Daily News Wrap-Up: Maharashtra’s Storage Rule Alters Rooftop Solar Economics

CERC Rejects Connectivity Start Date for 700 MW Solar Project

India’s Floating Solar Pipeline Tops 1 GW, But Vast Potential Remains Untapped

Karnataka Proposes Lower Levelized Tariffs for Solar Projects

Create Energy Acquires SOL Components from Kloeckner Metals

Nautilus Solar Renews $600 Million Debt Facility for Community Solar

IIT Palakkad Floats Tender for 1.25 MW Solar Project

UREDA Tenders 6.5 MW Rooftop Solar Projects on Government Buildings

Tripura Tenders 47.5 MW Rooftop Solar Projects for Residential Consumers

Rajasthan Directs DISCOMs to Honor ALMM-II Exemptions for PM Surya Ghar


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					</table><p>India&#8217;s floating solar market is gaining momentum, with the project pipeline now exceeding 1 GW <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> and cumulative commissioned capacity also approaching the same level, according to data from the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Renewable Energy Project Tracker</a> dashboard.</p>
<p>However, the absence of projects in the pre-construction stage points to limited near-term capacity additions beyond the current pipeline.</p>
<p>As India&#8217;s renewable energy targets continue to expand, securing large contiguous land parcels is becoming increasingly challenging, particularly in densely populated states. Floating solar offers a strategic alternative by unlocking underutilized water bodies for power generation, reducing dependence on land while minimizing conflicts with agricultural, industrial, and residential development.</p>
<p>Floating solar also offers generation advantages over ground-mounted systems. Solar modules lose efficiency as operating temperatures rise. Since floating solar projects are installed over water, the cooling effect can lower module temperatures and improve performance.</p>
<p>Mercom India has previously <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/floating-solar-appealing-interview?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that floating solar projects can generate 5% to 7% more energy than comparable ground-mounted systems due to lower operating temperatures. The resulting improvement in generation can help offset some of the additional costs associated with floating structures and anchoring systems.</p>
<p>The technology also supports water conservation. Floating arrays partially shade water surfaces, reducing direct sunlight exposure and evaporation. This can be particularly valuable in water-stressed regions where reservoirs support irrigation, drinking water supply, hydropower generation, or industrial operations.</p>
<p>Beyond generation gains and water conservation benefits, floating solar can also complement existing hydropower infrastructure.</p>
<p>Floating solar projects located on reservoirs can also complement hydropower generation by using existing evacuation infrastructure. Solar generation during the day can help conserve water in the reservoir, which can then be used for hydropower generation during evening peak demand.</p>
<p>Despite its advantages, floating solar projects remain significantly more complex and capital-intensive than conventional ground-mounted projects. Developers must address site-specific engineering challenges, including anchoring and mooring design, fluctuating water levels, corrosion management, environmental considerations, and long-term operations and maintenance requirements.</p>
<p>The lack of standardization across water bodies and project sites has also limited scalability, making most floating solar projects highly site-specific. Reducing costs through standardization and technological innovation will be critical for broader adoption.</p>
<p>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-identifies-over-102-gw-floating-solar-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assessed</a> India’s floating solar potential at over 102.18 GW, indicating that less than 1% of the country&#8217;s identified opportunity has been developed so far. The ministry is planning a dedicated program to accelerate deployment and provide greater clarity on project development and risk allocation.</p>
<p>While floating solar currently represents only a small fraction of India&#8217;s installed solar capacity, its role in India&#8217;s renewable energy mix is expected to grow as developers seek alternatives to increasingly constrained land resources. The technology offers a rare combination of benefits, avoiding land-use conflicts, improving generation performance, reducing water evaporation, and leveraging existing transmission infrastructure at reservoirs and hydropower facilities.</p>
<p>The segment&#8217;s long-term growth, however, will depend on whether developers, policymakers, and financiers can overcome the higher costs and execution complexities associated with floating projects. If these barriers can be addressed, floating solar could evolve from a niche segment into a meaningful contributor to India&#8217;s next phase of renewable energy growth.</p>
<p>Recent tender activity suggests that government agencies and utilities continue to evaluate floating solar as a viable deployment option despite the sector&#8217;s greater execution complexity. According to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker,</a>  multiple agencies have issued tenders for over 350 MW of floating solar projects.</p>
<p>Subscribe to <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product-category/india-reports/trackers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Market Trackers</a> dashboard for a comprehensive suite of renewable energy trackers and datasets covering projects, manufacturing, policy, pricing, trade, and market trends across India.</p>



