Home › Business ›REconnect Pune 2026: Experts Call for Scaling Solar, BESS and Domestic Manufacturing
REconnect Pune 2026: Experts Call for Scaling Solar, BESS and Domestic Manufacturing
Against the backdrop of Maharashtra’s expanding renewable energy capacity and growing opportunities across solar, storage and manufacturing, Energetica India hosted the second edition of REconnect Pune, bringing together policymakers, utilities, developers, manufacturers and investors to advance the state’s clean energy transition.
August 19, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey
Maharashtra is emerging as one of India’s most dynamic renewable energy markets, with about 33.2 GW of installed renewable energy capacity as of July 2026 and plans to add 45 GW of new power capacity by 2032, nearly 70 percent of which is expected to come from solar.
Supported by initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar Yojana, Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, PM-KUSUM and feeder solarisation programmes, the state is witnessing rapid growth across rooftop solar, C&I captive projects, open access, hybrid renewable energy and large-scale solar parks. At the same time, investments in BESS, pumped storage, solar manufacturing and grid modernisation are strengthening Maharashtra’s clean energy ecosystem and creating opportunities for round-the-clock renewable power.
Against this backdrop, Energetica India convened the second edition of REconnect Pune under the theme “Powering Maharashtra’s Renewable Future: Advancing Solar, Storage & Sustainable Energy Ecosystems.” The event brought together policymakers, utilities, renewable energy developers, IPPs, EPC companies, manufacturers, technology providers, investors and other industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Maharashtra’s renewable energy transition.
During his welcome address, Hemant Arora, Director, Energetica India, said, “Maharashtra is not simply participating in India’s energy transition; it is helping define it. From rooftop solar and agricultural solarisation to utility-scale projects, battery energy storage, manufacturing and grid modernisation, the state is emerging as one of the country’s most dynamic clean energy markets.”
He further asserted that the energy transition must not be ambitious only on paper; it must be achievable on the ground. Emphasising the role of REconnect Summit in that direction, Arora added, “At Energetica India, we believe conferences should be more than presentations. They should spark conversations, challenge conventional thinking, create business opportunities and bring together the people who can actually make things happen. Sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a summit is not what happens on stage, but what happens outside the hall – through conversations, connections and collaborations that can translate into action.”
CA Abhijit Kelkar, Vice President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), said, “As India aspires to become a $40 trillion economy and the third-largest economy in the world, the growth of industries and businesses will significantly increase the country’s energy requirements. This makes sustainable power critical, as the additional energy demand must be met without compromising the environment. With economic activity and business transactions expected to grow substantially, solar and other renewable energy sources will have to play a much larger role in meeting this demand.”
He further added, “There is a strong need for greater participation and innovation to meet India’s growing energy requirements. Conferences such as Reconnect are important platforms for networking, exchanging ideas and building partnerships among industry stakeholders. Such interactions can help identify new opportunities and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable solutions.”
Dr. Nilesh Rohankar, Additional Executive Engineer, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), highlighted the utility’s ongoing restructuring, financial reforms and renewable energy initiatives, including its proposed IPO by December 2026. “MSEDCL is working towards a proposed IPO by December 2026, with financial transparency, reduction of the cross-subsidy burden and improved operational efficiency as key objectives. As part of the financial restructuring, around INR 32,000 crore of debt is proposed to be taken over by the Maharashtra government and converted into government bonds. MSEDCL is also targeting a reduction in AT&C losses from around 13.5 percent currently to 10 percent or below by 2030. Maharashtra’s peak electricity demand has reached around 29 GW and is projected to rise to 45 GW by 2030,” he said.
On renewable energy, Rohankar highlighted the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0, which targets 16 GW of solarisation of agricultural feeders. More than 6 GW has already been commissioned, with over 10 GW targeted by December 2026 and the full 16 GW by March 2027. “MSEDCL has introduced an MOU-based Distributed Energy Resources Bilateral Purchase (DERBP) route, removing the earlier minimum 50 MW eligibility requirement and allowing developers to participate in capacities starting from 1 MW.”
The scheme provides access to eligible private and government land, including more than 40,000 acres identified in MSEDCL’s government land bank, subject to applicable conditions. Rohankar said the solarisation programme could reduce the average cost of supply for agricultural consumption from around INR 9/unit to INR 3.4-4/unit, helping lower the subsidy burden and improve distribution-sector efficiency.
