REconnect Summit 2026: Experts Highlight Regulatory Challenges, Storage Role in Scaling C&I and Rooftop Markets

By December 2025, India’s installed solar capacity reached ~132.8 GW, with Maharashtra contributing nearly 17.2 GW, driven by strong uptake in commercial, industrial, and residential rooftop installations.

To further propel solar growth in the state, industry leaders called for policy consistency, faster regulatory approvals, and large-scale deployment of energy storage solutions to unlock the next phase of expansion across C&I and residential segments.

These views emerged during a panel discussion titled, 'C&I and Residential Solar: Accelerating Maharashtra’s Distributed Renewable Growth' at REconnect Summit Nagpur- 2026, organised by Energetica India.

The panel was moderated by Pranab Jayaswal, Executive Director, Galaxy Solar Energy. Other panellists included Prabhajit Kumar Sarkar, Founder & CEO, Ampera Energy Pvt. Ltd.; Ajinkya Nagmote, Founder and CEO, Solectrik Energy; Punit Karmilkar, Director, Power House Energy; Jigar Parikh, Director – Public Sector (Metals, Mining, Renewables, Roads), EDME Insurance Brokers Ltd.; Shiv Sial, Director, Bijlee Solar; Mahendra Bharaskar, Head of Business Development, Anand Ebeam Cables India Ltd.; Manesh Dani, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, SolarYaan; and Saket Suri, Director, All India Renewable Energy Association (AIREA).

Addressing regulatory challenges, Suri said that  the C&I rooftop segment has been impacted by frequent policy changes, particularly around banking and settlement mechanisms. He noted that the withdrawal or modification of earlier benefits has affected project viability and slowed decision-making among corporate consumers.

At the same time, he pointed out that the residential segment remains comparatively stable. Government assurances to safeguard residential rooftop solar, combined with schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, have provided confidence to consumers and developers, supporting continued growth in small-scale installations.

Panellists agreed that Maharashtra has significant untapped potential for distributed solar but lags behind leading states due to procedural delays and inconsistent implementation.

Dani further said that states such as Gujarat have surged ahead due to simpler and more predictable rooftop solar policies. He added that Maharashtra could witness similar expansion if regulatory processes were streamlined and implemented without frequent interruptions.

Speakers highlighted that project execution often comes to a halt for months following policy revisions, creating uncertainty across the value chain, from EPC players to equipment suppliers.

The integration of energy storage with rooftop solar was identified as a major enabler for the C&I segment, particularly in the context of rising time-of-day (TOD) tariffs.

Industry experts explained that increasing penalties during non-solar hours and lower tariffs during daytime are improving the economics of battery energy storage systems. Storage-backed rooftop solar projects are increasingly being considered for peak shaving and demand management by industrial and commercial consumers.

Speakers further noted that while rooftop solar can significantly reduce daytime electricity costs, batteries are becoming essential to address evening and night-time demand.

Highlighting technology challenges, Dani pointed out the growing importance of hybrid inverters and proper system integration. He said seamless coordination between inverters, batteries, and battery management systems (BMS) is critical to ensuring system performance and reliability.

Echoing similar views, other experts also stressed the need for higher installation standards and skilled manpower, warning that poor-quality installations could undermine consumer trust as rooftop solar adoption accelerates.

Financial structuring and risk mitigation also featured prominently in the discussion. Karmilkar highlighted the role of CAPEX and RESCO models in driving adoption across different consumer segments, noting that flexible financing structures are key to scaling rooftop solar.

From a risk perspective, Parikh said that renewable energy projects are increasingly exposed to climate-related risks, operational issues, and warranty-related challenges. He pointed out that specialised insurance products are now available to cover equipment warranties, construction risks, and operational liabilities, helping developers and investors manage long-term exposure.

Bharaskar highlighted the importance of reliable balance-of-system components, stating that quality cabling and electrical infrastructure play a critical role in ensuring safety, efficiency, and long-term performance of rooftop solar installations.

Concluding the session, experts said that Maharashtra’s distributed renewable energy growth will depend on long-term policy visibility, seamless coordination among stakeholders, and faster adoption of advanced technologies such as energy storage.

Speakers collectively stressed that with stable regulations, improved execution, and robust risk management, Maharashtra can emerge as a leading market for C&I and residential rooftop solar in India.