Solar Power Plants in India

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Solar Power Plants in India

Committed to our goal of providing green & clean energy solutions to our corporate & industrial partners, we have installed 550+ rooftop solar power plants across India with a rooftop solar capacity of over 250+ MWp across the country, helping abate 331,200 tons of CO2 per annum and providing green energy to our clients across diverse sectors – from Government, Manufacturing, Automotive, Education, Real Estate, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverages and IT/ITES.

Statewise Projects

Solar Power Plants in India
Project size: 576 kWp
Roof type: Metal Rooftop
Module type: MONO Crystalline
Inverter type: String
Industry type: Auto & Auto ancillaries
Commissioned on: 2019
CO2 abated annually: 829 Tonnes
Equivalent to planting: 13,714 trees
View Photos

576 kWp, Metal Rooftop Installation

Battery Manufacturer, Rajangaon

Solar Power Plants in India
Project size: 1,324 kWp
Roof type: RCC + Metal Rooftop
Module type: Polycrystalline
Inverter type: String
Industry type: Auto & Auto ancillaries
Commissioned on: 2019
CO2 abated annually: 1,907 Tonnes
Equivalent to planting: 28,606 trees
View Photos

1,324 kWp, RCC + Metal Rooftop Installation

Automotive Component Manufacturer, Pondicherry

Solar Power Plants in India
Project size: 6,000 kWp
Roof type: Metal + RCC + Ground Mount
Module type: Polycrystalline
Inverter type: String
Industry type: Infrastructure
Commissioned on: 2018
CO2 abated annually: 8,640 Tonnes
Equivalent to planting: 142,864 trees
View Photos

6,000 kWp, RCC+Metal Rooftop and Ground Mount Installation

Chennai Metro Rail Limited, Chennai

Solar Power Plants in India
Project size: 351 kWp
Roof type: RCC Rooftop
Module type: Polycrystalline
Inverter type: String
Industry type: Education
Commissioned on: 2018
CO2 abated annually: 505 Tonnes
Equivalent to planting: 8,358 trees
View Photos

351 kWp, RCC Rooftop Installation

Central University of Tamil Nadu, Chennai

Solar Power Plants in India
Project size: 1,420 kWp
Roof type: Metal Rooftop
Module type: Polycrystalline
Inverter type: String
Industry type: Textiles
Commissioned on: 2018
CO2 abated annually: 2,045 Tonnes
Equivalent to planting: 33,811 trees
View Photos

1,420 kWp, Metal Rooftop Installation

Textile Manufacturer, Kolkata

Solar Power Plants in India
Project size: 1,112 kWp
Roof type: RCC Rooftop and Ground Mount
Module type: Polycrystalline
Inverter type: String
Industry type: Education
Commissioned on: 2018
CO2 abated annually: 1,601 Tonnes
Equivalent to planting: 26,466 trees
View Photos

1,112 kWp, RCC Rooftop and Ground Mount Installation

Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow

State Pages on Website Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap Banking Norms for Rooftop Key Approvals required for Rooftop DISCOMs   Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.
Maharashtra 1 kW–1 MW Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. The consumer and the DISCOM will enter into a Net Metering Connection Agreement, which shall remain in force for 20 years, in the prescribed format after the roof-top solar PV system is installed but before it is synchronized with the distribution network		 The rooftop solar system installed on eligible consumer premises, are exempt from payment of banking and wheeling charges and losses, cross subsidy and additional surcharge etc. Project wise Statutory fees, testing fees, supervision charges, application fees etc. are applicable and varies time to time as policy changes
Uttar Pradesh 1 kW–2 MW Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. No net metering		 Rooftop solar PV system under gross metering scheme / net metering scheme, whether self-owned or third party owned and installed on eligible consumer premises are exempt from payment of wheeling and cross subsidy surcharge.
Rajasthan 1 kW–1 MW Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. Any eligible consumer under the Rajasthan Net Metering Regulations may obtain approval for installation of rooftop solar system on its premises under net metering arrangement in accordance with the Rajasthan Net Metering Regulations and execution of an interconnection agreement for net metering with the distribution licensee.		 Rooftop PV solar power plants under net metering arrangement are exempt from payment of wheeling, banking and cross subsidy surcharges.
Karnataka 1 kW–1 MW Monthly 1. CEIG approval (Applicable above 1MW)
2. Net metering approval (if applicable up to 1 MW)		 Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity. In case it is a ground mount project then banking and wheeling charges may be applicable
Haryana NA–1 MW Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or a ‘no-objection certificate’ from the applicable local distribution utility. The consumer and the distribution utility will enter into a Net Metering Connection Agreement in the prescribed format after the roof-top solar PV system is installed but before it is synchronized with the distribution network.		 While the Haryana Solar Policy has waived electricity taxes, electricity cess, electricity duty, and cross subsidy charges etc., but Transmission, wheeling and banking charges may be applicable as per the guidelines and orders issued by the HERC from time to time.
Tamil Nadu Consumers under Low Tension category except Hut and Agricultural category of tariff Yearly

