ENGIE, NLC India, Rays Power Among Winners of SECI’s 1.2 GW Solar Plus 3.6 GWh Storage Auction

Textile Firm Agarwal Industries Benefits from Rooftop Solar Switch

NTPC Subsidiary Invites Bids for 7 MW Rooftop Solar Systems in Odisha

EV Charging Firm ROADGRID Raises ₹120 Million in Pre-Series A Round

BIRAC Invites Proposals for Biomass-to-Green Hydrogen Pilot Projects

Trump Withdraws US from Global Climate Pacts, Solar Alliance, and IRENA

POWERGRID Wins 3 GW Renewable Energy Transmission Projects in Karnataka

Daily News Wrap-Up: Andhra Pradesh Approves ₹158 Billion in Clean Energy Projects

PM Green Wins WBSEDCL’s 250 MW/1,000 MWh Standalone BESS Auction

China Issues Guidance on Strengthening Solar Intellectual Property Rights


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/amazon_polly_88197.mp3?version=1766418263">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>Large apartments incur significant costs to power their common areas. Raheja Vistas, a condominium in Mumbai with over 850 flats, was spending up to ₹17 million (~$187,881) annually to light up the common areas until they installed an 810-kW rooftop solar system.</p>
<p>The rooftop installation, commissioned in June 2025, covers between 90% and 100% of the residents&#8217; power needs, saving the residents ₹15 million (~$165,777) annually.</p>
<p>This was made possible by the subsidy provided under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.</p>
<p>The project was set up with central financial assistance of ₹9 million (~$98,995.5).  The PM Surya Ghar Program provides a subsidy for group housing societies for up to 500 kW projects, capped at 3 kW per household and ₹18,000 (~$197.9)/kW.</p>
<p>The rooftop solar system, installed by <a href="https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&amp;pf=1&amp;ai=DChsSEwjaueWZq8SRAxV-o2YCHVZnNY4YACICCAEQABoCc20&amp;co=1&amp;ase=2&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAxonKBhC1ARIsAIHq_lsft3AjUQ_HNcXa9rD8MxktRFSYdEs1sw8peb91EefXYxyoG6zzCJ0aAu6GEALw_wcB&amp;cid=CAASWeRoGLXn3L-Q7sS5NGqDQzYDD669F59sZeSBJWXHqxpu4rvUNX9UZQcY0cvD82o9zipi0IjBDySl4aox6pUCYRNfbN28CYeUG8Ty_7W9UFHSEB0wtHcWaNn9&amp;cce=2&amp;category=acrcp_v1_32&amp;sig=AOD64_1GyDYNnXViQ8VzkzKSu2_WYylvtw&amp;q&amp;nis=4&amp;adurl=https://www.solarsquare.in/go-solar?utm_term%3Dsolar%2520square%26utm_campaign%3DDR_Search_Brand_AllCities_Jan13%26utm_source%3Dadwords%26utm_medium%3Dppc%26hsa_acc%3D1384667780%26hsa_cam%3D19566406052%26hsa_grp%3D152005427984%26hsa_ad%3D644801250633%26hsa_src%3Dg%26hsa_tgt%3Dkwd-321701030373%26hsa_kw%3Dsolar%2520square%26hsa_mt%3De%26hsa_net%3Dadwords%26hsa_ver%3D3%26gad_source%3D1%26gad_campaignid%3D19566406052%26gbraid%3D0AAAAACamwb_Cl7c0KFYDOo2gl8Pkuvv3A%26gclid%3DCj0KCQiAxonKBhC1ARIsAIHq_lsft3AjUQ_HNcXa9rD8MxktRFSYdEs1sw8peb91EefXYxyoG6zzCJ0aAu6GEALw_wcB&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi399-Zq8SRAxVqSmwGHQ_AAiEQ0Qx6BAgTEAE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SolarSquare Energy</a>, generates around 3,000 units per day or 90,000 to 95,000 units per month. It powers all of the apartment’s common utilities, lifts, lights, and water pumps.</p>