Kanchan Bhosale, Dy. Executive Engineer, MSEDCL, highlighted the utility’s scale, noting that its peak demand exceeds 27 GW, the highest among India’s discoms, with around 3.5 crore consumers across Maharashtra excluding Mumbai. MSEDCL has also improved collection and connection efficiency, with the latter rising from 95 percent to around 99 percent. The utility reported a profit of around INR 1,200 crore in the previous financial year.
On rooftop solar, Bhosale said that Maharashtra has received more than 14 lakh applications under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, while around 7.33 lakh installations with 2,687 MW capacity have been completed. “There is significant scope to accelerate installations, and MSEDCL is extending support to EPCs and industry stakeholders to address implementation challenges.” She also highlighted the Maharashtra government’s SMART scheme, which targets 5 lakh rooftop installations, including 1.27 lakh for BPL consumers, with additional state subsidy over and above the central support.
Bhosale further highlighted the ongoing rollout of smart meters, with around 50 percent of installations completed, and said consumer awareness and industry participation would be important for faster adoption. She also pointed to the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Storage Policy, which sets an ambitious target of meeting 65 percent of the state’s electricity demand from renewable energy sources, creating significant opportunities for battery energy storage and other clean energy technologies.
Chetan G. Pathare, I/c Chief General Manager (Business Development – RESCO), Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT), said that the organisation is focusing on solarisation of MSMEs through the RESCO model. “We have received consent from more than 8,000 MSMEs in Maharashtra for solarisation and are now working on project implementation. We welcome solar developers, RESCO players, manufacturers and battery companies to collaborate with us,” he said.
Pathare also highlighted emerging opportunities in battery energy storage, particularly for larger commercial and industrial consumers, and said that MAHAPREIT is developing plans for behind-the-meter solutions. It is also exploring e-mobility projects, including a proposed 55-metric-tonne capacity initiative, in collaboration with OEMs and sectors such as steel, oil and gas, cement, fertilisers and chemicals. “Our objective is to bring manufacturers, OEMs and end-users onto a common platform to accelerate clean energy adoption,” he said.
Maharashtra’s Distributed Energy Revolution
The first panel discussion was focused on Maharashtra’s distributed energy landscape, with discussions spanning rooftop solar, C&I decarbonisation and agricultural feeder solarisation.
The panel was moderated by Jaideep N. Malaviya, Managing Director, Malaviya Solar Energy Consultancy. Other panellists included Rahul Nalawade, Founder and CEO, SwayamUrja Renewable Energy; Chetan G. Pathare, l/c Chief General Manager, (Business Development – RESCO), MAHAPREIT; Gunjar Bhoyar, Deputy General Manager, Business Development - C&I, AMPIN Energy Transition; Swapnil Wakade, Business Head – Residential Rooftop Solar, Ecofy; and Hardik Adhiya, Chairman and Director, Onix Solar Energy.
The panel explored the implications of the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-36, particularly for distributed renewable energy and commercial and industrial consumers, while also assessing the role of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in accelerating rooftop solar adoption across the state. A key focus was the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 and PM-KUSUM, with panellists discussing the scale-up of agricultural feeder solarisation and its potential to provide reliable daytime power to farmers while reducing the financial burden on DISCOMs.
The discussion also covered growing demand for solar among C&I consumers through Green Open Access, alongside the impact of grid support charges, net-metering reforms and banking regulations on project viability. Panellists emphasised the need for DISCOMs to facilitate higher rooftop penetration while maintaining grid stability.
The session also highlighted opportunities for decentralised solar across residential societies, MSMEs, industrial parks and rural Maharashtra. Financing innovations, emerging business models and stronger coordination among developers, consumers and utilities were identified as important enablers for the next phase of distributed energy deployment and Maharashtra’s transition towards a reliable, affordable and 24x7 clean electricity ecosystem.
Strengthening India’s Solar Manufacturing Ecosystem
The second session examined Maharashtra’s potential to emerge as a key hub for solar manufacturing and contribute to a more self-reliant and resilient domestic supply chain. Discussions covered opportunities in modules, cells, inverters and ancillary components, supported by India’s domestic manufacturing initiatives, production-linked incentives and growing demand from both domestic and export markets.
