India records 53% increase in rooftop solar installations in Q2 FY21

In Q2 2021, India witnessed a 53 % quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) increase in rooftop solar installations, the highest for any quarter, with 521 MW installed compared to 341 MW in Q1 FY21. Data on the India Rooftop Solar Market Report Q2 2021 was recently released by Mercom India Research. Rooftop solar installations increased by 8% in Q1 2021, compared to 285 MW in Q4 2020. Gujarat made a significant contribution by commissioning a large number of residential rooftop solar projects. Installations increased 517% year over year (YoY) from 85 MW in Q2 2020. In the first half of 2021, 862 MW of rooftop solar was installed, up 210% from the same period the previous year. When the Covid-19 lockdowns took their toll on the industry in 1H, installations had already surpassed the total rooftop solar capacity installed in 2020 (719 MW). If no other adverse Covid-19-related or other events occur in the second half of 2021, it could be the second-best year for rooftop solar after 2018. Despite the second wave of the pandemic and state lockdowns, the report claims that installations were significantly higher than the previous quarter. The rooftop segment had a strong quarter, according to Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group, and demand is up. The net metering cap of 500 kW has been finalised, removing uncertainty for installers and paving the way for future expansion. However, he claims that inconsistent rooftop policies across states, as well as a lack of support from distribution companies, are preventing the sector from realising its full potential to attract new investment, create jobs, and propel the clean energy economy forward. By the end of Q2 2021, the total rooftop solar installations had reached 6.1 GW, as per the report. More than 130 MW of rooftop solar projects were tendered in Q2 2021, a 69% decrease from the previous quarter but a 46% increase year over year. Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam, Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam, Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency, and West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency all issued major rooftop solar tenders this quarter. Gujarat saw the most rooftop solar installations in Q2 2021, accounting for about 55% of the total capacity installed. In Q2 2021, Maharashtra and Haryana completed the top three states for rooftop solar. Image SourceAlso read: Lucknow Smart City floats tender for 8.5 MW rooftop solar systems