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At SaurEnergy’s Solar Trailblazers event on April 10, industry stakeholders gathered to discuss how Maharashtra is expanding access to affordable solar while balancing policy, infrastructure, and market realities. The panel brought together voices from utilities, developers, consultants, and manufacturers, offering a comprehensive view of the state’s evolving solar ecosystem.
Maharashtra’s journey in solar has not always been aggressive, but the state is now clearly accelerating. Nilesh Rohankar, Executive Engineer at MSEDCL, emphasised that the shift is rooted in long-term sustainability goals and economic planning.
He noted that the power sector is being aligned with broader national ambitions, stating that “this sector must be sustainable in the coming 4–5 years,” with a strong focus on improving operational and financial efficiencies.
The state’s Resource Adequacy Plan and recently introduced 10-year energy policy are now guiding this transition. A major highlight is the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY 2.0), which aims to install 16,000 MW of solar capacity by March 2027.
Rohankar shared that “around 5,000 MW has already been completed and taken into the grid,” reflecting the scale and pace of implementation. Alongside solar, Maharashtra is actively tendering for battery energy storage systems (BESS) and exploring hybrid energy frameworks to meet future demand.
Maharashtra has emerged as a leading state in rooftop solar adoption. According to industry estimates shared during the panel, the state accounted for nearly 20 per cent of India’s rooftop installations, with total capacity reaching around 7 GW in 2025–26.
Schemes like PM Surya Ghar have significantly boosted residential adoption, with over two to three lakh households already solarised. However, despite this strong growth, policy inconsistency continues to be a concern.
Shantanu Sirsath, MD at Bhasu Energy System, pointed out that “if there is clarity that policies will remain stable for 2–3 years, we would be able to achieve much more in terms of targets.”
He highlighted that rooftop solar is largely policy-driven, while the commercial and industrial segment is highly sensitive to return on investment. Any regulatory changes – positive or negative – directly influence market momentum and investor confidence.
One of the most significant shifts discussed was the growing role of battery storage in solar projects. Mitesh Chaudhary, VP Business Development at Hexa Climate, noted that Maharashtra’s policy direction has effectively made storage a necessity rather than an option.
He explained that “solar plus battery is no longer optional, it is becoming the standard approach going forward.”
Developers are now planning projects with integrated storage from the outset, anticipating that this model will be adopted across other states as well. While this creates new opportunities, panellists observed that the transition has been relatively sudden, leaving limited room for gradual adaptation.
A more phased policy rollout could have enabled smoother integration and better preparedness across the value chain.
The discussion also highlighted the untapped potential in the MSME segment. With green energy open access expanding to smaller consumers, including those below 1 MW, a new market is opening up.
However, financing remains a challenge. MSMEs often prefer shorter contract durations and are perceived as higher-risk borrowers. To address this, innovative financing structures are being explored.
Chaudhary shared that “we are evaluating models where large manufacturers can act as guarantors for MSMEs through escrow mechanisms,” ensuring payment security for solar providers.
Such models could not only enable wider adoption but also help corporates reduce supply chain emissions, aligning with broader sustainability commitments.
A key takeaway from the panel was that Maharashtra’s solar growth is not dependent on a single policy or scheme. Instead, multiple initiatives are driving adoption across different segments.
Mayur Pande, Energy Consultant, explained that “each scheme is designed for a specific category – residential, agricultural, or commercial – and all are contributing in their own way.”
While PM Surya Ghar is driving residential uptake, schemes like KUSUM and MSKVY are supporting agricultural solarisation. Emerging programmes are expected to further expand access across new segments.
However, panellists stressed the need for policies supporting hybrid energy systems, including combinations of solar with wind, biomass, or other renewable sources.
Another major shift is the growing importance of the retail segment. Solar demand is increasingly moving beyond large-scale projects to residential and small commercial consumers.
Kabir Bakshi,  Territory Manager (West India), Adani Solar, highlighted that “earlier, the focus was on utility-scale and large C&I customers, but now the shift towards retail is clearly visible.”
He added that a significant share of business is now coming from the retail segment, supported by an expanded distribution network and improved last-mile reach.
However, solar remains an infrastructure product rather than a simple retail commodity. Bakshi noted that “it is not just a product, it is a system,” which requires careful handling, installation, and integration. As a result, while retail penetration will increase, a fully e-commerce-driven model may take time to evolve.
Space constraints in urban areas were identified as a major barrier to further solar adoption. High-rise buildings and limited rooftop availability restrict traditional installations.
To address this, alternative models such as virtual net metering and group net metering are gaining attention. These allow consumers to benefit from solar installations located elsewhere.
Panellists also discussed emerging concepts like balcony solar and hybrid systems. While these solutions hold promise, they will require regulatory clarity and safety considerations before widespread adoption.
Maharashtra’s strong industrial base remains one of its biggest advantages. Continuous economic growth, rising energy demand, and the expansion of sectors such as data centres are creating sustained opportunities for renewable energy deployment.
Mitesh Chaudhary described the state as “a self-sustaining growth engine where new businesses and energy demand continue to rise.”
At the same time, panellists highlighted persistent challenges. Policy unpredictability, delays in approvals, and limited focus on domestic manufacturing were identified as key concerns.
There were also calls for better alignment of incentives, particularly for distribution companies, to ensure smoother implementation of renewable projects.
Despite these challenges, the panel struck an optimistic note on future opportunities. Renewable energy in Maharashtra is still in a growth phase, with significant potential across the value chain.
Shantanu Sirsath encouraged new entrants, stating that “this is still the beginning for solar, and the next 5–10 years will offer huge opportunities.”
Opportunities extend beyond project development to areas such as operations and maintenance, design, consultancy, and financing. As installations increase, the demand for skilled professionals and service providers is also expected to grow.
The panel discussion underscored that Maharashtra is at a critical juncture in its solar journey. Strong policy intent, large-scale schemes, and growing market participation have created a solid foundation for expansion.
However, sustaining this momentum will depend on policy consistency, better implementation, and deeper integration of storage and hybrid solutions. Addressing these challenges could position Maharashtra as a leader in democratising access to affordable solar energy while setting a benchmark for other states.
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