Gujarat Alkalies, Fourth Partner to Develop 39 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Project

MHI’s Advanced Chemistry Cell Manufacturing Tender Receives Strong Response

PM Surya Ghar Achieves 67% of Target, Nears 20 GW Capacity

CERC Revises Grid Connectivity Rules for Renewables and Storage

China Proposes Amendments to Introduce Market-based Pricing of Renewable Energy

Gujarat May Need 50 Tons a Day of Solar Module Recycling Capacity by 2035

Daily News Wrap-Up: India’s Solar Capacity Rises 21% YoY in 9M 2026

Calibrant Energy Secures $145 Million for Solar, Battery Storage Projects

Delayed Grid Upgrades Challenge Maharashtra’s Rising Power Demand

India’s Solar Manufacturing Sector Heading for Consolidation: Interview


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/amazon_polly_108055.mp3?version=1794287851">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>Furnace manufacturing involves energy-intensive operations, making electricity costs a significant component of operating expenses. Rising power tariffs have prompted manufacturers to explore rooftop solar installations to reduce their dependence on grid electricity and improve long-term cost predictability.</p>
<p>West Bengal-based furnace manufacturer Melt O Therm Furnaces decided to adopt solar power to address rising electricity costs associated with its operations.</p>
<p>It installed a 250 kW rooftop solar system at its facility in Rautara, North 24 Parganas, to reduce electricity expenses and support sustainable manufacturing.</p>
<p>The solar system, installed by <a href="https://fenderenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fender Energy</a> (Fender Vertex Solutions), is expected to generate annual electricity bill savings of approximately ₹1.8 million (~$18,800), with an estimated payback period of three years.</p>
<p>Before installing the rooftop solar system, the company&#8217;s average monthly electricity consumption was approximately148.68 MWh , equivalent to 1.78 million units annually.</p>
<p>The 250 kW rooftop solar system uses 550 W monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear contact (Mono PERC) modules manufactured by Anchor by Panasonic.</p>
<p>The installation is equipped with two 100 kW Solis string inverters and an aluminium mini-rail, non-penetrative mounting structure.</p>
<p>According to the installer, the project did not encounter any major installation challenges. However, the presence of aluminium dust particles at the facility required additional consideration during system planning.</p>
<p>To address potential dust accumulation on the solar modules, the installer incorporated provisions for regular cleaning and maintenance to maintain system performance and minimize generation losses.</p>
<p>Fender Energy had earlier <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/leather-products-manufacturer-banks-on-rooftop-solar-for-power-bill-savings?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">installed</a> a 509 kW rooftop solar system for leather products manufacturer Maple Accessories in West Bengal, with estimated annual electricity savings of ₹4.62 million.</p>
<p>The company also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/howrah-pvc-pipe-manufacturer-expects-to-save-big-with-rooftop-solar-system?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">executed</a> a 200 kW rooftop solar project for Bengal Pipe in Howrah and a <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/west-bengal-cold-storage-operator-turns-to-solar-to-reduce-power-bills?">250 kW installation</a> for cold storage operator Radharani Himghar in Bankura.</p>
<p>Mercom India hosts a multi-city Clean Energy Meet series to bring renewable energy developers, vendors, and C&amp;I energy consumers to the same platform, helping them share insights on rooftop solar, open access, and other modes of clean energy procurement. The next event in the series will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-pune" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Pune, Maharashtra, in November 2026.</p>


Rooftop Solar Helps West Bengal Furnace Manufacturer Cut Down Power Costs


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/amazon_polly_107439.mp3?version=1793016243">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>Industrial establishments accounted for the second-largest share in India&#8217;s rooftop solar market in the second quarter of 2026, according to <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q2-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India&#8217;s Q2 2026 Rooftop Solar Market</a>.</p>
<p>Advantages like a high energy yield per unit of roof space, reduced dependence on the grid, reliable power supply and significant power cost savings are pushing many industrial establishments to turn to rooftop solar for their electricity requirements.</p>
<p>West Bengal-based leather products manufacturer <a href="https://maple-accessories.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maple Accessories</a> has installed a 509 kW rooftop solar system at its manufacturing facility to reduce electricity costs and meet the sustainability requirements of international buyers.</p>
<p>The solar project was developed by <a href="https://fenderenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fender Energy</a> (Fender Vertex Solutions), using monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear contact (Mono PERC) modules and string inverters.</p>
<p>The company expects the rooftop solar installation to generate annual electricity bill savings of approximately ₹4.624 million (~$48,708), with an estimated investment payback period of two years and four months.</p>
<p>As an export-oriented leather products manufacturer, Maple Accessories adopted rooftop solar to reduce its dependence on grid electricity and improve the cost competitiveness of its products in international markets.</p>
<p>Before installing the rooftop solar system, the manufacturing facility consumed approximately 62,215 kWh of electricity per month, making electricity a recurring operational expense.</p>
<p>The rooftop solar project is expected to offset a portion of the facility&#8217;s grid electricity consumption during daylight hours, reducing its electricity bills.</p>
<p>The 509 kWp system comprises 550 Wp Mono PERC solar modules and inverters supplied by ABB, Sungrow, and Growatt.</p>
<p>The modules are installed using anodized aluminum seam-clamp mounting structures with a non-penetrative, low-ballast design.</p>
<p>The mounting arrangement allows the solar panels to be secured to the rooftop without penetrating the roof surface, helping preserve the roof covering and minimize the risk of water leakage.</p>
<p>The system&#8217;s design also enables Maple Accessories to utilize its existing rooftop space for electricity generation without allocating additional land for the project.</p>
<p>According to Fender Energy, the project was completed through careful planning and coordination, with no major installation challenges. The installer said the system was commissioned with minimal disruption to the manufacturer&#8217;s regular operations.</p>
<p>Recently, another Howrah-based manufacturer, Bengal Pipe, <a href="https://test.mercomindia.com/howrah-pvc-pipe-manufacturer-expects-to-save-big-with-rooftop-solar-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">installed</a> a 200 kW rooftop solar system developed by Fender Energy. The PVC pipe manufacturer expects annual electricity savings of approximately ₹2.5 million (~$26,335).</p>
<p>Mercom India hosts a multi-city Clean Energy Meet series to bring renewable energy developers, vendors, and C&amp;I energy consumers to the same platform, helping them share insights on rooftop solar, open access, and other modes of clean energy procurement. The next event in the series will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-pune" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Pune, Maharashtra, in November 2026.</p>