<p>The apartment chose a rooftop system because of a dearth of open ground space in Mumbai, not taken up by parking or common utilities.</p>
<p>The installation was set up with 540 Wp domestic content requirement (DCR) compliant mono-PERC, half-cut, bifacial modules from <a href="https://premierenergies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier Energies</a> for the first 500 kW to avail a subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar program. For the remaining 300 kW, Premier Energies’ 540 Wp non-DCR modules were used.</p>
<p>The system utilizes <a href="https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&amp;pf=1&amp;ai=DChsSEwjdnpyzq8SRAxUGLYMDHfgmCeMYACICCAEQABoCc2Y&amp;co=1&amp;ase=2&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAxonKBhC1ARIsAIHq_ltG90a15NDac4l9KHRUfuy6-MWpABE_9VFKkaxsJ0i8l6rUn6ScdUsaAvjFEALw_wcB&amp;cid=CAASWeRo4SBUUfFTDEV78zGINZTaqsz8gaOs_xeBNwjHvzm6s7bRToDjIq2F9Knvp9LnBFlx8InzGXSksAJUJt0rN6w7JcNZz2PgqMAPxM3jfWrr7-1J1mzr32K2&amp;cce=2&amp;category=acrcp_v1_32&amp;sig=AOD64_2VeFYXhvPMlTUQlDfro8Nv2SgQYg&amp;q&amp;nis=4&amp;adurl=https://en.growatt.com?gad_source%3D1%26gad_campaignid%3D20122439187%26gbraid%3D0AAAAAC5e4RsfZEsPNA7M2jX3H67wIzZFf%26gclid%3DCj0KCQiAxonKBhC1ARIsAIHq_ltG90a15NDac4l9KHRUfuy6-MWpABE_9VFKkaxsJ0i8l6rUn6ScdUsaAvjFEALw_wcB&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiKjZezq8SRAxV2XGwGHTxfN2cQ0Qx6BAgLEAE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Growatt</a>’s inverters with a total capacity of 810 kW.</p>
<p>Recently, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik told Parliament that India has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/pm-surya-ghar-rooftop-solar-reaches-2-4-million-homes-hits-24-of-target" target="_blank" rel="noopener">installed</a> rooftop solar systems in 2,396,497 residential households under PM Surya Gha so far, reaching nearly 24% of the 10 million target set for the financial year (FY) 2026–27.</p>
<p>Mercom India will <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-nashik" target="_blank" rel="noopener">host</a> the first event of the 5th edition of its C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet series in Nashik on January 9, 2026. The event brings together businesses and renewable energy solution providers to raise awareness about the benefits of adopting solar.</p>


