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					</table><p>Rajasthan emerged as the leading state for solar open access installations in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. The state commissioned over 1 GW of solar open access capacity during the quarter, accounting for 39% of India’s newly added open access capacity, according to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q1-2026-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q1 2026 India Solar Open Access Market Report</a>.</p>
<p>The state’s installations increased by 1,371% year-over-year and 2,472% quarter-over-quarter, rebounding from the slowdown observed in the previous quarter due to transmission availability constraints.</p>
<p>India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-open-access-installations-in-india-surge-160-yoy-to-2-7-gw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a> 2.7 GW of open-access solar capacity in Q1 2026, a 160% increase from Q1 2025 and a 55% increase from Q4 2025.</p>
<p>Open access projects accounted for 21% of Rajasthan’s total large-scale solar installations during the quarter, reflecting growing demand from commercial and industrial consumers. Of the capacity added during Q1 2026, standalone solar projects accounted for 82%, while the remaining installations came from solar-plus-wind projects.</p>
<p>The commissioning of CleanMax Enviro Energy’s 400 MW solar project drove 39% of the quarter’s solar open access capacity additions.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-95980 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-scaled.png" alt="Rajasthan Solar Open Access Market (MW) " width="2560" height="928" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-scaled.png 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-300x109.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-2000x725.png 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-768x278.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-1536x557.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-2048x742.png 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-650x236.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-624x226.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rajasthan-Solar-Open-Access-Market-MW-1-600x217.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>As of March 2026, Rajasthan ranked third in cumulative solar open access capacity, with more than 5 GW installed, accounting for 16% of the country’s total open access capacity.</p>
<p>Solar open access projects accounted for 13% of the state’s cumulative large-scale solar capacity. Standalone solar projects dominated cumulative installations, accounting for 93% of the total, followed by solar-plus-wind projects at 7% and solar-plus-battery storage projects at 0.3%. Floating solar projects accounted for the remaining marginal share.</p>
<p><strong>Policy Support</strong></p>
<p>Rajasthan has continued to strengthen its regulatory framework for open access and emerging renewable energy technologies.</p>
<p>The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-lowers-charges-for-open-access-power-consumers-for-fy-2027" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduced</a> transmission and wheeling charges for open access consumers for FY27. The state also approved Green Energy Open Access procedures and aligned captive power regulations with the Central Government’s revised framework, providing greater regulatory clarity for captive and group captive projects.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-regulator-allows-dual-power-connections-for-high-load-consumers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduction</a> of dual power connection provisions for high-load consumers is expected to provide greater procurement flexibility for high-tension (HT) and extra-high-tension (EHT) consumers, including the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), data centers, and other essential service categories.</p>
<p>Rajasthan also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-finalizes-regulations-for-battery-energy-storage-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finalized</a> regulations for battery energy storage systems and notified resource adequacy regulations, reflecting an increased focus on grid reliability, peak-demand management, and the procurement of firm renewable power.</p>
<p>In addition, Rajasthan remains one of India’s most attractive solar open access markets due to its strong renewable resource base, large industrial demand centers, and established renewable energy ecosystem.</p>
<p>According to the state load dispatch center, Rajasthan is expected to end up with a spare transmission capacity of up to 5.5 GW over the next two years, supporting the state&#8217;s renewable energy growth. However, transmission congestion and renewable energy curtailment continue to persist in some regions during periods of high solar generation due to evacuation constraints. These challenges are prompting developers to increasingly adopt battery storage, hybrid configurations, and grid-aligned project designs to improve power offtake reliability and reduce operational risks as transmission infrastructure continues to expand.</p>
<p>According to Mercom India Research, Rajasthan has the largest solar open access development pipeline in the country, highlighting strong growth prospects for the market in the coming quarters. Standalone solar projects accounted for 67% of the state’s development pipeline.</p>
<p>Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">solar open access tracker</a> provides key details of installed and pipeline projects, including captive, group captive, third-party sale, and solar park projects across India.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q1-2025-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q1 2026 India Solar Open Access Market Report</a> covers state-wise open access charges, electricity tariffs, power purchase agreement tariffs, installed and pipeline project capacities, policy updates, and other critical information and data on the market.</p>


