With a growing push for renewable energy adoption in India, it is not only commercial and industrial (C&I) units that are turning to solar energy, but also businesses in the agricultural sector.

One such example is the supermarket of Tota Utpannagala Marata Sahakara Sangha Niyamith (TUMCOS) in Channagiri, Davanagere district, Karnataka.

TUMCOS is a cooperative society that helps farmers market their farm produce, like areca nut and pepper, at its sales outlets.

The sales outlet installed a 127 kW rooftop solar system in 2023 and has saved over ₹2.4 million (~$27,855.83) on electricity bills in the past two years as a result.

“The cooperative society decided to switch to solar energy with the sole purpose of cost-cutting and increasing their savings. On average, it was spending ₹150,000 (~$1,741.56) to ₹180,000 (~$2,089.87) per month on power bills, which has significantly reduced,” said Rajesh R N, the civil engineer of the TUMCOS cooperative society who oversaw the solar installation.

The solar installation has reduced the monthly electricity bill by 72%. Currently, the cooperative society is only paying fixed charges of ₹50,000 (~$580.52) per month, which is a significant reduction from his earlier payments.

The solar system comprises 216 mono PERC modules, which generate 12,700 units of power per month.

“We spent ₹6.4 million (~$74,306.54) on the solar system and have saved about half the amount in power bills. In a matter of two to three years, we are expecting to recover the full cost of setting it up,” said Rajesh.

It is only in winter that the TUMCOS unit cannot fully rely on solar energy.

Solar GeNext Energy Solutions installed the rooftop solar system.

Businesses in the C&I sector across India are increasingly switching to clean energy. Rooftop solar systems have become a compelling option for saving on power costs and becoming more sustainable.

Shyam Snacks Food, a snacks manufacturer in Haryana, expanded the capacity of its rooftop solar system to 2.2 MW over four phases with the help of ARM Green Energy. The company halved its electricity expenses from ₹40 million (~$485,822) annually to ₹20 million (~$229,411) after adopting solar energy.

If you are looking for expert advice on switching to clean energy, Mercom India C&I Clean Energy Meets are a must-attend. These events provide a valuable opportunity for C&I consumers to meet industry experts who are eager to assist them in transitioning to clean energy.

The next C&I meet will be held in Hyderabad on August 22, 2025. Hyderabad is emerging as a key player in the clean energy sector, housing several solar power plants and innovative initiatives. With ongoing infrastructure upgrades to integrate solar technologies, the city is setting a benchmark for sustainable development.