highlighted the role of high-efficiency HJT modules in maximizing generation from constrained rooftops. Reliance currently manufactures modules rated at 720 Wp and above in India.
Patil explained that these modules are designed with significantly lower degradation rates, maintaining approximately 90.3% performance even after 38 years, backed by a 30-year performance warranty. Lower degradation means higher annual energy delivery over the project’s life, which improves overall project economics without requiring additional roof area.
Importantly, Patil noted that these higher-efficiency modules are being offered at market-aligned pricing rather than at a premium, making them viable even for cost-sensitive commercial consumers.
When Opex and RESCO Models Make Sense
Despite attractive payback periods, many businesses remain hesitant to invest upfront capital in rooftop solar. Patil addressed this concern by outlining alternative commercial structures in which the developer funds, installs, and maintains the system while the customer pays only for the electricity generated. Under such renewable energy service company (RESCO) or power purchase agreement models, savings begin immediately without capital expenditure.
In these arrangements, long-term performance risk, operations, and maintenance obligations rest with the developer. If generation targets are not met, contractual mechanisms provide compensation.
Patil also noted that under pure RESCO structures, the customer typically does not get depreciation benefits, so for companies focused on depreciation/tax treatment, structured finance or leasing options may be more suitable.
For customers seeking accounting flexibility, structured finance or lease structure options can be considered, where payments are treated as operating expenses while potentially retaining depreciation benefits, depending on the customer’s tax and accounting treatment.
He further stated that tariff competitiveness is central to adoption, noting that long-term (10-25 years) supply agreements can be priced attractively, with customers primarily evaluated on creditworthiness.
Open Access 
While rooftop solar offers meaningful savings, its contribution is limited by available area. Shrikant Soni, DGM Business Development at <a href="https://kalpapower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kalpa Power</a>, explained that many industrial facilities have a minimum power demand of 1.5 MW to 2 MW, far exceeding what rooftops can support. This is where green open access becomes essential.
Open access allows businesses to procure renewable energy from off-site solar or wind projects, significantly expanding the scale of clean energy adoption. Soni noted that policy developments have enabled more hybrid power approaches, combining rooftop solar, green open access procurement, and on-site storage to address different tariff periods and operational needs.
Tariffs, Banking, and Load Profiling
Policy changes, particularly those related to banking and time-of-day (ToD) tariffs, have introduced new complexity into project design. Soni described how recent multi-year tariff revisions and changes to banking rules in Maharashtra temporarily slowed decision-making as industries reassessed viability. However, he observed that most consumers eventually returned to solar once they recognized that grid power costs, including fuel adjustment charges, remained high and unpredictable.
A critical shift has been the increased importance of detailed load profiling. By analyzing consumption in 15-minute blocks, solution providers can now design systems that better align generation with high-cost consumption windows. In some cases, system sizes were reduced by 20-25% to minimize exposure to unfavorable banking conditions while preserving savings.
A specific ToD example discussed was the expanding peak period in some cases, from roughly 6 PM-10 PM earlier to as wide as from 5 PM until midnight, making evening consumption increasingly expensive and sharpening the value of better profiling and shifting strategies.
Battery Storage 
Battery energy storage has taken center stage as tariff structures increasingly penalize evening and nighttime consumption. According to Soni, rising night-time tariffs have accelerated interest in batteries, especially where banking benefits are limited. Storage enables businesses to shift solar generation into high-tariff periods and stabilize costs. One figure cited for the night-time tariff saving is around ₹2.17 (~$0.024)/kWh, reinforcing the economics of storage-backed shifting.
Beyond tariffs, batteries are also gaining traction as reliability assets. Diesel generation typically costs ₹30 (~$0.33)/kWh to ₹35 (~$0.39)/kWh, but the financial impact of outages often extends far beyond fuel costs. For facilities running CNC machines, robotics, or continuous processes, even momentary interruptions can lead to significant rejection losses. In this context, batteries help protect production quality and output, not just reduce energy costs.
Soni also cited cases where load-shifting becomes a deliberate operating strategy. For example, facilities are shifting a substantial share of consumption from night hours to morning, supported by storage and revised operating schedules. A huge positive socio-economic impact for industries and the workforce.