Rajasthan Leads India’s Solar Open Access Market in Q1


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					</table><p>India added 2.7 GW of solar open access capacity in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, according to Mercom India’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q1-2026-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q1 2026 India Solar Open Access Market Report</a>, marking a 55% quarter-over-quarter increase from 1.7 GW and 160% year-over-year increase from 1 GW.</p>
<p>The growth was driven by a combination of regulatory push, anticipated supply-side concerns, supportive state-level policies, stronger market outreach, and improved project execution across key markets.</p>
<p>The implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar cells, effective from June 2026, emerged as one of the biggest factors behind the commissioning rush during the quarter.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-95141 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-scaled.png" alt="Solar Open Access Installations (MW)" width="2560" height="1582" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-scaled.png 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-300x185.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-2000x1236.png 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-768x475.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-1536x949.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-2048x1266.png 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-650x402.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-624x386.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-1-updated-600x371.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>Developers accelerated installations to complete projects before the new domestic cell sourcing norms take effect amid concerns over higher procurement costs and limited supplies.</p>
<p>Priya Sanjay, Managing Director at Mercom India, said, “Developers could not risk delays because if the projects have not been commissioned, they would have to forego the benefits of ISTS charges waiver and the ability to procure non-DCR panels.”</p>
<p>She added that once developers sign power purchase agreements with commercial and industrial consumers, pricing is largely locked in, leaving limited room to absorb higher equipment costs later.</p>
<p><strong>State-Wise Installations</strong></p>
<p>Rajasthan accounted for nearly 39% of solar open-access capacity additions in Q1 2026, making it the leading state for the quarter. The top five states together contributed over 84% of total installations.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-95128 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2.png" alt="State-wise Solar Open Access Installations in Q1 2026 (MW)" width="2118" height="1258" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2.png 2118w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-300x178.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-2000x1188.png 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-768x456.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-1536x912.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-2048x1216.png 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-650x386.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-624x371.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Solar-Open-Access-Q1-2026-image-2-600x356.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2118px) 100vw, 2118px" /></a></p>
<p>As of March 2026, cumulative installed open-access solar capacity in India stood at 32.9 GW.</p>
<p>Karnataka continued to lead cumulative installations, with an over 23% share of the country’s total solar open-access capacity. Maharashtra ranked second with around 16%, followed closely by Rajasthan with nearly 16%. The top five states accounted for almost 77% of cumulative installed capacity.</p>
<p>Explaining the concentration of projects in these states, Sanjay mentioned that the regulatory environment, solar irradiation and land availability were key factors. In some states, solar irradiation may be strong, but regulatory challenges and land acquisition constraints limit open access growth.</p>
<p><strong>Market Trends</strong></p>
<p>The top five states accounted for over 86% of the announced installations.</p>
<p>However, developers could continue to face supply chain uncertainty and lack of regulatory clarity over the next few quarters.</p>
<p>Sanjay said some developers may delay procurement decisions while waiting for possible extensions to the ALMM deadline. She noted that during transition periods, suppliers often raise prices due to anticipated shortages, which can affect project economics and commissioning timelines.</p>
<p>The report also tracks activity in India’s renewable power exchanges. In Q4 2025, Adani Green Energy was the leading seller in the Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM), accounting for 34% of electricity sold.</p>
<p>The cleared volume of Renewable Energy Certificates traded on the Indian Energy Exchange increased 285% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting higher participation from obligated entities procuring renewable attributes through the exchange mechanism. In contrast, trade volume in the Green Term-Ahead Market (G-TAM) declined around 40% quarter-over-quarter.</p>
<p>Odisha emerged as the leading procurer from G-DAM, followed by Damodar Valley Corporation and Gujarat.</p>
<p>Demand from commercial and industrial consumers is expected to remain strong over the coming quarters, despite regulatory and supply-side uncertainties. Sanjay said the market’s focus has shifted beyond immediate tariff savings toward long-term electricity price stability through multi-year power purchase agreements.</p>
<p>“The demand is always going to be there,” she said, adding that corporations increasingly value fixed electricity costs over 10 to 25 years, even if immediate savings compared to grid tariffs have narrowed.</p>
<p>The Q1 2026 Solar Open Access Market Report by Mercom India is 92 pages long and covers vital information and data on the market. For the complete report, visit: <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q1-2026-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q1-2026-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report</a></p>


