Under the new DSPV system, citizens can install solar panels not just on the rooftop but also on the walls of buildings and any elevated structures on the ground, including carports and other structures in apartment communities and govt buildings.

The KERC’s latest order is viewed as a game changer for apartment communities, domestic consumers, govt buildings, and charitable institutions. The new DSPV method not only provides them with better revenue options for harnessing solar energy but also offers a lucrative tariff permitted through Virtual Net Metering (VNM) and Group Net Metering (GNM) models.

The new methods and tariff will be applicable to all solar projects commissioned after July 1, 2025, and will be valid for the next 25 years, according to the order.

The Karnataka Renewable Energy Association and Solar Manufacturers had requested KERC to allow setting up of solar panels on all elevated structures on the ground with a net-metering facility,besides permitting facade-integrated solar panels on the walls of buildings.

The KERC, considering the latest developments in solar technology, permitted it along with VNM and GNM.

Raghunandan A, president of Karnataka Renewable Energy Association, revealed VNM benefits multiple consumers within the same utility service area to share the benefits of a single solar power system, even if they do not have solar panels on their property.

“VNM is best suited for those who do not wish or cannot install solar on their own rooftops. But if they have invested in rooftop projects elsewhere in the same premises, they will receive credits on their electricity bills based on their share of the generated power,” he said.

Similarly, GNM is a method where a single consumer with multiple accounts can pool the solar energy generated from a single or multiple solar power plants and offset their electricity bills across all those accounts linked to the entity.

The VNM is seen as a shot in the arm for domestic consumers, group housing societies (apartments), institutions managed by charitable organisations, and govt buildings, including schools or those belonging to local bodies.”The minimum capacity of the solar plant under VNM would be 5kW, and the maximum size shall not exceed the combined sanctioned load of all participating consumers,” the KERC order said. Under VNM, consumers can sell their entire solar energy to the grid, but under GNM, the consumers must consume at least 20 per cent of the total energy generated by the solar plant in a month.

Better Tariff

To promote solar energy, KERC has offered the best tariff, according to stakeholders. “Consumers can avail Rs 3.86 per unit for up to 10kW, and Rs 3.8 per unit for power generated above 10 kW. Given the existing tariff structure for solar projects, this is a very decent tariff and will be a good revenue model for apartment communities as these earnings would balance their monthly maintenance expenditure,” explained a member of Karnataka Renewable Energy Association.

Cost per kW

1kW – 10 kW (Rs 40k/kW)
1 kW up to sanctioned load kW

(Rs 30k/kW)

Life of the Solar Plant
25 yrs
25 yrs

Debt equity Ratio & Debt
70:30 (Rs 28,000)
70:30 (Rs 21,000)

Debt repayment in years
13
13

Equity in rupees
Rs 12,000
Rs 9,000

O&M expenses (per kW)
Rs 791.31
Rs 791.31

Tariff per unit (without subsidy)
Rs 3.86
Rs 3.08

Tariff per unit (with subsidy)
Rs 2.30 (1 kW–2 kW)
Rs 2.48 (2 kW – 3 kW)
Rs 2.93 (3 kW & above)

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/now-karnataka-electricity-regulatory-commission-permits-citizens-to-install-solar-panels-on-walls-of-apartment-buildings/articleshow/123004203.cms?utm_

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An AMC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the electric bus charging stations at AMTS and BRTS bus terminals will be connected to solar panel systems.

Initially, the solar panels will be installed at the Ranip BRTS charging station, which will function as a floating route charging station for electric buses running on the western route.

The solar panel installations will then be introduced at Naranpura and Vastral charging stations and later at AMTS charging stations in Jamalpur, Vadaj, Sarangpur and other locations.

The green bus project falls under AMC’s Air Quality Management Cell, which is working on multiple projects to improve the city’s air quality. These include new pavement roads, park and garden development, urban forests/oxygen parks, mechanical smart parking systems, CNG furnaces in crematoriums, automated traffic regulation systems and procurement of CNG buses. The cell is now working on powering electric buses with solar energy, with over 34 EV charging stations to be set up at different locations, all equipped with solar panels.

The AMC also implemented several solar energy projects in the past.

In Feb 2024, it installed solar systems at water treatment plants in Kotarpur, Rasala and Jaspur. These installations are expected to save 1.6 to 2 million units of electricity annually.

In Sep 2024, the standing committee approved a proposal to set up a 30 MW ground-mounted solar park on 120 acres in Sheradi village of Sabarkantha for Rs 154 crore. The corporation will acquire the land through a 27-year lease agreement, with the facility expected to generate 41.20 million units annually, save Rs 20.60 crore in electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions by 37,704 tonnes per year.

The AMC has also invested in wind energy projects across various talukas of Kutch, saving Rs 191.71 crore from 21 MW wind energy projects and Rs 8.75 crore from 7 MW solar plants.

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/amc-plans-solar-powered-ev-charging-stations-for-its-buses/articleshow/122672779.cms?utm_

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Through one of the largest investments seen so far in the solar manufacturing space in India, the plant in Greater Noida will boost SAEL’s total module manufacturing capacity to 8.5 GW.

Construction is expected to begin this year.

The move aligns with India’s push to localise solar manufacturing. From June 2026, only domestically made solar cells from approved manufacturers will be allowed in government projects.

India currently has 80 GW of module manufacturing capacity but about 15 GW of cell capacity, with most modules relying on Chinese imports.

SAEL operates assets capable of generating more than 6.7 GW of solar power, including operational and constructional projects, and aims to drive that to 10 GW in three years. The company has already raised more than $2.4 billion in equity and debt, and has issued a $305-million green bond in 2024.

“By 2030, tentatively, we are looking at a power generation capacity of around 18 to 20GW as an independent power producer,” Laxit Awla, CEO of SAEL Industries said.

The company also plans to file for an initial public offering this year, Awla said, declining to share more details about the timing and size of the IPO.

SAEL’s revenue from its biomass and independent power production business nearly doubled to 6.87 billion rupees in fiscal 2025 from fiscal 2023. The company aims to grow its revenue from these businesses to 30.94 billion rupees by fiscal year 2027.

($1 = 85.9500 Indian rupees)

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/indian-clean-energy-firm-sael-invest-954-mln-solar-manufacturing-plant-2025-07-14/

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