Note: Open access regulations are updated periodically by state electricity regulatory commissions. Verify current tariff orders and charges with your DISCOM or a licensed consultant before committing to a contract.
What is C&I open access solar?
Open access allows commercial and industrial consumers to purchase power from a generator of their choice rather than solely relying on the distribution company (DISCOM). For solar, this means C&I buyers can source renewable power from third-party solar projects, often at a lower effective cost than the grid tariff, subject to applicable charges.
Key charges to account for
Regardless of state, the landed cost of open access power typically includes the following components:
| Charge Type |
Description |
Who pays |
| Transmission / Wheeling charge |
Fee for using the state grid infrastructure |
Consumer |
| Cross-subsidy surcharge (CSS) |
Compensates the DISCOM for lost revenue |
Consumer (varies by state/category) |
| Additional surcharge |
Applies when DISCOM has stranded power purchase obligations |
Consumer (state-specific, often waived for renewable) |
| Reactive energy charges |
Penalties for low power factor at metering point |
Consumer |
| Banking charges |
Fee for storing surplus generation for later use |
Consumer (where banking is allowed) |
State snapshots
Gujarat
- Open access is available to consumers with contracted demand of 1 MW and above (short-term and long-term).
- Solar projects benefit from CSS waiver or reduction under the state's renewable energy policy for eligible categories.
- Banking of surplus solar energy is permitted in limited windows; review current GERC orders for applicable periods.
- GUVNL and the relevant DISCOM issue open access approvals; lead time is typically 30–60 days for a fresh application.
Maharashtra
- Governed by the MERC (Distribution Open Access) Regulations and applicable tariff orders.
- Threshold for short-term open access starts at 1 MW for HT consumers in most discom zones.
- Cross-subsidy surcharge applies to most industrial and commercial categories; CSS exemption for renewable has been a subject of periodic MERC orders.
- Group captive is widely used in Maharashtra by larger industrial clusters as an alternative to pure open access structures.
Rajasthan
- RERC has been generally supportive of open access renewables, with progressive reduction in CSS for wind and solar increments under recent orders.
- Rajasthan is a significant open access solar market given high irradiance and large ground-mounted project availability.
- Wheeling charges are applicable; interstate buyers should factor Rajasthan-to-consumption-state transmission costs separately.
Karnataka
- KERC governs open access; short-term open access (STOA) approval timelines have improved in recent regulatory cycles.
- Karnataka has a significant rooftop and ground-mounted solar base, making it a viable market for both C&I procurement and group captive structures.
- CSS and additional surcharge applicability depends on consumer HT/EHT category and current KERC tariff orders.
Practical eligibility checklist
- Confirm your contracted demand meets the state threshold (typically 1 MW for most states).
- Identify whether you are an HT or EHT consumer — this affects applicable charge categories.
- Calculate landed unit cost including all charges; compare against current DISCOM tariff for your category.
- Verify banking and scheduling provisions with the state SLDC for the project location.
- Check if the project developer holds the required open access approval or if you need to apply jointly.
- Review PPA draft for scheduling obligations, imbalance penalties, and exit provisions.