The session was moderated by Shirish Garud, Consultant and Ex Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Other panellists included Ashok Singh, Independent Solar Consultant & Mentor; Amit Desai, General Manager-Key Accounts, Cosmic PV Power; Nikhil Gupta, VP-Sales, Joint Solar and Vipin Bhardwaj, Country Manager-India, SolaX Power.
Panellists highlighted the importance of backward integration into cell manufacturing and other upstream segments, noting that government initiatives and quality requirements such as BIS standards are encouraging fresh investments in manufacturing capacity. Technology development and R&D were also identified as critical to maintaining competitiveness, with TOPCon emerging as a commercially viable technology for the near term.
The discussion noted that G12 TOPCon modules in the 720-750 W range could remain competitive over the next four to five years, supported by performance advantages and increasing industry acceptance. At the same time, panellists stressed the need to address challenges around land, infrastructure, logistics and skilled manpower while strengthening industry collaboration, innovation and investment to advance India’s ambition of becoming a global solar manufacturing hub.
Powering Maharashtra’s Energy Future: Scaling BESS for a Renewable Grid
The third session, moderated by Surbhi Kaushal, Associate Director – Power and Renewables, Crisil Intelligence, focused on the growing importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in integrating renewable energy, improving grid flexibility and enabling reliable power supply. Discussions covered Maharashtra’s expanding pipeline of battery and pumped storage projects, with stakeholders examining applications across utility-scale, C&I and distributed energy systems.
Other panellists were Mitesh Chaudhary, VP-Business Development, Hexa Climate; Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA); Prateek Srivastava, Business Unit Head, Prostarm Info Systems; Deepak Ushadevi, MD & CEO, Ciel & Terre; Sahaj Mutha, Head - Solar and Energy Solutions, Vitronics Controls; and Kamlesh Kataria, COO, Kalpa Power.
Panellists discussed the evolving policy and regulatory framework for energy storage, alongside the financing and investment opportunities emerging in India’s rapidly expanding storage market. Co-located solar-plus-storage projects were highlighted as an important business model for improving renewable power availability and meeting the evolving requirements of developers and consumers.
The session also explored the potential of combining floating solar with BESS across reservoirs, dams and other water bodies to support round-the-clock clean power generation. Emerging battery technologies, storage innovations and the need for greater investment were identified as key enablers for building a flexible, resilient and reliable renewable energy system for Maharashtra.
Supported by initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar Yojana, Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, PM-KUSUM and feeder solarisation programmes, the state is witnessing rapid growth across rooftop solar, C&I captive projects, open access, hybrid renewable energy and large-scale solar parks. At the same time, investments in BESS, pumped storage, solar manufacturing and grid modernisation are strengthening Maharashtra’s clean energy ecosystem and creating opportunities for round-the-clock renewable power.
Against this backdrop, Energetica India convened the second edition of REconnect Pune under the theme “Powering Maharashtra’s Renewable Future: Advancing Solar, Storage & Sustainable Energy Ecosystems.” The event brought together policymakers, utilities, renewable energy developers, IPPs, EPC companies, manufacturers, technology providers, investors and other industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Maharashtra’s renewable energy transition.
During his welcome address, Hemant Arora, Director, Energetica India, said, “Maharashtra is not simply participating in India’s energy transition; it is helping define it. From rooftop solar and agricultural solarisation to utility-scale projects, battery energy storage, manufacturing and grid modernisation, the state is emerging as one of the country’s most dynamic clean energy markets.”
He further asserted that the energy transition must not be ambitious only on paper; it must be achievable on the ground. Emphasising the role of REconnect Summit in that direction, Arora added, “At Energetica India, we believe conferences should be more than presentations. They should spark conversations, challenge conventional thinking, create business opportunities and bring together the people who can actually make things happen. Sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a summit is not what happens on stage, but what happens outside the hall – through conversations, connections and collaborations that can translate into action.”
CA Abhijit Kelkar, Vice President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), said, “As India aspires to become a $40 trillion economy and the third-largest economy in the world, the growth of industries and businesses will significantly increase the country’s energy requirements. This makes sustainable power critical, as the additional energy demand must be met without compromising the environment. With economic activity and business transactions expected to grow substantially, solar and other renewable energy sources will have to play a much larger role in meeting this demand.”
