The All India Renewable Energy Association (AIREA) has expressed serious concern over recent changes in solar approvals by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), stating the move could significantly affect residential rooftop solar adoption in Nagpur and across the State.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, AIREA Director Saket Suri said restricting consumers from installing solar systems based on their future needs would discourage adoption and undermine the objective of promoting rooftop installations. He noted that Nagpur has recorded one of the highest rooftop solar penetration levels in the country, and such limitations could dent consumer confidence and disrupt ongoing projects.
Since February 13, consumers applying for rooftop systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme are reportedly receiving approvals based on their average electricity consumption over the past 12 months rather than projected future requirements. Earlier, consumers were allowed to install solar capacity aligned with anticipated usage.Suri warned that the new restriction could adversely impact more than 60% of residential solar orders already booked in Maharashtra, one of the country’s largest rooftop solar markets.
The limitation is particularly challenging for new homeowners, who lack consumption history and therefore qualify only for small-capacity systems despite having higher actual needs. Housing societies are also facing hurdles, as collective solar installations are being restricted to the consumption recorded on a single meter instead of aggregated demand.
The Association pointed out that no detailed policy notification or industry consultation has been issued so far, with the change allegedly implemented directly through the approval portal. This, it said, creates uncertainty for both consumers and solar integrators and could slow installations under the national renewable energy push led by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Solar integrators argued that electricity consumption typically rises after solar installation as households begin using appliances, electric vehicles, and other systems they previously avoided due to high power costs. Restricting capacity based on past usage, they said, ignores this natural shift toward electrification.Suri also flagged concerns over surplus electricity generated by consumers, which is accumulated by distribution companies and compensated at relatively low feed-in tariffs—often adjusted against future bills rather than paid directly—reducing financial returns for households.AIREA has urged authorities to review the implementation and engage with industry stakeholders to ensure consumer demand and national solar goals remain aligned.
If MSEDCL does not roll back the new policy within a week, AIREA, with support from other industrial organisations, will launch a statewide agitation, Suri warned.Power expert and AIREA advisor Sudhir Budhay, along with solar integrators Krunal Itankar, Vikram Dadhiwal, Yogesh Tayade, Suraj Gupta, and Ruturaj Katole, were also present at the press conference.
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