To reduce its dependence on grid power, Lohia Corp, a manufacturer of machinery for the plastic-woven fabric industry, has installed a cumulative capacity of 2.7 MW of rooftop solar systems at its manufacturing plants in Uttar Pradesh.

The rooftop solar systems are expected to save the company nearly ₹28 million (~$315,437) in power costs in a year.

The company has installed a 2 MW system at its Chaubepur plant and a 775-kW system at its Panki plant.

The 2 MW rooftop system at the Chaubepur plant generates approximately 7,400 units daily and 222,000 units per month. The 775-kW rooftop system at Panki generates 2,900 units per day and 87,000 units per month.

With significant unutilized rooftop space at its Chaubepur and Panki plants, the company felt installing rooftop solar systems was ideal.

Machinery manufacturing is an energy-intensive process. Lohia was incurring nearly ₹5.8 million (~$65,340.5) in power expenses every month. The company decided to install rooftop solar systems to reduce its dependence on grid power and lower its electricity costs.

Lohia invested nearly ₹54 million (~$608,342) to install the 2 MW rooftop system, and ₹25,000 (~$281.6)/kW for the 775-kW system.

Roofsol Energy installed the rooftop solar panels integrating Jakson Solar’s 555Wp P-type monocrystalline modules and Sungrow’s string inverters.

Currently, 10% of its power needs are being met through the rooftop systems.

The Chaubepur plant is expected to yield an estimated ₹20 million (~$225,312) in savings in the first year, and the Panki plant nearly ₹8 million (~$90,124.8).

The rooftop systems have a net billing arrangement, allowing Lohia to receive credits for the electricity it exports to the grid.

Mohit Kaushik, Assistant General Manager (Business Development) at Roofsol Energy, noted that the varying rooftop orientations presented a challenge in installing the rooftop systems.

“The modules are installed in six different sheds. Each shed has a different roof orientation, slope, height, and structural capacity, making it difficult to optimize module placement. The power from different sheds also had to be synchronized at a single point of common coupling,” he added.

Kaushik said laying cables for the rooftop systems across multiple sheds involved crossing roads, drains, and operational areas, which complicated the project execution.

Roofsol said that Lohia is planning to install a 100 kW solar-battery energy storage arrangement for its car parking area. The solar-BESS arrangement will be used to charge electric vehicles in the facility.

Mercom India has been hosting a multi-city ‘C&I Clean Energy Meet’ series to equip commercial and industrial businesses with the knowledge and tools to adopt clean energy solutions and reduce power costs. The next event for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh C&I units is scheduled for October 16, 2025.