Mumbai Apartment Powers 90–100% of Common Areas with Rooftop Solar


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/amazon_polly_87798.mp3?version=1765523388">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>It&#8217;s not just big commercial and industrial companies that are reaping the benefits of switching to solar. Housing complexes with large rooftop spaces are increasingly installing solar systems to reduce their electricity bills.</p>
<p>Binori Moneta in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is an example. This residential development is saving ₹260,000 (~$2,892) annually after it installed a 20-kW rooftop solar system. The installation caters to 90% of the housing complex’s common area power needs.</p>
<p>Gujarat-based rooftop installer, <a href="https://perfectrenewtech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Perfect Renewtech</a>, set up the project in June 2025.</p>
<p>Ankit Ramoliya, Founder and Director at Perfect Renewtech, said the housing complex with 25-28 apartments had ample unused rooftop space, making it ideal for a solar installation.</p>
<p>The rooftop solar system uses <a href="https://www.adanisolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Solar</a>’s 570 W domestic-content-compliant TOPCon N-type modules, coupled with <a href="https://howd.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solaryaan</a>’s 20 kW inverter.</p>
<p>The project was set up at a cost of ₹1.1 million (~$12,194.9) by availing a subsidy of ₹360,000 (~$3,991.07) under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.</p>
<p>Before the installation of the rooftop system, the apartment consumed nearly 2,500 units per month and an estimated 30,000 units annually. Collectively, the apartment’s power expenditure for the common areas was ₹27,500 (~$305.89) every month and ₹330,000 (~$3,704.16) each year.</p>
<p>The rooftop system generates 90 kWh daily and 2,700 kWh every month.</p>
<p>Ramoliya said the project was designed to ensure residents have sufficient spare space even after the rooftop system is installed.</p>
<p>In another example of the success of residential rooftop solar, an apartment complex in Bengaluru <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bengaluru-apartment-complex-adopts-solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saved</a> up to ₹4 million (~$47,768) annually by installing solar panels. By switching to clean energy, the condominium with 1,030 flats has reduced its electricity expenses by 33%.</p>
<p>According to Mercom India’s Q3 2025 India Rooftop Solar Market Report, residential installations <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-added-4-9-gw-rooftop-solar-capacity-in-9m-2025#:~:text=India%20added%204.9%20GW%20of,India%20Rooftop%20Solar%20Market%20Report." target="_blank" rel="noopener">led</a> rooftop capacity additions with 1,526 MW, accounting for 73% of the 2.1 GW installations during the quarter.</p>
<p>Mercom India hosts a multicity ‘C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet’ series designed to provide commercial and industrial energy buyers with the knowledge and tools they need to adopt clean energy solutions and lower their power costs. The next C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet will be held in <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/c-and-i-clean-energy-meet-2026-nashik" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nashik</a> on January 9, 2026.</p>


Rooftop Solar Delivers Real Returns for Ahmedabad Housing Complex


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/amazon_polly_68774.mp3?version=1740399335">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>A residential apartment complex in Bengaluru is saving up to ₹4 million (~$47,768) annually by installing a rooftop solar system. By switching to clean energy, the condominium with 1,030 flats has reduced its electricity expenses by 33%.</p>
<p>Leveraging the power of solar energy, the SNN Raj Greenbay apartment complex in Electronic City Phase 2 has set up a 342 kW residential rooftop system, which it claims is the second-largest in the city.</p>
<p>Before installing the rooftop solar systems, residents were collectively incurring ₹1 million (~$11,942) in electricity expenses and an estimated ₹12 million (~$143,305) annually.</p>
<p>The rooftop solar installation is spread over 32,000 sq ft and utilizes 640 panels from LONGi Solar equipped with bifacial technology and 638 Enphase micro-inverters. Installed by <a href="https://www.solarsquare.in/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SolarSquare</a>, the project was commissioned in December 2023.</p>
<p>The system has generated an impressive 0.34 million units in seven months, surpassing 100% of the estimated electricity generation and confirming the project&#8217;s financial viability. The project will likely break even in 4.75 years, about three months ahead of the targeted timeline.</p>
<p>Speaking to Mercom India, Vice-President of SNN Raj Greenbay Apartment Owners Association Shourya Singh said, &#8220;Earlier, we were paying ₹1 million per month as electricity charges. We decided to install a 342 kW capacity grid-connected solar rooftop system, and now we can save an estimated ₹4-4.5 million (~$47,768- $53,738). Annually, we can generate 0.55 million units from the solar panels.&#8221;</p>
<p>The project was crowd-funded by the apartment association and was implemented at an estimated cost of ₹24 million ($286, 603).</p>
<p>The apartment plans on expanding its rooftop solar capacity by 150-200 kW in the coming years.</p>
<p>&#8220;At SolarSquare, we have helped 150 housing societies in making the switch to rooftop solar from coal-based electricity. The SSN Greenbay project is a testament to our service excellence for housing societies. We further plan to help 500 housing societies in the next two years,&#8221; said Co-founder of SolarSquare Shreya Mishra.</p>
<p>Many residential complexes are extensively adopting rooftop solar to reduce their electricity costs and carbon footprint. Last year, another apartment complex in Bengaluru went in for the third phase of rooftop solar installation after <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/apartment-rooftop-solar-success-expands-capacity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">realizing</a> tangible benefits from the first two phases.</p>
<p>Convinced of residential rooftop solar benefits, the government is aggressively promoting such installations through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to equip 10 million households with rooftop solar systems. Under the program, group housing societies and residential welfare associations are eligible for ₹18,000 ($215)/kW as central financial assistance.</p>
<p>As of June 6, 30,965 applications have been received under the PM Surya Ghar program in Karnataka.</p>


