India installed 6.1 GW of open-access (off-site commercial and industrial) solar capacity during the first nine months of the calendar year 2025. This marks a significant increase of approximately 13% compared to the 5.4 GW installed in the same period of 2024, according to the Q3 2025 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report. The robust growth in installations was primarily fueled by sustained demand from commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers.
Cumulative capacity for open-access solar reached 27.9 GW as of September 30, 2025.
In the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025), India added 2.2 GW of open-access solar capacity. While this figure represents a 21% decline from the 2.8 GW added in the second quarter (Q2 2025), it is more than double the 1.1 GW capacity installed during the same period in 2024 (Q3 2024).
Capacity additions in Q3 were constrained by several factors, including delays in grid-connectivity approvals, restricted substation access, and limited transmission-evacuation capacity, particularly in states with weaker grid infrastructure.
Priya Sanjay, Managing Director at Mercom India, commented on the segment’s strong performance: “Even with supply-chain pressures, rising module prices, and inconsistent policies slowing momentum, the cost advantage of open access is proving strong enough to break through these barriers. Without the headwinds, open access renewables could be a significant contributor towards India’s green targets.”