Solar Open Access Installations in India Surge 160% YoY to 2.7 GW


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					</table><p>India added 7.8 GW of solar open access capacity in 2025, a largely flat 0.5% year-over-year (YoY) growth from 7.7 GW, according to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q4-2025-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q4 &amp; Annual 2025 India Solar Open Access Market Report</a>.</p>
<p>India’s cumulative installed solar open access capacity exceeded 30 GW as of December 2025.</p>
<p>In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, the country added open access solar capacity of 1.6 GW, down approximately 29% from 2.2 GW in Q3 and over 32% YoY from 2.3 GW.</p>
<p>Many projects initially scheduled for commissioning in the second half of the year were completed ahead of schedule due to the phasing out of the interstate transmission system (ISTS) charge waiver, which expired in June. These early project commissionings led to lower project execution in the latter part of 2025, including in Q4.</p>
<p>Over 45 GW of open access projects were under development and in the pre-construction phase at the end of Q4 2025.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-90864 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-scaled.png" alt="State-wise Solar Open Access Installations* in Q4 2025 (MW) " width="2560" height="1597" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-scaled.png 2560w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-300x187.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-2000x1247.png 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-768x479.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-1536x958.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-2048x1277.png 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-650x405.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-624x389.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solar-Open-Access-Installations-MW-1-600x374.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>“Solar open access demand remains strong, particularly from large industrial users and data centers seeking long-term tariff certainty while meeting sustainability goals. We expect installations to grow faster in 2026, but the market is evolving. Developers are prioritizing projects with clear regulatory visibility, stable load profiles, and credible offtakers. Rising costs, tighter compliance requirements, and execution constraints will influence the pace of additions in the near term. However, the underlying drivers remain solid, and as infrastructure and regulatory clarity improve, open access is positioned for sustained growth,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.</p>
<p>Solar open access faces challenges despite its continued annual growth.</p>
<p>Priya Sanjay, Managing Director, Mercom India, said challenges for solar open access included the mandate under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)-II to use modules with cells manufactured in India from June 2026.</p>
<p>She added that land acquisition is becoming a problem because project developers must obtain approval from multiple government agencies. Securing connectivity is another challenge.</p>
<p><strong>State-Wise Installations</strong></p>
<p>Karnataka led India’s solar open access market in 2025, accounting for more than 24% of installations. It was followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan, contributing over 20% and 18%, respectively, to the capacity additions.</p>
<p>Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat led solar open access installations in Q4, contributing approximately 27%, over 22%, and nearly 17%, respectively, to the total capacity additions.</p>
<p>Commenting on the reasons for Karnataka’s performance, Sanjay said, “Karnataka has always had consistent policies. The state has many IT companies and other large power consumers, which creates an inherent open-access power demand. Even the state DISCOMs have been giving approvals fairly quickly.”</p>
<p>Installations in Maharashtra could have been higher if not for the regulatory uncertainty. Data centers coming up in Karnataka and Maharashtra are driving demand for open access in these states.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-90871 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1.png" alt="State-wise Solar Open Access Installations in Q4 2025 (MW)" width="2128" height="1598" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1.png 2128w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-300x225.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-2000x1502.png 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-768x577.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-1536x1153.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-2048x1538.png 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-650x488.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-624x469.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/State-wise-Solar-Open-Access-Installations-in-Q4-2025-MW-1-1-600x451.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2128px) 100vw, 2128px" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sanjay believes India’s commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) segment would benefit from greater awareness of the long-term advantages of solar and other renewable energy sources. Many C&amp;I entities currently focus on immediate savings or payback periods when evaluating solar. However, they often overlook that the financial benefits can extend over 25 to 30 years.</p>
<p>India’s Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM) experienced a nearly 18% growth quarter-over-quarter (QoQ).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.adanigreenenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Green Energy</a> retained its position as the top seller in G-DAM from the previous year, accounting for approximately 38% of the traded electricity.</p>
<p>Odisha procured the largest volume of electricity at G-DAM, accounting for more than 23% of the total traded electricity.</p>
<p>The cleared volume of Renewable Energy Certificates traded on the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) fell nearly 58% QoQ.</p>
<p>The volume traded in the Green Term-Ahead Market on IEX reduced by over 32% from the previous quarter.</p>
<p>Sanjay expects greater solar open access growth if states such as Maharashtra overcome their policy issues.</p>
<p>The report provides a detailed analysis of the solar open access market, retail electricity tariffs, and other open access charges and costs across 15 states.</p>
<p>The Q4 &amp; Annual 2025 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report is 82 pages long and provides comprehensive market data and analysis. For the complete report, visit: <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q4-2025-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q4-2025-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report</a></p>