Bengaluru Apartment Complex Adopts Solar, Saves ₹4 Million in Power Costs


					<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls   controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/amazon_polly_52105.mp3?version=1680501745">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table><p>In a telling testimony to the viability of rooftop solar in the residential sector, an apartment complex in Bengaluru has opted for the third phase of its rooftop solar project after the success of its first two phases over the last two years.</p>
<p>The Westend Heights Condominium Apartment Owners Welfare Association has now invited bids to install 105 kW of rooftop solar capacity. In the first phase in September 2021, the condominium complex had installed 185.4 kW, followed by 100 kW in the second phase in October 2022.</p>
<p>The deadline for bids is April 9, 2023. They would be opened on the same day.</p>
<p>The solar panels installed on the sprawling condominium roof space spread over 19 towers and 1,830 flats are already yielding a savings of about ₹350,000 (~$4,262) a month on power bills for its residents, Kartikeya Khanna, secretary of the residents’ welfare association, told Mercom.</p>
<p>The condominium, which has also implemented energy-saving measures while embracing rooftop solar, consumes about 100,000 units of electricity a month, down by 30,000 from five years ago.</p>
<p>It <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/residential-welfare-association-bengaluru-floats-tender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a tender for 165 kW in January 2021 and <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/residential-association-bengaluru-invites-bids-rooftop-solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">followed</a> it up with bids for 150 kW last April.</p>
<p>When the third phase is up and running, the association claims it will have one of the largest rooftop solar capacities in the residential segment at 390 kW.</p>
<p>The residents were sold on the idea of the savings on electricity bills rooftop solar would bring and the fact that they would be giving back to society by opting for clean energy.</p>
<p>“We didn’t face any resistance from the flat owners when we proposed the idea. Even before we went for rooftop solar, we replaced fluorescent tube lights with LEDs and installed motion-sensing lights. So we were conscious of the benefits of optimizing our energy usage,” Khanna said.</p>
<p><strong>CAPEX Model</strong></p>
<p>The condominium complex opted for the capital expenditure model, considering the attractive return on the cumulative ₹20.2 million (~$277,672) investment for all three phases of the rooftop project. The project started earning from day one, thanks to the net metering arrangement with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM).</p>
<p>Power from the project is used for lighting common areas, and running the elevators, the sewage treatment plant, and the water pumps.</p>
<p>The residents’ association systematically went about the rooftop solar projects by engaging a consultant to baseline the capacity requirement before calling for bids.</p>
<p>“We didn’t take the quotation route as some other residents’ welfare associations (RWA) did and failed,” said Khanna.</p>
<p>The bidding process also ensured it got attractive operations &amp; maintenance packages from the installers.</p>
<p>Like in the first two phases, the scope of the tender for the third phase includes the design and layout of the rooftop solar system, including all civil, structural, electrical, and related works, supply of materials, and installation of commissioning.</p>
<p><strong>Rooftop Solar in Urban Areas </strong></p>
<p>The Westend Heights success story has important lessons for other RWAs to emulate. According to Khanna, rooftop spaces on apartment complexes have no value.</p>
<p>“Instead of letting these spaces go waste, putting up solar panels will not only save money on power bills, but the residents would also have given something back to society by opting for clean energy,” he said.</p>
<p>Khanna said distribution companies have an obligation to support RWAs and make it easier for them to adopt solar. He was, however, not too happy with BESCOM, which put roadblocks in the approval process of inverters.</p>
<p>“The tortuous inverter empanelment process must be done away with, as also the 50 kW cap per Low Tension meter,” he said.</p>


apartment

Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.

RECENT POSTS