When batteries are explicitly designed to address high-tariff consumption, integrated rooftop solar-plus-storage systems have demonstrated payback periods of roughly 3.5 to 4 years in certain commercial and industrial applications.
Waiting Rarely Improves Outcomes
A recurring behavioral challenge is the tendency to delay projects in anticipation of price drops or policy clarity. Upadhyay argued that such delays often cost more in lost savings than they recover in reduced capex. Module prices are unlikely to fall dramatically due to persistent supply-chain dependencies, and policy frameworks tend to evolve incrementally rather than deliver sudden, perfect clarity.
He added that a large portion of system economics remains tied to modules and upstream materials, limiting the probability of sharp, sustained price declines in the near term.
Savings only begin after commissioning. Whether through capital investment or generation-based payment models, deferring decisions postpones financial benefits.
Solar as an Energy Management Tool
Taken together, the industry discussion at Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2025-nagpur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nagpur C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a> underscored a fundamental shift in how C&amp;I consumers approach clean energy. Solar is no longer viewed in isolation, but as part of a layered energy management strategy that integrates rooftop generation, off-site procurement, storage, and demand optimization.
Speakers also emphasized that procurement choices are increasingly shaped by compliance and sourcing considerations alongside economic factors, as buyers seek future-proof pathways in a changing policy environment. For attendees who are commercial and industrial unit owners and qualified large power consumers, the discussions and connections with the solution providers are an eye-opener on how to use solar and storage dynamically to enhance operating cost savings.
The next Mercom India C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet event will be held in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-nashik" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nashik </a>on January 9, 2026.
<a href="mailto:sales@mercomindia.com?subject=Seeking%20Solar%20Installation%20Guidance%20and%20Vendor%20Recommendations%20for%20Business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact us</a> if you plan to install solar and need guidance or vendor recommendations.

Solar’s Changing Economics and What It Means for Corporate Energy Strategy in India

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					</table>Rajasthan had about 2.4 GW of solar open access as of June 2025, making it one of India’s top states, with roughly 9.8% of the country’s total solar capacity. The state also held the largest open access pipeline, around 10.2 GW as of June 2025, mostly standalone solar at ~80%, solar plus storage at ~10%, and solar–wind hybrids at ~9%.
Policy is also pushing for storage as green energy open access projects above 5 MW must include batteries sized for at least two hours of generation or 5% of project capacity. Charge relaxations or exemptions apply when energy is supplied from a storage source. These relaxations refer to waivers or reductions of the grid/open access fees for energy delivered from a storage system.
Deepak Jain, Chief Technical Officer of <a href="https://insolationenergy.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insolation Energy</a>, attests to Rajasthan’s suitability for open access projects. Strong irradiation, large tracts of non-fertile land suitable for utility-scale plants, and the ability to utilize interstate transmission are contributory factors.
He said that cement, steel, textiles, and ceramics are shifting towards renewables to control costs and achieve long-term stability. Roadblocks remain, including grid upgrades within the state and on the ISTS, lengthy approval cycles, and a shortage of skilled manpower across manufacturing and EPC as deployments scale.
Himanshu Chandrakar, Chief Marketing Officer of <a href="https://altilium.eco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Altilium Energie</a>, stated that buyers must first verify that the state has truly implemented green open access for solar energy before checking for eligibility. Under green energy open access, several states now allow 100 kW. Buyers must also assess commercial viability, as the primary objective is to reduce power costs. “Sustainability and economics now go together.”
Implementation is where most C&amp;I consumers weigh capital expenditure (capex) against operating expenditure (opex). Open access is operationally more complex than rooftop, and rules can change fast, so many prefer opex. Buyers must keep practical considerations in mind. For instance, some developers avoid loan-burdened or certain manufacturing profiles. Many insist on a minimum credit rating, and a long list of seven often becomes a shortlist of three serious options.
Next come tariff and term negotiations, bank guarantees and security, and technical readiness checks, including metering, site infrastructure, and the daily monitoring and settlement cadence that differs from rooftop. Structurally, buyers choose among third-party, captive, and group captive insurance options. Rajasthan’s battery rule suggests a shift towards more solar with storage and hybrids. Buyers are also testing creative pairing. For example, a pure-solar PPA with a separately contracted battery may be preferable if the prices are favorable.