India Adds 7.8 GW of Solar Open Access Capacity in 2025


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					</table><p>India added 6.9 GW of solar open access capacity in 2024, a 77% year-over-year (YoY) increase from 3.9 GW, according to the newly-released <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q4-2024-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Q4 &amp; Annual 2024 India Solar Open Access Market Report</a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p>This growth represents the highest annual installations recorded in the solar open access segment. The fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 alone saw 2.1 GW of new installations, reflecting a 92% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) growth from 1.1 GW and a 142% YoY increase from 852.7 MW.</p>
<p>The increase in solar open access was primarily driven by the availability of low-cost Chinese modules, which were imported before the reimposition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers from April 2024.</p>
<p>Developers rushed to commission projects in Q1 before the order deadline, leading to a spike in capacity addition. However, uncertainty in Q2 and Q3 resulted in a temporary slowdown as stakeholders awaited possible exemptions. With no confirmation of further exemptions, developers resumed projects in Q4 to meet their sustainability commitments, leading to another installation growth.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-77294 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1.png" alt="Mercom research image 1" width="931" height="544" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1.png 931w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1-300x175.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1-768x449.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1-650x380.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1-624x365.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-1-600x351.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 931px) 100vw, 931px" /></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: normal !msorm;">&#8220;Open access installations saw remarkable growth in 2024 as businesses increasingly prioritized cleaner power generation to meet green mandates and reduce electricity costs. However, rising component prices, along with land procurement and grid connectivity hurdles, are creating challenges. To maintain this growth trajectory, the deadline for inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charge exemptions, set to expire on June 30, must be extended. Without it, continued growth in the open access segment could be at risk,&#8221;</span></i> said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.</p>
<p><strong>State-Wise Installations</strong></p>
<p>Maharashtra led India&#8217;s solar open access market in 2024, accounting for 18% of the total installations. Rajasthan and Karnataka followed, contributing 15% and 14% respectively. Maharashtra (24%), Uttar Pradesh (21%), and Gujarat (20%) had the highest capacity additions in Q4.</p>
<p>By the end of 2024, India&#8217;s cumulative installed solar open access capacity stood at 20.2 GW. Karnataka led the sector with 25% of the total capacity, followed by Maharashtra (16%) and Gujarat (12%).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-77296 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2.png" alt="Mercom research image 2" width="770" height="667" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2.png 770w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2-300x260.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2-768x665.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2-650x563.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2-624x541.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mercom-research-image-2-600x520.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px" /></p>
<p>Priya Sanjay, Managing Director, Mercom India, commented, &#8220;Policy flip-flops, price fluctuations, and distribution company (DISCOM) reluctance to approve projects have not been able to thwart the demand for solar open access as industries rush to advance their clean energy initiatives. 2025 will be a year to watch companies exporting to European markets report their green energy progress under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which is expected to be fully in place by 2026.&#8221;</p>
<p>The upcoming solar open access projects pipeline includes over 25.7 GW of capacity under development and pre-construction by the end of 2024.</p>
<p>The states with the highest project activity were Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.</p>
<p>Sanjay said these states are preferred due to their business-friendly policies, land availability, and robust infrastructure. She emphasized that seamless approvals and economic feasibility make these regions attractive for developers.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.adanigreenenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Green Energy</a> was the top seller in the Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM), comprising 34% of the total electricity sold in the power exchanges. On the buyer&#8217;s side, Punjab led the electricity purchases, contributing 28% of traded electricity.</p>
<p>Despite the overall growth in the sector, the cleared volume of renewable energy certificates on the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) fell by 58% QoQ. Similarly, the Green Term Ahead Market (G-TAM) trading volume declined by 67% QoQ.</p>
<p><strong>Outlook</strong></p>
<p>Sanjay was optimistic about the continued growth in solar open access in 2025, particularly as commercial and industrial consumers move toward sustainability.</p>
<p>While the open access solar market continues to grow, industrial consumers still face challenges related to state-specific regulations. Sanjay pointed out that businesses operating across multiple states struggle with varied regulatory frameworks, making procurement decisions complex.</p>
<p>Sanjay highlighted the need for streamlined approval processes to make solar open access more attractive. Delays in DISCOM clearances often hinder project implementation, negating the benefits of favorable policies. She suggested that regulatory bodies ensure timely approvals and maintain predictable pricing structures to prevent excessive charges that could erode savings.</p>
<p>Additionally, she stressed that states should align their policies with central government guidelines to create a more uniform and stable regulatory environment, encouraging higher adoption of solar open access.</p>
<p>The Q4 &amp; Annual 2024 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report is 64 pages long and covers vital information and data on the market.</p>
<p>For the complete report, visit: <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q4-2024-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q4-2024-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report</a></p>