He further added, “There is a strong need for greater participation and innovation to meet India’s growing energy requirements. Conferences such as Reconnect are important platforms for networking, exchanging ideas and building partnerships among industry stakeholders. Such interactions can help identify new opportunities and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable solutions.”
Dr. Nilesh Rohankar, Additional Executive Engineer, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), highlighted the utility’s ongoing restructuring, financial reforms and renewable energy initiatives, including its proposed IPO by December 2026. “MSEDCL is working towards a proposed IPO by December 2026, with financial transparency, reduction of the cross-subsidy burden and improved operational efficiency as key objectives. As part of the financial restructuring, around INR 32,000 crore of debt is proposed to be taken over by the Maharashtra government and converted into government bonds. MSEDCL is also targeting a reduction in AT&C losses from around 13.5 percent currently to 10 percent or below by 2030. Maharashtra’s peak electricity demand has reached around 29 GW and is projected to rise to 45 GW by 2030,” he said.
On renewable energy, Rohankar highlighted the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0, which targets 16 GW of solarisation of agricultural feeders. More than 6 GW has already been commissioned, with over 10 GW targeted by December 2026 and the full 16 GW by March 2027. “MSEDCL has introduced an MOU-based Distributed Energy Resources Bilateral Purchase (DERBP) route, removing the earlier minimum 50 MW eligibility requirement and allowing developers to participate in capacities starting from 1 MW.”
The scheme provides access to eligible private and government land, including more than 40,000 acres identified in MSEDCL’s government land bank, subject to applicable conditions. Rohankar said the solarisation programme could reduce the average cost of supply for agricultural consumption from around INR 9/unit to INR 3.4-4/unit, helping lower the subsidy burden and improve distribution-sector efficiency.
Kanchan Bhosale, Dy. Executive Engineer, MSEDCL, highlighted the utility’s scale, noting that its peak demand exceeds 27 GW, the highest among India’s discoms, with around 3.5 crore consumers across Maharashtra excluding Mumbai. MSEDCL has also improved collection and connection efficiency, with the latter rising from 95 percent to around 99 percent. The utility reported a profit of around INR 1,200 crore in the previous financial year.
On rooftop solar, Bhosale said that Maharashtra has received more than 14 lakh applications under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, while around 7.33 lakh installations with 2,687 MW capacity have been completed. “There is significant scope to accelerate installations, and MSEDCL is extending support to EPCs and industry stakeholders to address implementation challenges.” She also highlighted the Maharashtra government’s SMART scheme, which targets 5 lakh rooftop installations, including 1.27 lakh for BPL consumers, with additional state subsidy over and above the central support.
Bhosale further highlighted the ongoing rollout of smart meters, with around 50 percent of installations completed, and said consumer awareness and industry participation would be important for faster adoption. She also pointed to the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Storage Policy, which sets an ambitious target of meeting 65 percent of the state’s electricity demand from renewable energy sources, creating significant opportunities for battery energy storage and other clean energy technologies.
Chetan G. Pathare, I/c Chief General Manager (Business Development – RESCO), Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT), said that the organisation is focusing on solarisation of MSMEs through the RESCO model. “We have received consent from more than 8,000 MSMEs in Maharashtra for solarisation and are now working on project implementation. We welcome solar developers, RESCO players, manufacturers and battery companies to collaborate with us,” he said.
Pathare also highlighted emerging opportunities in battery energy storage, particularly for larger commercial and industrial consumers, and said that MAHAPREIT is developing plans for behind-the-meter solutions. It is also exploring e-mobility projects, including a proposed 55-metric-tonne capacity initiative, in collaboration with OEMs and sectors such as steel, oil and gas, cement, fertilisers and chemicals. “Our objective is to bring manufacturers, OEMs and end-users onto a common platform to accelerate clean energy adoption,” he said.
Maharashtra’s Distributed Energy Revolution
The first panel discussion was focused on Maharashtra’s distributed energy landscape, with discussions spanning rooftop solar, C&I decarbonisation and agricultural feeder solarisation.