Rahul Makahaniya, Chief Marketing Officer of <a href="https://www.soleosenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soleos Energy</a>, said renewable purchase obligations and related mandates are tightening. In energy-intensive industries, a defined percentage of energy must come from renewable sources. “How you meet this, through captive, third-party, or group captive, is your choice, but compliance isn’t optional. Strategically, it’s like locking electricity on predictable terms for 15–25 years.”
For captive use, with a debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 70% and 30%, the landing cost would be ₹1.75 (~$0.020)–₹2 (~$0.023)/kWh in Rajasthan. Against a typical grid landing cost of ₹8.10 (~$0.091)–₹8.15 (~$0.092)/kWh including demand charges, “you’re saving roughly ₹6 (~$0.068)/kWh.” In a 1 MW example, the annual savings would be approximately ₹18.2 million (~$205,082), depending on the units generated.
For third-party PPAs, buyers often see ₹3 (~$0.034)–₹4 (~$$0.045)/kWh, depending on the tenor and risk, but must also add open-access charges and the cross-subsidy surcharge, which can increase the all-inclusive landed cost. The upside is no capital outlay. “You post the roughly three-month bank guarantee, pay as you go, and the developer carries asset and operational risk. Many buyers invest small amounts per MW, around ₹7 million (~$78,878) for 2 MW, and then secure lower all-in tariffs than those offered through a third-party PPA.
Makhaniya emphasized that PPA clauses make or break the economics. The focus should be on tariff and escalation, banking and scheduling, change-in-law, SLAs tied to availability or CUF, curtailment, termination, security, metering, and settlement timelines. Buyers must understand lock-ins, such as 15-year terms, and offtake obligations, including the risk of paying for shortfalls if demand falls below the contracted energy level.
These opportunities were <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2025-jaipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deliberated</a> in detail at Mercom’s C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet in Jaipur recently.
Jain said adopters report significant savings compared to grid tariffs and value price certainty. ESG reporting becomes simpler, and export competitiveness improves as global buyers increasingly prefer suppliers that use renewable energy. Challenges remain, especially in predictable policy, faster approvals, and skills development.
On timing, he argued that both cost and technology favor an early move. “We started way back around 2011 at ₹180 (~$2.03 million) –₹185 million (~$$2.08 million)/MW, and today installed costs are roughly ₹25 million (~$281,705) –₹35 million ($394,388)/MW depending on components and site.” Technology has also moved. “Module efficiencies have moved beyond 22%, and with TOPCon/HJT and tandem approaches, more than 25% at the module level is plausible,” which boosts yields and long-term economics. “Locking 15–25 years of power-price stability is hard to replicate with any other input.”
Looking ahead, Chandrakar said contracts are being signed in Rajasthan. “In the next year, more than 1,000 MW of PPAs could be signed,” and over the next two to three years, contracted capacity in Rajasthan could move toward ~3,000 MW as the market expands from obvious early adopters to a broader C&amp;I base.
On storage, Makahaniya described Rajasthan’s policy as one of the most aggressive for open access and said interest is rising. He mentioned tenders or interests discussed in 1,000–2,000 MW chunks. Sizing depends on the use case, load shape, price spreads, and grid constraints, so storage can shift solar generation from non-peak to peak periods.
He pointed to peak windows such as 06:00–10:00 and 18:00–22:00 and noted that some rules may not allow banking during peak times. Storage enables buyers to match their supply to their working patterns and capture peak-price arbitrage. Policy incentives, such as charge relaxations or exemptions for storage-backed supply, improve viability even though batteries increase capital expenditure.

Rajasthan Well Suited for Green Energy Open Access Projects

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					</table>Despite growing demand from energy-intensive industrial sectors, solar open access projects are not seeing much traction in Telangana due to a lack of policy clarity.
Open access developers say that consumers can save up to ₹5 (~$0.06)/kWh under the captive model, while under the third-party open access model, the savings could be about ₹1 (~$0.01)/kWh.
At a recent Mercom India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2025-hyderabad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet</a> session titled ‘Clean Power Purchase – Switching To Renewable Energy And Optimizing Savings’ in Hyderabad, project developers discussed the reasons for lower adoption, the viability of different types of open access models, and the feasibility of adding battery energy storage with solar.
