India’s open access solar installations in Q1 2021 at 419 MW

18 Jun 2021 CW Team

India made 419 MW open access solar installations in the first quarter of 2021, while the cumulative open access solar installations reached 4.3 GW in March 2021.

The project relates to the open-access market, amendments, price trends, and emerging business models. It has expanded even to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The project pipeline under development and in the pre-construction phase under the open access is estimated to be more than 1 GW.

The open-access market is providing an opportunity to developers and investors who do not participate in large project auctions. The developers can choose the customers to offtake the produced power and earn an attractive return on investment. For the distribution companies (DISCOMs), it works as a new avenue to bring private investment into the sector. It addresses the shortage of electricity and encourages the generation of green power.

As per the open-access reports from 2020 to 2021, installations peaked in Q1 2021, resulting in more open access projects in just one quarter as compared to the entire 2020.

On 31 March 2021, Karnataka was the largest open-access market, followed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

Installations have slowed down in the past two years in Karnataka. The top five states are approximately 76% of the total open access solar market in India as of March 2021.

In Q1 2021, Maharashtra was the top state for developing open access solar projects, having a total of 22% installations during this quarter.

Policy consistency and visibility are the driving factors of open access solar projects. However, the reports have found that the attractive policy of the state is not necessary for growth in open access installations. As per the reports, getting approval is difficult, and the state agencies are allegedly creating trouble in open access solar project implementation.

According to the report, the average open access tariff in the mentioned states ranged from Rs 3.50 per kWh to Rs 5 per kWh with a yearly escalation of 1-2% as per the contract terms.

Image Source

Also read: GERC nods amendments sought by GUVNL for power procurement by discoms

Also read: Govt mandates registry of solar manufacturers under ALMM

India made 419 MW open access solar installations in the first quarter of 2021, while the cumulative open access solar installations reached 4.3 GW in March 2021. The project relates to the open-access market, amendments, price trends, and emerging business models. It has expanded even to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The project pipeline under development and in the pre-construction phase under the open access is estimated to be more than 1 GW. The open-access market is providing an opportunity to developers and investors who do not participate in large project auctions. The developers can choose the customers to offtake the produced power and earn an attractive return on investment. For the distribution companies (DISCOMs), it works as a new avenue to bring private investment into the sector. It addresses the shortage of electricity and encourages the generation of green power. As per the open-access reports from 2020 to 2021, installations peaked in Q1 2021, resulting in more open access projects in just one quarter as compared to the entire 2020. On 31 March 2021, Karnataka was the largest open-access market, followed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Installations have slowed down in the past two years in Karnataka. The top five states are approximately 76% of the total open access solar market in India as of March 2021. In Q1 2021, Maharashtra was the top state for developing open access solar projects, having a total of 22% installations during this quarter. Policy consistency and visibility are the driving factors of open access solar projects. However, the reports have found that the attractive policy of the state is not necessary for growth in open access installations. As per the reports, getting approval is difficult, and the state agencies are allegedly creating trouble in open access solar project implementation. According to the report, the average open access tariff in the mentioned states ranged from Rs 3.50 per kWh to Rs 5 per kWh with a yearly escalation of 1-2% as per the contract terms. Image Source Also read: GERC nods amendments sought by GUVNL for power procurement by discoms Also read: Govt mandates registry of solar manufacturers under ALMM

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..