Regulatory source: Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) governs intra-state open access. CERC governs inter-state open access. RVPNL is the state transmission utility and SLDC. DISCOMs: JVVNL (Jaipur), AVVNL (Ajmer), JdVVNL (Jodhpur).
Why Rajasthan leads India's solar market
6.0+
kWh/m²/day average irradiance (Barmer/Jaisalmer)
20%+
Higher CUF vs national average for ground-mounted solar
Top 2
State by cumulative utility-scale solar capacity
Inter-state
Strong inter-state OA supply to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi NCR buyers
Intra-state open access (OA within Rajasthan)
For C&I buyers located in Rajasthan, intra-state open access allows solar power to be sourced from generators within the state using the RVPNL/DISCOM network:
| Parameter | Applicable rule |
|---|
| Minimum contracted demand (STOA) | 1 MW for HT/EHT consumers |
| Consumer category | HT Industrial, HT Commercial (11 kV and above) |
| Application authority | Relevant DISCOM (JVVNL, AVVNL, JdVVNL) + SLDC (RVPNL) |
| Key charges | Wheeling charge + CSS (reduced for renewables under recent RERC orders) + RVPNL transmission charge + SLDC fee |
Inter-state open access — supply from Rajasthan to other states
This is the larger and more strategically important market for Rajasthan solar. Many C&I buyers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi NCR, and Haryana source solar power from Rajasthan-based projects via inter-state OA:
- Regulatory jurisdiction: Inter-state OA is governed by CERC and handled through the Central Transmission Utility (CTU/PGCIL) network.
- Inter-state transmission charge (ISTS): ISTS charges for solar and wind energy have been waived under central policy for projects commissioned before the waiver sunset date. Verify the current status of this waiver — it has been a significant cost advantage for Rajasthan solar supply to other states.
- Scheduling: Handled through POSOCO/NLDC for inter-state transactions; state-level scheduling at the injection SLDC (RVPNL) and drawl SLDC simultaneously.
- Additional surcharge: Applicable at the drawl state level (e.g., if Consumer is in Maharashtra, Maharashtra's additional surcharge provisions apply at their end).
Rajasthan for solar investors
Beyond open access, Rajasthan is a primary destination for utility-scale solar investment:
- Land availability and cost per MW in Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner zones is among the most competitive nationally.
- High CUF (often 28–32% for fixed-tilt ground-mounted projects) improves project economics versus lower-irradiance states.
- RRECL (Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited) manages state-level programme implementation and land allocation in dedicated solar parks.
- SECI, NTPC, and state-level tenders offer multiple entry points for project developers and investors at various scales (1 MW to 500 MW).
ALMM and government-scheme compliance
Rajasthan has a large number of government-tendered projects. Before investing in or commissioning EPC work on any Rajasthan solar project under a central/state scheme, verify ALMM module compliance requirements. See the ALMM guide for details.