Leather Products Manufacturer Banks on Rooftop Solar for Power Bill Savings


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/amazon_polly_107249.mp3?version=1792414268">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>Rising electricity costs are pushing industrial consumers to adopt rooftop solar systems to cut operating expenses and reduce dependence on grid power.</p>
<p>Manufacturing facilities with available rooftop space can use solar energy to meet a part of their electricity requirements and achieve long-term savings.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bengalpipeindustries.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bengal Pipe</a>, a PVC pipe manufacturer in Amta, Howrah, West Bengal, has installed a 200-kW rooftop solar system at its manufacturing facility.</p>
<p>The system, installed by <a href="https://fenderenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fender Energy</a>, can generate up to 25,500 units of electricity per month, with estimated annual electricity cost savings of ₹2.5 million (~$26,379).</p>
<p>The project was commissioned last year. The installation process, from procurement to completion, took approximately 30 days.</p>
<p>The rooftop solar system comprises RenewSys 590 Wp TOPCon bifacial solar modules and two Solis inverters, each rated at 100 kW.</p>
<p>The project has generated a cumulative 306.8 MWh of electricity.</p>
<p>Although the project was commissioned in August 2025, delays in the net metering approval process meant the installer installed the net meter only in September 2026.</p>
<p>During this period, the company operated the rooftop solar system with a zero-export device to prevent surplus solar electricity from entering the grid.</p>
<p>According to Fender Energy, the installation and commissioning were completed without any major difficulties. However, the company encountered a maintenance-related challenge after the system became operational.</p>
<p>The PVC pipe manufacturing process releases sticky substances through the factory&#8217;s ventilation system, which settle on the solar modules.</p>
<p>These substances can accumulate on the module surfaces, affecting performance and reducing electricity generation.</p>
<p>To address this issue, Bengal Pipe&#8217;s maintenance team regularly cleans the solar modules to prevent deposits from accumulating and minimize their impact on electricity generation.</p>
<p>According to Mercom’s Q2 and 1H 2026 India Rooftop Solar Market Report, India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q2-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a> 6.6 GW of rooftop solar capacity in the first half (1H) of calendar year 2026, up 131% from the 2.8 GW installed in 1H 2025.</p>
<p>Residential installations accounted for 84% of total additions. Industrial installations accounted for 10%, followed by commercial installations at 5%, and government installations at 1%.</p>
<p>Mercom India hosts a multi-city Clean Energy Meet series to bring renewable energy developers, vendors, and C&amp;I energy consumers to the same platform, helping them share insights on rooftop solar, open access, and other modes of clean energy procurement. The next event in the series will be <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-pune" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> in Pune, Maharashtra, in November 2026.</p>


Howrah PVC Pipe Manufacturer Expects to Save Big with Rooftop Solar System


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/amazon_polly_106182.mp3?version=1791181080">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>Running a cold storage facility is an energy-intensive operation, with refrigeration systems requiring a steady supply of electricity to maintain temperature-controlled conditions. The high electricity consumption can translate into substantial operating expenses, making rooftop solar an option for reducing grid power costs.</p>
<p>Radharani Himghar, a cold storage operator in Kotulpur, in West Bengal&#8217;s Bankura district, has installed a 250 kW rooftop solar project to reduce its electricity bills and operating costs.</p>
<p>The project was executed by <a href="https://fenderenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fender Energy</a>.</p>
<p>Radharani Himghar operates cold storage facilities primarily for potato farmers and traders.</p>
<p>The cold storage facility&#8217;s average annual electricity consumption before the installation was approximately 120 MWh.</p>
<p>According to the installer, the rooftop solar system is expected to generate annual electricity bill savings of approximately ₹2.8 million (~$29,182), with an estimated payback period of two years and eight months.</p>
<p>The project uses 585 Wp TOPCon bifacial modules from Anchor by Panasonic. It also uses two 125 kW Solis string inverters and a fixed-tilt mounting structure with a 15-degree inclination.</p>
<p>Installing a solar project on a cold storage facility presented structural challenges because of limitations on the amount of additional weight that could be placed on the rooftop.</p>
<p>Fender Vertex Solutions said it addressed the weight constraint by using Galvalume for the mounting structure, allowing it to reduce the structural load associated with the installation.</p>
<p>The developer also encountered challenges related to West Bengal&#8217;s net metering policies during project implementation.</p>
<p>India added 6.6 GW of rooftop solar capacity in the first half (1H) of 2026, up 131% year-over-year (YoY) from 2.8 GW, according to Mercom India Research’s newly released <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/rooftop-solar-market-report-q2-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q2 and 1H 2026 India Rooftop Solar Market Report</a>.</p>
<p>Mercom India hosts a pan-India C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet series, bringing renewable energy developers and commercial and industrial power consumers together to discuss clean energy adoption. The next event in the series will be held in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-lucknow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucknow </a>on October 9, 2026.</p>


fender-energy

Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.

RECENT POSTS