The panel was moderated by Jaideep N. Malaviya, Managing Director, Malaviya Solar Energy Consultancy. Other panellists included Rahul Nalawade, Founder and CEO, SwayamUrja Renewable Energy; Chetan G. Pathare, l/c Chief General Manager, (Business Development – RESCO), MAHAPREIT; Gunjar Bhoyar, Deputy General Manager, Business Development - C&I, AMPIN Energy Transition; Swapnil Wakade, Business Head – Residential Rooftop Solar, Ecofy; and Hardik Adhiya, Chairman and Director, Onix Solar Energy.
The panel explored the implications of the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-36, particularly for distributed renewable energy and commercial and industrial consumers, while also assessing the role of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in accelerating rooftop solar adoption across the state. A key focus was the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 and PM-KUSUM, with panellists discussing the scale-up of agricultural feeder solarisation and its potential to provide reliable daytime power to farmers while reducing the financial burden on DISCOMs.
The discussion also covered growing demand for solar among C&I consumers through Green Open Access, alongside the impact of grid support charges, net-metering reforms and banking regulations on project viability. Panellists emphasised the need for DISCOMs to facilitate higher rooftop penetration while maintaining grid stability.
The session also highlighted opportunities for decentralised solar across residential societies, MSMEs, industrial parks and rural Maharashtra. Financing innovations, emerging business models and stronger coordination among developers, consumers and utilities were identified as important enablers for the next phase of distributed energy deployment and Maharashtra’s transition towards a reliable, affordable and 24x7 clean electricity ecosystem.
Strengthening India’s Solar Manufacturing Ecosystem
The second session examined Maharashtra’s potential to emerge as a key hub for solar manufacturing and contribute to a more self-reliant and resilient domestic supply chain. Discussions covered opportunities in modules, cells, inverters and ancillary components, supported by India’s domestic manufacturing initiatives, production-linked incentives and growing demand from both domestic and export markets.
The session was moderated by Shirish Garud, Consultant and Ex Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Other panellists included Ashok Singh, Independent Solar Consultant & Mentor; Amit Desai, General Manager-Key Accounts, Cosmic PV Power; Nikhil Gupta, VP-Sales, Joint Solar and Vipin Bhardwaj, Country Manager-India, SolaX Power.
Panellists highlighted the importance of backward integration into cell manufacturing and other upstream segments, noting that government initiatives and quality requirements such as BIS standards are encouraging fresh investments in manufacturing capacity. Technology development and R&D were also identified as critical to maintaining competitiveness, with TOPCon emerging as a commercially viable technology for the near term.
The discussion noted that G12 TOPCon modules in the 720-750 W range could remain competitive over the next four to five years, supported by performance advantages and increasing industry acceptance. At the same time, panellists stressed the need to address challenges around land, infrastructure, logistics and skilled manpower while strengthening industry collaboration, innovation and investment to advance India’s ambition of becoming a global solar manufacturing hub.
Powering Maharashtra’s Energy Future: Scaling BESS for a Renewable Grid
The third session, moderated by Surbhi Kaushal, Associate Director – Power and Renewables, Crisil Intelligence, focused on the growing importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in integrating renewable energy, improving grid flexibility and enabling reliable power supply. Discussions covered Maharashtra’s expanding pipeline of battery and pumped storage projects, with stakeholders examining applications across utility-scale, C&I and distributed energy systems.
Other panellists were Mitesh Chaudhary, VP-Business Development, Hexa Climate; Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA); Prateek Srivastava, Business Unit Head, Prostarm Info Systems; Deepak Ushadevi, MD & CEO, Ciel & Terre; Sahaj Mutha, Head - Solar and Energy Solutions, Vitronics Controls; and Kamlesh Kataria, COO, Kalpa Power.
Panellists discussed the evolving policy and regulatory framework for energy storage, alongside the financing and investment opportunities emerging in India’s rapidly expanding storage market. Co-located solar-plus-storage projects were highlighted as an important business model for improving renewable power availability and meeting the evolving requirements of developers and consumers.
The session also explored the potential of combining floating solar with BESS across reservoirs, dams and other water bodies to support round-the-clock clean power generation. Emerging battery technologies, storage innovations and the need for greater investment were identified as key enablers for building a flexible, resilient and reliable renewable energy system for Maharashtra.
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