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					</table><p>India&#8217;s large-scale solar project pipeline has crossed a significant milestone, exceeding 200 GW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> for the first time, according to data from the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Renewable Energy Project Tracker</a>.</p>
<p>The milestone underscores the scale of project development underway across the country and reinforces the view that India&#8217;s target of 280 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030 is increasingly within reach.</p>
<p>More than 150 GW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />, representing nearly 75% of the total pipeline, is currently under development, while approximately 51 GW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> is in the pre-construction stage. The strong pipeline reflects sustained investor interest and developer confidence despite evolving policy requirements, transmission constraints, and supply chain challenges.</p>
<p>India&#8217;s operational large-scale solar capacity currently stands at over 134 GW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />.</p>
<p>The composition of operational capacity also reflects evolving market dynamics. Central sector projects account for approximately 38% of installed large-scale solar capacity, state sector projects represent about 35%, and open access projects contribute nearly 26%.</p>
<p>The growing share of open access projects demonstrates the increasing role of commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) consumers in India&#8217;s energy transition. Rising electricity costs, sustainability commitments, and greater familiarity with renewable energy procurement mechanisms continue to drive demand from the C&amp;I segment.</p>
<p>The strong development pipeline comes on the back of record solar installations. According to Mercom India&#8217;s Q1 2026 India Solar Market Update Report, India installed 15.3 GW of solar capacity during the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly total ever recorded. Cumulative installed solar capacity exceeded 152 GW as of March 2026.</p>
<p>The robust solar pipeline and record capacity additions in 2025 suggest that India is well-positioned to achieve its target of 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel-based renewable energy capacity by 2030. The target for installed solar capacity is 280 GW, which means India must add about 130 GW between now and 2030, averaging 30 GW per year over the next four years. Given the pace of recent capacity additions and the strength of the development pipeline, the target appears achievable, provided project execution remains on track.</p>
<p>In 2025, India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-posts-historic-solar-growth-with-36-6-gw-installed-in-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a> an unprecedented 36.6 GW of solar capacity, a 43% increase from 25.6 GW in 2024. This growth was supported by utility-scale project commissioning, rising open access demand, and improved project execution across several states.</p>
<p>While the target appears achievable, a recent policy initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has raised concerns among stakeholders. The introduction of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers List-II for solar cells from June 1, 2026, could slow capacity additions in the short term. ALMM List-II mandates that all projects complying with ALMM List-I for solar modules must use domestically manufactured cells.</p>
<p>The solar cell mandate was introduced to create an indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem that reduces reliance on imports. However, while India’s solar module manufacturing capacity is more than adequate, cell manufacturing has lagged. In May, the cumulative module manufacturing capacity under ALMM <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-module-capacity-under-almm-rises-to-193-gw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stood</a> at 193 GW, while that of cells had only <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-cell-capacity-under-almm-list-ii-nears-30-gw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reached</a> 30.5 GW.</p>
<p>The industry fears ALMM List-II-compliant solar cells will be in short supply, hampering capacity additions. The industry&#8217;s ability to rapidly scale domestic cell production will be critical to avoiding supply bottlenecks and sustaining the pace of solar deployment needed to meet national renewable energy targets.</p>
<p>Subscribe to <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product-category/india-reports/trackers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Market Trackers</a> for a comprehensive suite of renewable energy trackers and datasets covering projects, manufacturing, policy, pricing, trade, and market trends across India.</p>


India’s Large-Scale Solar Pipeline Tops 200 GW


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					</table><p>India’s average solar irradiance ranges from 3.5–5.5 kWh/m²/day across the country, with nearly every state offering significant potential for solar energy generation. However, several states with high irradiance and ample wasteland have failed to tap into the opportunity.</p>
<p>Last September, the National Institute of Solar Energy (<a href="https://nise.res.in/hi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NISE</a>) estimated a total feasible ground-mounted solar energy potential of a staggering 3,343 GWp, building on a 2014 figure of 748.98 GWp.</p>
<p>The gap between solar potential and capacity expansion is huge, even though India has made significant strides in solar capacity additions over the last few years, with 2025 <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-posts-historic-solar-growth-with-36-6-gw-installed-in-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">witnessing</a> an unprecedented 36.6 GW of installations. The numbers could have been far higher if some states had tapped even a small portion of their potential.</p>
<p>States such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand in the eastern and central Indian rust belt have conditions tailor-made for solar energy development. Together, the three states account for a potential of over 316 GW. However, their record in solar installations is dismal.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://datapulse.mercomindia.com/large-scale-solar?tab=Installations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom’s India Project Tracker </a>dashboard, Odisha has an operational solar capacity of just 624 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> and a pipeline of 1,431 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-96679 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />, against a potential of 139 GW. The state’s solar irradiance is in a healthy range of 3.76 to 5.24 kWh/m²/day.</p>
<p>The central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, with a solar potential of 126.48 GW, has an operational capacity of 1,142 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> and a pipeline of 282 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />. The state’s solar irradiance is in the 4.18 to 5.28/kWh/m2/day range.</p>
<p>Similarly, Jharkhand, which receives solar irradiance ranging from 3.7 to 5.21 kWh/m²/day, has only 140 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> of operational solar capacity and a pipeline of 490 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />.</p>
<p>All three states are home to energy-intensive industries, such as mining and mineral processing, and iron and steel.</p>
<p>Other states with significant solar potential include Bihar (32.99 GW), which has an operational capacity of 356 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> and a pipeline of 732 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />. The northeastern state of Assam is another with an identified potential solar capacity of 19.17 GW, but has only 299 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> of operational installations and a pipeline of 1,275 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />.</p>
<p>West Bengal is another laggard solar state, with 435 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" /> of projects in operation and a small pipeline of 131 MW<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-96679" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/icon-3-2-e1781760279241.png" alt="market-tracker-icon" width="20" height="16" />, while NISE has estimated its total solar energy potential at 22.74 GW.</p>
<p>The NISE report integrates advanced geospatial datasets and refined methodologies, accounting for key development constraints, including terrain (slope and aspect), sustainable land use, solar irradiance, and proximity to roads and electrical substations. It identifies a total feasible ground-mounted solar potential of 3,343 GWp across India, derived from 27,571 km² of suitable wasteland.</p>
<p>Apart from the well-known regions of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, which have vast wastelands and high irradiance, many other states also show significant capacity owing to favorable solar geometry and land-use efficiency, the report points out.</p>


High Irradiance, Low Installations: The Solar Gap in Eastern and Central India

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