India’s solar open access market recorded 55% quarter-over-quarter growth in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, adding 2.7 GW, supported by favorable regulatory developments, proactive state-level policies, growing consumer awareness, and improved project execution across key markets. According to Mercom’s recently released Q1 2026 India Solar Open Access Market Report, installations could have been significantly higher if not for regulatory changes in states such as Maharashtra, grid constraints, and supply-side bottlenecks.

With power surpluses projected to range from 48 GW to 115 GW due to changes in the technical minimum generation level of coal-based power stations, India could be facing renewable energy curtailment across all 2030-31 scenarios, even in the absence of transmission constraints.

The large-scale deployment of trackers has been a key growth driver for India’s solar energy sector and has supported the country’s transition to renewables by improving energy output and reducing lifecycle costs compared with conventional fixed-tilt installations.

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission approved Noida Power Company’s bidding documents for procuring power from 80 MW/320 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems to be set up in Greater Noida. The Commission approved the bidding documents, noting that no capital subsidy will be available for the proposed arrangement.

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission rejected the petition filed by the Cochin Port Authority seeking adoption of a tariff of ₹4.75 (~$0.0498)/kWh for power from a proposed 1.5 MW floating solar project at Willingdon Island, Kochi. The Commission noted that the discovered tariff was significantly higher than recently approved solar tariffs, including tariffs for other floating solar projects.

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission made No Dues Certificates mandatory for the Andhra Pradesh State Load Despatch Center to process short-term open access power applications from consumers and generators. The order followed a request from the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company, which flagged dues of about ₹8.5 billion (~$89.27 million) owed by certain open access consumers and generators.

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission allowed a petition filed by a private company seeking directions to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to treat a 999 kW rooftop solar system under the net metering arrangement while availing open access. The Commission directed MSEDCL and the petitioner to reconcile the claim amount within 30 days of the order.

Energy Efficiency Services invited bids to set up a 2.5 MW solar project at the Velu substation in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The last date to submit bids is June 30, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work covers design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the solar project. It also entails comprehensive operation and maintenance for 12 years.

Energy Efficiency Services invited bids for the installation of a 50 MW grid-connected solar project with a 10 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage system at the IB thermal power station in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The scope of work includes design, engineering, supply, transportation, transit insurance, storage, installation, testing, commissioning, along with the associated internal pooling system, SCADA, energy management system, and plant boundary evacuation facilities at the site.

QE Solar, a provider of operations and maintenance and engineering services for solar, battery storage, and energy infrastructure, acquired Vanguard Energy Partners’ operations and maintenance division. Vanguard Energy Partners is a renewable energy engineering, procurement, and construction company. Its operations and maintenance division supports commercial and utility-scale renewable energy customers.

Eclipse, a European platform that develops, operates, and optimizes battery energy storage systems, raised €20 million (~$23 million) in a Series A financing round to expand battery storage deployment across Europe. The round was co-led by BNP Paribas and Noria, with participation from Eclipse’s existing investors, including Wind Capital.

38 Degrees North, a community solar and distributed renewable energy developer and operator, acquired 104 MW of community solar projects in Illinois from Cypress Creek Energy, an independent power producer. The portfolio comprises 16 advanced-stage projects across 14 counties in Illinois. The companies said the projects are expected to be placed in service by 2027.

Mumbai-based renewable energy solutions provider Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions (CleanMax) partnered with global technology company Meta Platforms to support the development of 837 MW of new solar and wind projects across Rajasthan and Karnataka. Combined with previously announced projects, the partnership now represents more than 900 MW of renewable energy capacity.

Pune-based precision transmission components manufacturer JAL Precision Products installed a 500 kW rooftop solar power project, which is expected to generate up to 750,000 units of electricity annually. The rooftop solar project will help JAL Precision increase the share of renewable energy in its operations and reduce dependence on grid power.