India Adds 6.1 GW Solar Open Access in 9M 2025, Driving Record Growth

India added about 6.1 GW of solar open access capacity in the first nine months of 2025, which represented roughly 28.3% of total large-scale solar additions during that period.

Key highlights of India’s solar growth in 9M 2025

• Total solar capacity added: 26.6 GW (Jan–Sep 2025), a 53.7% YoY increase from 17.3 GW in 2024.
• Large-scale vs rooftop split:
  • Large-scale projects: 81.5% of additions.
  • Rooftop solar: 18.5%.
• Open access contribution: Within large-scale projects, 28.3% came from open access, translating to ~6.1 GW capacity.
• Regional leaders: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat together contributed 76% of Q3 2025 capacity.
• Cumulative installed solar capacity: By September 2025, India’s total solar installations reached 125.5 GW.

Why open access solar is growing

• C&I demand: Commercial and industrial consumers procure renewable power outside DISCOMs via open access.
• ISTS waiver deadline: Commissioning rush before transmission cost exemptions expired.
• ALMM-II compliance window: Accelerated installations ahead of stricter rules.
• Corporate sustainability: Rising commitments drove direct renewable procurement.

Challenges ahead

• Grid congestion & curtailment: Transmission bottlenecks hinder smooth integration.
• Supply chain dependence: Limited domestic ingot–wafer capacity increases exposure to price volatility.
• Policy uncertainty: Upcoming ALMM List-II rules may raise costs and slow commissioning.

Strategic implications

• For businesses: Open access solar helps reduce energy costs and meet ESG targets.
• For policymakers: Strengthen transmission and domestic manufacturing to sustain momentum.
• For investors: Strong corporate demand with risks from supply chains and regulation.

India’s solar sector in 2025 is not just expanding — it’s diversifying, with open access emerging as a powerful driver of industrial decarbonization.