India Adds 6.9 GW of Solar Open Access Capacity in 2024


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					</table><p>India installed 3.2 GW of rooftop solar capacity in 2024, an 86% increase from 2023, according to Mercom India Research&#8217;s newly released <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q4-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q4 &amp; Annual 2024 India Rooftop Solar Market Report.  </a></p>
<p>The capacity additions were mainly driven by the record commissioning of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.</p>
<p>Consumers in the residential segment benefitted from the PM Surya Ghar program, accounting for 74% of the installations in 2024. Industrial, commercial, and government segments contributed 19%, 6%, and 0.8% to the total capacity added during the year.</p>
<p>Installations under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model comprised 88% of the year&#8217;s installations, and capacity additions under the operational expenditure or renewable energy service company (OPEX/RESCO) model accounted for the rest.</p>
<p>&#8220;The overwhelming response to the PM Surya Ghar residential solar program is a testament to growing homeowner interest in solar adoption, making up over 72%  of rooftop installations in India. However, long-term success will depend on stabilizing module costs and streamlining supply constraints to support both residential and C&amp;I solar expansion,&#8221; said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.</p>
<p>Gujarat led the rooftop solar capacity additions in 2024, with 36% of the total installations, followed by Maharashtra, with 20%, and Kerala, adding 9%.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-77064 size-full aligncenter" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final.png" alt="" width="940" height="533" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final.png 940w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final-300x170.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final-768x435.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final-650x369.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final-624x354.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture1-final-600x340.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></p>
<p>India&#8217;s cumulative rooftop solar installations reached 13.7 GW at the end of December 2024.</p>
<p>During the year, 2.8 GW of rooftop solar tenders were released, marking a increase year-over-year (YoY).</p>
<p>Over 43% of this capacity came from tenders aimed at installing rooftop solar systems on government buildings throughout India.</p>
<p>In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, India added 1.3 GW of rooftop solar, a 64% quarter-over-quarter increase from 791.1 MW. The installations in Q4 surpassed all previous quarterly additions to date.</p>
<p>Installations in the residential segment under the PM Surya Ghar program drove capacity additions in the quarter, accounting for over 85% of the capacity additions. Capacity additions under the CAPEX model accounted for over 95% of the quarter&#8217;s installations.</p>
<p>Priya Sanjay, Managing Director, Mercom India, said, &#8220;In previous quarters, C&amp;I consumers were holding back on installations waiting for clarity on the exemption from ALMM. With better clarity, they are now focusing on procuring modules and building the projects.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>State-wise installations</strong></p>
<p>Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh led rooftop solar installations in Q4, accounting for around 33%, 26%, and 8%, respectively.</p>
<p>&#8220;Gujarat has always been rigorous in eliminating two subsidized consumers – residential and farmers. Gujarat&#8217;s DISCOMs are making residential consumers independent by setting up rooftop solar projects and solar pumps for the farmers. That explains why the state has been leading the installations,&#8221; Sanjay said.</p>
<p>She anticipates Gujarat continuing its growth in the upcoming quarters as well.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-77065 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final.png" alt="" width="909" height="667" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final.png 909w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final-300x220.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final-768x564.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final-650x477.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final-624x458.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Picture2-final-600x440.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 909px) 100vw, 909px" /></p>
<p>The PM Surya Ghar program installations significantly boosted capacity this quarter, accounting for more than 85% of total additions. The industrial, commercial, and government sectors contributed 10%, 4%, and 0.6% to the quarter&#8217;s installations.</p>
<p>Under the CAPEX model, capacity additions accounted for over 95% of the quarter&#8217;s installations.  In all, over 1 GW of tenders were announced, over 185% QoQ increase from 364.5 MW and more than 84% YoY from 564.8 MW.</p>
<p>Gujarat remains the leading state, accounting for over 29% of cumulative rooftop solar installations, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan, comprising around 15% and 7%, respectively.</p>
<p>The top 10 states accounted for over 80% of cumulative rooftop solar installations as of December 2024.</p>
<p>The Q4 &amp; Annual 2024 India Rooftop Solar Market Report is 79 pages and covers all facets of India&#8217;s rooftop solar market. For the complete report, visit: <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q4-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q4-2024 </a></p>


