The Growth of Commercial Rooftop Solar in India: A Game-Changer for Businesses

India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in renewable energy, targeting 500 GW of capacity by 2030, with solar power expected to contribute 280 GW. Rising electricity costs and increasing sustainability commitments are driving commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop solar installations, making them a key pillar in India’s clean energy transition.

As of today, India’s grid-connected rooftop solar capacity has reached 16.28 GW, contributing to the nation’s total solar power capacity of 100+ GW, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Commercial rooftop solar involves installing solar panels on business and commercial building rooftops, allowing them to generate their electricity, reduce grid dependence, and lower operational costs. This scalable solution benefits industries such as manufacturing, textiles, educational institutions, and government facilities.

1. Lower Electricity Costs

By installing rooftop solar, businesses can significantly reduce their dependence on grid electricity and diesel generators, leading to long-term energy cost savings. Solar power offers a stable and predictable energy cost, shielding businesses from rising electricity tariffs.

2. High ROI & Short Payback Period

With declining solar panel prices and financing options like OPEX (operational expenditure) and RESCO (renewable energy service company) models, businesses can adopt solar with minimal upfront investment. The average payback period ranges between 3 to 5 years, after which companies benefit from free electricity for decades.

3. Government Incentives & Policies

Although direct subsidies for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar are limited, businesses can take advantage of policies like net metering, which allows them to offset electricity costs by feeding excess power into the grid. Additional benefits include accelerated depreciation (AD), which enables faster tax savings, and various state-specific incentives that reduce installation costs.

4. Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility

Transitioning to solar energy helps businesses meet their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. It reduces carbon emissions, enhances sustainability credentials, and ensures compliance with global and national environmental regulations, boosting brand reputation and stakeholder confidence.

Several large-scale rooftop solar projects highlight the sector’s potential:

• Arvind Limited (Gujarat): Installed a 16.2 MW rooftop solar system at its Santej facility, the largest of its kind at a single location in India. It generates 22 million units annually.
• RSSB Educational & Environmental Society (Punjab): A 12 MW rooftop solar project spanning 8 venues at Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Amritsar. It generates over 15 million units annually, offsetting more than 19,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Currently, the Indian government primarily offers subsidies for residential rooftop solar installations under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. However, businesses can benefit from various financial incentives, tax benefits, and policy support to reduce costs and improve returns on investment.

• Accelerated Depreciation (AD): 40% depreciation in the first year reduces tax liability.
• GST Benefits: 12% GST on solar equipment and Input Tax Credit (ITC) availability.
• Net Metering & Banking: Excess power can be fed into the grid for credits.
• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Businesses can earn RECs and sell them in energy markets.
• OPEX & RESCO Models: Solar adoption without upfront investment via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• State-Specific Incentives: Policies vary across states, such as electricity duty exemptions in Rajasthan.

With advancements in battery storage, digital monitoring, and supportive policies, India’s commercial rooftop solar market is poised for rapid growth.

Investing in rooftop solar offers businesses long-term savings and energy security. At Ornate Solar, we deliver cutting-edge solutions from large-scale rooftop installations to innovative solar-powered projects.

Ornate Solar has successfully completed a 1 MWp rooftop solar installation at VVDN Technologies’ Manesar facility in Haryana.

Spanning 78,181 sq. ft. and equipped with 10 fully automatic cleaning robots, this project is a testament to innovation and sustainability.

Products Used:

• 1710 Renewsys TOPCon Bifacial Glass-to-Glass 585Wp panels
• 7 Havells Enviro GTi KT 100kW solar inverters

This installation reinforces VVDN Technologies’ commitment to clean energy while optimizing efficiency through advanced solar technology

VVDN Technologies is a global leader in end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and digital solutions. With expertise in product design, software development, and hardware engineering, VVDN empowers industries like IoT, automotive, and networking to bring innovative ideas to life.

With over a decade of experience in product engineering and manufacturing, VVDN provides customers with seamless, end-to-end solutions—all under one roof. Their comprehensive services include hardware, software, mechanical design, testing, prototyping, certification, and large-scale manufacturing.

VVDN’s India headquarters is located at Global Innovation Park, Manesar, Gurugram, while its North America headquarters is in Fremont, California, USA. Recognized as India’s fastest-growing Electronics Product Engineering and Manufacturing Company, VVDN boasts 11+ design centers, 7 manufacturing units, and a presence across 6 countries.

For businesses aiming to cut costs, reduce environmental impact, and gain energy independence, commercial rooftop solar is a game-changer. With technology evolving and policies improving, solar power is becoming an essential asset in India’s energy transition.

Also Read:

CAPEX vs OPEX Solar: Differences, Benefits and How to Choose the Right Model

Ground-Mounted Solar Power Plants: Types, Benefits, Costs, Subsidies, and Real-World Case Studies

Ornate Solar is a leading solar company with 10 years of experience in the industry and the mission to reimagine the way solar is installed worldwide.

By not only partnering with the best-in-class solar brands but also developing our high-quality solutions, (panels, inverters, accessories, InRoof), we develop and deliver solutions that are modern, reliable, and effective.

If you are looking for high-quality solar solutions, reach out to us at 011 43536666 to discuss your options.