India Adds 3.8 GW Solar Open Access Capacity in H1 2025
The first half of 2025 has been a rollercoaster for India’s solar open access market. The country installed 3.8 GW of solar capacity under the open access model, with a staggering 2.7 GW added just in the April-June quarter. But here’s the kicker—that’s actually 4% lower than the same period in 2024. So, what’s driving this trend?
Why the Sudden Surge in April-June?
Developers weren’t just chasing sunlight—they were racing against deadlines. The waiver on inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges expired in June, and everyone wanted a piece of that cost-saving pie. Many projects were even partially commissioned just to lock in the waiver. This is a common trend in the solar industry, as seen in the Sungrow advanced home battery launch.
The Maharashtra Momentum
Maharashtra stole the show, contributing over 30% of the quarter’s installations. But Karnataka still wears the crown for cumulative capacity, holding 24% of India’s 24.6 GW open access solar portfolio. Gujarat isn’t far behind, clocking in at nearly 12%. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of industrial rooftop solar solutions.
Roadblocks in the Sunshine
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Early 2025 saw connectivity approvals crawling at a snail’s pace, and transmission infrastructure bottlenecks didn’t help. “The demand for green energy through open access is through the roof,” says a leading industry expert, “but evacuation infrastructure and policy quirks are putting a damper on growth.” This highlights the need for more sustainable rooftop solar solutions for manufacturing.
What’s Cooking for the Future?
Hybrid projects, wind-solar hybrids, and battery storage might be the game-changers here. With issues like grid congestion and energy banking restrictions, storing sunshine for later might just be the way forward. This is where innovative solutions like the European-sourced residential battery with repairability come into play.