Developers claim that policy uncertainty has led to a significant disparity in the market for green energy open access in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Yogish HN, Vice President at <a href="https://enerparc.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Enerparc Energy,</a> said Telangana has added only 16 MW of open access in the last two years due to policy uncertainty. “On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh has added around 500 MW to 600 MW of solar projects.”
He added that Telangana’s new clean energy policy has drawn considerable interest from consumers and developers, but high cross-subsidy charges and banking costs continue to affect consumers.
Yogish stated that in Telangana, there is a growing demand from the IT sector, data centers, pharma, food, and textiles. However, developers like Enerparc are in a “wait and watch” mode due to policy uncertainty.
He added that executing captive or group captive projects is also a challenge in Telangana. Applications for such projects are being received, but approvals are delayed. “Utilities see open access projects as competition. Currently, rooftop solar is the only immediate option, or consumers can buy renewable energy certificates to go green,” said Yogish.
According to Rahul Makahaniya, Chief Marketing Officer at <a href="https://www.soleosenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soleos Solar Energy</a>, out of 100 customers, 60 choose green energy open access for cost savings, and 30 due to regulatory pressures, such as renewable purchase obligations. “However, 10% choose solar because their customers demand it.”
Panelists said that the new clean energy policy from Telangana will mandate 35% to 40% of power procurement from renewable sources.
Load Profiling
Vikram Malkotia, Vice President (Project Development and C&amp;I) at <a href="https://upcrenewables.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UPC Renewables India</a>, said consumers must understand the open access market, want competitive renewable energy, and be willing to navigate regulatory hurdles.
Explaining the process of setting up a green open access project, Malkotia said the process starts with load profiling. “We ideally ask a 15-minute load profile, but at least they must have a time-of-the-day-based load profile.”
The threshold for qualifying for green energy open access is above 100 kW. He added that to opt for open access, consumers need to decide the tenure of power procurement, ranging from short-term, five-year, and 25-year, and select the project model.
Panelists said that Telangana consumers prefer rooftop solar because net metering is allowed up to 1 MW, making it easy to invest in. If demand is higher, consumers opt for behind-the-meter projects, which allow them to consume locally but not export to the grid.
Yogish added that Enerparc analyzes the load profile of 15-minute slots over the last 12 months and suggests the optimal mix.
Savings 
Consumers can save on power costs by gaining a lower landed cost against an average grid tariff of ₹8 (~$0.09)/kWh.
Makahaniya said that the savings would depend on the type of open access model. “For captive projects, consumers can save up to ₹5 (~$0.06)/kWh.” The payback for such projects ranges between two and a half to three years.
He added that under the group captive model, consumers can procure power at a landed cost of ₹4.75 (~$0.05)/kWh with savings ranging from ₹3 (~$0.03)/kWh to ₹3.5 (~$0.04)/kWh.
While the group captive projects mandate a cumulative equity investment of up to 26%, developers say that consumers can expect a return on investment within 12 months.
He explained that under the third-party open access model, consumers can obtain power at a landed tariff of ₹6.5 (~$0.07)/kWh to ₹7 (~$0.08)/kWh, providing a saving of ₹1 (~$0.01)/kWh.
BESS Viability
Bundling of battery energy storage systems (BESS) is not viable in Telangana, and the market needs to wait for large-scale deployment.
Makahaniya said that the batteries become viable when there is a policy constraint for power banking. “In Telangana, banking is allowed up to 30% with an 8% banking charge. The battery will only be viable when the costs go down.”
“Currently, if you add a BESS to an existing solar project, it adds ₹2.5 (~$0.03)/kWh to ₹3.5 (~$0.04)/kWh to the project.”
Makahaniya said BESS is currently viable in the C&amp;I sector, particularly with a high nighttime tariff.
To draw more consumers to go green, Mercom India hosts a multicity ‘C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet’ series designed to provide C&amp;I energy buyers with the knowledge and tools they need to adopt clean energy solutions and lower their power costs. The next Clean Energy Meet event will be held in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2025-jaipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaipur</a> on September 19, 2025.

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