1. CEIG approval
2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from Tangedco
3. Ministry clearance
4. Reverse test report (RTR) from local Tangedco

 Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity.
Delhi 1 kW – NA* Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from DISCOM		 In order to promote the third party owned systems and avoid complexities around evaluation and monitoring of wheeling/banking/open access charges, the net metering rooftop solar arrangements are specifically exempted from these charges
Telangana 1 kW–1 MW Half-yearly 1. CEIG Approval
2. The Net metering connection agreement has to be executed by the Consumer with the DISCOM within 15 days of receipt of the technical feasibility approval
3. On inspection of the equipment SPV system are to be synchronized within 10 working days, provided the systems are installed as per the norms and standards		 1. Tariff payable by the DISCOM is the APCC of the DISCOM
2. Exempted from transmission charges, transmission loss, wheeling charge, wheeling loss, cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge
3. The CDM benefits shall be retained by the consumer for the first year and second year onwards, 10%, progressively increasing by 10% each year till the benefits are shared in equal proportion
Gujarat 1 kW–1 MW Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. Net metering approval (OPEX project not allowed under net metering regulation. Only CAPEX projects considered for net metering) or NOC from DISCOM 		Project wise Statutory fees, testing fees, supervision charges, application fees etc. are applicable and varies time to time as policy changes
Andhra Pradesh 1 kW–1 MW Quarterly 1. CEIG approval
2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from DISCOM		 No Distribution losses and charges will be collected from the Eligible Developers /Group /Society /Individuals by the DISCOMs. All other charges shall be applicable as per the Tariff Order amended from time to time.
West Bengal 5 kW–not specified Yearly 1. CEIG approval
2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from DISCOM		 Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity.
Puducherry NA–500 kWp; Yearly 1. CEA (Central electrical authority) approval
2. Net metering approval (if applicable)		 Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. The consumer and the DISCOM will enter into a Net Metering Connection Agreement, which shall remain in force for 20 years, in the prescribed format after the roof-top solar PV system is installed but before it is synchronized with the distribution network

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

The rooftop solar system installed on eligible consumer premises, are exempt from payment of banking and wheeling charges and losses, cross subsidy and additional surcharge etc. Project wise Statutory fees, testing fees, supervision charges, application fees etc. are applicable and varies time to time as policy changes

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–2 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. No net metering

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Rooftop solar PV system under gross metering scheme / net metering scheme, whether self-owned or third party owned and installed on eligible consumer premises are exempt from payment of wheeling and cross subsidy surcharge.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Any eligible consumer under the Rajasthan Net Metering Regulations may obtain approval for installation of rooftop solar system on its premises under net metering arrangement in accordance with the Rajasthan Net Metering Regulations and execution of an interconnection agreement for net metering with the distribution licensee.

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Rooftop PV solar power plants under net metering arrangement are exempt from payment of wheeling, banking and cross subsidy surcharges.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval (Applicable above 1MW)
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable up to 1 MW)

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity. In case it is a ground mount project then banking and wheeling charges may be applicable

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

NA–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or a ‘no-objection certificate’ from the applicable local distribution utility.The consumer and the distribution utility will enter into a Net Metering Connection Agreement in the prescribed format after the roof-top solar PV system is installed but before it is synchronized with the distribution network.