India’s Rooftop Solar Installations Reach a Record 3.2 GW in 2024


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					</table><p>India installed 1.7 GW of rooftop solar capacity in 2023, the second-highest annual installation numbers on record, according to Mercom India Research&#8217;s newly unveiled <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q4-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 Q4 &amp; Annual Mercom India Rooftop Solar Market Report</a>.</p>
<p>However, the capacity addition rose only by 3.7% as many commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) consumers held off on new projects while waiting for solar module prices to stabilize. Lower module prices forecasted in early 2024 are expected to help companies reduce project costs.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-63931" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart.png" alt="Annual Rooftop Solar Installations in 2023 - Chart" width="600" height="316" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart.png 890w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart-300x158.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart-768x404.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart-650x342.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart-624x328.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-in-2023-Chart-600x316.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></p>
<p>&#8220;The cost of modules was still high in the first half of the year,&#8221; said Priya Sanjay, Managing Director, Mercom India, explaining the rationale behind C&amp;I consumers holding back on installations in 2023. &#8220;There was a lot of confusion about the applicability of ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) mandate to rooftop solar projects.&#8221;</p>
<p>Earlier this month, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-holds-almm-reimposition-order-abeyance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> kept in abeyance</a> its recent order reimposing the ALMM regulation from April 1, 2024. The ministry had earlier <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/almm-reimposed-exempt-open-access-solar-projects-advanced-stages" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> the reimposition of ALMM with exemptions for projects set up under open-access solar and those in advanced stages of construction and rooftop solar projects with no subsidy.</p>
<p>India&#8217;s cumulative rooftop solar installations reached 10.5 GW by the end of December 2023.</p>
<p>The residential segment was the primary driver of new rooftop solar additions in 2023, accounting for over half of the capacity added. The report also found that rooftop solar system costs decreased 10% quarter-over-quarter and 21.6% year-over-year (YoY), helped by falling prices of solar modules.</p>
<p>In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023, rooftop solar installations declined 5.8% from the previous quarter to 406 MW. Installations fell 15.9% from 483 MW last year.</p>
<p>&#8220;The cost started falling in the later part of the year, and installers waited for it to stabilize,&#8221; said Priya Sanjay.</p>
<p><strong>State-wise installations</strong></p>
<p>Gujarat led rooftop solar additions in Q4, representing 42.6% of the quarter&#8217;s total. At the end of 2023, Gujarat was once again the leader, accounting for 27.3% of cumulative solar rooftop installations, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan, with 13.3% and 8.1%, respectively.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-63928" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Q4-2023-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-by-States.png" alt="Q4 2023 Rooftop Solar Installations by States" width="600" height="556" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Q4-2023-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-by-States.png 557w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Q4-2023-Rooftop-Solar-Installations-by-States-300x278.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></p>
<p>&#8220;Gujarat DISCOMs mean business,&#8221; said Priya Sanjay, adding that the state&#8217;s distribution companies, some of the highest rated in the country, are consistently reducing the subsidized consumer numbers by installing rooftop solar systems for agricultural and residential users.</p>
<p>But tendered rooftop solar capacity fell 45.7% in 2023 from 2022. Uttar Pradesh was the most active state for tenders, accounting for 44.2% of the 1.2 GW capacity tendered during the year.</p>
<p>Tenders for rooftop solar systems on government buildings accounted for nearly 57% of the announced tender capacity.</p>
<p>The top 10 states made up 77.3% of India&#8217;s total installed rooftop solar capacity.</p>
<p>The 59-page report provides an in-depth analysis of India&#8217;s rooftop solar market development, trends, state-wise installations, policies, and outlook. For the complete report, visit: <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q4-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q4-2023</a></p>


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