Mercom Research Focus

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India’s Battery Storage Additions Jump 84-Fold to 8.2 GWh in 1H 2026

India added 8.2 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in the first half (1H) of 2026, nearly 84 times the 98.4 MWh installed during the same period last year, according...

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Rising Chinese Wafer Prices May Hit Indian Solar Cell Manufacturers

Recent market movements and policy developments in China are likely to affect India’s solar cell manufacturers. As per Shanghai Metals Market, Chinese M10 wafer spot...

September 10, 2026

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Melvin Mathew

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Manufacturing

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Mercom Research Focus
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Lower CTUIL Cost Benchmarks Ease Financial Closure for Renewable Projects

The Central Transmission Utility of India’s (CTUIL) sharp reduction in benchmark project costs could ease financial closure compliance for solar, wind, and battery...

September 10, 2026

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Arjun Joshi

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Grid

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Market & Policy

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Mercom Research Focus
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Rising PPA Tariffs Erase Gains from Lower Open Access Charges

The share of open access charges in landed solar power costs declined across most major states in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, following the revision of charges for...

September 9, 2026

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Sowndhiga U

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Mercom Research Focus

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Open Access

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Solar
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India’s Solar Cell Manufacturing Faces Test of Quality at Scale

India’s rapidly expanding solar cell manufacturing industry faces a challenge beyond adding production capacity: achieving consistent efficiency, yields,...

September 9, 2026

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Rakesh Ranjan

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Mercom Research Focus

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Solar
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Solar-Plus-Storage Under PM Surya Ghar 2.0 May Hinge on Subsidy Levels

Integrating battery energy storage with rooftop solar systems could improve residential power consumption and reduce reliance on the grid during non-solar hours, but it...

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CEA’s Proposed Storage Mandate Could Reshape Solar and Wind Project Economics

The Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) proposal to mandate co-located energy storage systems (ESS) for new ground-mounted solar and onshore wind projects could...

September 7, 2026

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Rakesh Ranjan

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Mercom Research Focus

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Renewable Energy
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India’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Boom Faces an R&D Reality Check

With a record solar capacity addition of 27 GW in the first half of 2026 and a 110 GWh storage pipeline, India’s clean energy build-out is gathering pace as the...

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Beyond the Leaders: States That Could Drive India’s Next Wave of Solar Open Access Growth

India’s solar open access market remains concentrated among a handful of states that have historically dominated installations. Cumulative solar open access capacity...

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Madhya Pradesh’s Open Access Additions Dip Sharply in Q2 2026

Madhya Pradesh’s solar open access market recorded a sharp decline in installations in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, as quarterly additions remained highly dependent...

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Energy Banking Rules are Reshaping Economics of Renewable Open Access

Changes to banking regulations, settlement mechanisms, and open access charges across states are altering the economics of renewable power procurement for commercial and...

September 2, 2026

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Arjun Joshi

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Mercom Research Focus

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Open Access

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Solar
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Solar Encapsulant Demand Rises as Glass-Glass Modules Squeeze Backsheets

The demand for solar encapsulants is rising alongside the temporary surge in module demand, following the extension of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers...

September 1, 2026

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Melvin Mathew

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Manufacturing

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Mercom Research Focus

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Solar
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Karnataka’s Large-Scale Solar Pipeline Nears 11 GW

Karnataka’s large-scale solar market is set for another phase of capacity expansion, with nearly 11 GW of projects under development and in the pre-construction stage....

September 1, 2026

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Arjun Joshi

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Market Tracker

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Solar

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Utility Scale
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Gujarat Energy Banking Reform Reduces Near-Term Costs for Open Access

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (GERC) decision to reduce banking charges to ₹1 (~$0.01)/kWh from ₹1.5 (~$0.015)/kWh after a 2.5-year interval has...

August 31, 2026

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Melvin Mathew

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Mercom Research Focus

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Solar
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Module Glut, DCR Cell Shortages, and Financing Risks Squeeze Solar Manufacturers

India’s push to build a domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem is creating new challenges for manufacturers. While policy measures such as the Approved List of Models...

August 31, 2026

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Rakesh Ranjan

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Mercom Research Focus

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Solar

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