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

While the Haryana Solar Policy has waived electricity taxes, electricity cess, electricity duty, and cross subsidy charges etc., but Transmission, wheeling and banking charges may be applicable as per the guidelines and orders issued by the HERC from time to time.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

Consumers under Low Tension category except Hut and Agricultural category of tariff

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from Tangedco
  3. Ministry clearance
  4. Reverse test report (RTR) from local Tangedco

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW – NA*

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from DISCOM

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

In order to promote the third party owned systems and avoid complexities around evaluation and monitoring of wheeling/banking/open access charges, the net metering rooftop solar arrangements are specifically exempted from these charges

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Half-yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. The Net metering connection agreement has to be executed by the Consumer with the DISCOM within 15 days of receipt of the technical feasibility approval
  3. On inspection of the equipment SPV system are to be synchronized within 10 working days, provided the systems are installed as per the norms and standards

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

  1. Tariff payable by the DISCOM is the APCC of the DISCOM
  2. Exempted from transmission charges, transmission loss, wheeling charge, wheeling loss, cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge
  3. The CDM benefits shall be retained by the consumer for the first year and second year onwards, 10%, progressively increasing by 10% each year till the benefits are shared in equal proportion

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Net metering approval (OPEX project not allowed under net metering regulation. Only CAPEX projects considered for net metering) or NOC from DISCOM

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Project wise Statutory fees, testing fees, supervision charges, application fees etc. are applicable and varies time to time as policy changes

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

1 kW–1 MW

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Quarterly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from DISCOM

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

No Distribution losses and charges will be collected from the Eligible Developers /Group /Society /Individuals by the DISCOMs. All other charges shall be applicable as per the Tariff Order amended from time to time.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

5 kW–not specified

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEIG approval
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable) or NOC from DISCOM

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering i.e. Upper cap and Lower cap

NA–500 kWp;

Banking Norms for Rooftop

Yearly

Key Approvals required for Rooftop

  1. CEA (Central electrical authority) approval
  2. Net metering approval (if applicable)

DISCOMs

Key Regulatory Charges/exemptions for Rooftop (if any) For more details visit individual DISCOM website.

Transmission and wheeling charges will not be applicable to rooftop solar projects to the extent there is no wheeling of such electricity



* Subject to
- feasibility of interconnection with grid
- available capacity of service line connection of consumer of premise
- the sanctioned load of consumer of the premise

Source: Centre for Energy Finance, Individual DISCOM websites

Disclaimer: The information presented above is for educational purposes only. All the data provided in the article above are approximate values derived from third party sources, research articles or on ground experience and CleanMax would take no responsibility or have any obligation over the correctness of data. The regulatory policies get updated from time to time and it is highly encouraged that you head over to individual DISCOM sites to refer the latest changes.


Acronyms Used:

NOC No Objection Certificate
HERC Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission
APPC Average Power Purchase Cost
CEIG Chief Electrical Inspector to Government
CDM Clean Development Mechanism
Frequently Asked Questions
How much area is needed for a solar power plant installation?
Typically, a 100 kWp solar power plant could be set up in 1000 sq. metres.
The amount of energy produced depends on different factors like capacity of the solar power plant installed, amount of solar radiation received, efficiency of solar panels used etc. In India, on an average, a 1MWp solar plant produces 15 lac units per annum. As far as the panels are concerned, they come with different rated specifications such as 320 Wp, 350 Wp etc.
Properly installed solar plants should not cause any damage to your roof. In fact, they add to the aesthetics of the roof. They also tend to protect the roofing materials they cover by shielding them from precipitation, light, and heat. CleanMax does use non-penetration solutions for installing rooftop solar plants to avoid drilling. For RCC roofs, concrete blocks are set up on the rooftop and panels are mounted on these blocks. Hence, no drilling is required on the roof. For metallic roofs, rails are set up on the roof before the installation of solar power plant.
Ideally, solar power plants are installed to convert the sun’s energy directly into electricity. Batteries help in storing the additional energy for later use. But, in general, batteries are costly and require huge maintenance. Thus, the usage of batteries is still not a viable option in India in terms of cost incurred versus benefits accrued. Also, most of these are not lithium ion batteries and hence, the purpose of going green gets defeated. That’s where the concept of net metering comes into the picture. In Net Metering, the grid acts as a huge bank & stores your extra solar power, eliminating the need for an expensive battery bank. A small battery backup system should be sufficient for power outages.
Solar trackers are the devices which direct solar panels or modules towards the sun. These devices change the module orientation throughout the day to follow the sun’s path to maximise energy radiated over them. It has been observed that trackers increase the efficiency of solar panels by 15-20%.
Although solar systems work wonderfully in any and every part of the country, the southern, western and central regions of India are best suited because of the ample amount of sunshine they receive throughout the year.
Solar photovoltaic panels have no moving parts, and therefore require little maintenance, which will include module cleaning with water every 2-4 weeks and preventive electrical maintenance every 3 months.
The solar panels have a warranty for a period of 25 years. However, the projected life is longer.