Open access solar in Karnataka just received global recognition. In its India Renewable Energy Market Report 2026, the International Energy Agency named Karnataka among five states where open-access renewable projects are growing strongly, alongside Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, according to Saur Energy reporting dated November 3, 2026.
If you run a factory, warehouse or commercial building in Karnataka, this guide explains what open access solar is, who can explore it, and what is changing in 2026.
What Did the IEA Say About Open Access Solar?
The supplied article says the IEA sees open-access renewable projects as an important complement to government auctions, especially in states with high industrial electricity demand such as Karnataka. It also expects India's solar capacity to exceed 350 GW AC by 2030, with distributed segments such as rooftop and open access growing faster than large utility projects.
Key points in the supplied report summary include:
- India's solar PV capacity is forecast to pass 350 GW AC by 2030.
- Utility-scale projects accounted for about 75% of solar additions over the previous five years; the share is expected to fall to about 70% by 2030 as distributed solar grows faster.
- About 7 GW of solar and wind capacity was contracted through open access in 2025.
What Is Open Access Solar?
Open access solar allows a business to procure solar power from a plant located elsewhere in the state, using the public electricity network to move the power. The customer pays the contracted solar price plus the applicable grid and open-access charges instead of relying only on the full DISCOM tariff.
A simple analogy is buying directly from a farm and using the public road for delivery: the solar plant produces the electricity, the grid carries it, and the buyer pays for the power plus the applicable network charges.
There are three common commercial structures:
| Model | How it works | Upfront investment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party open access | You sign a long-term PPA with a solar developer | None | Businesses that want savings without owning the generation asset |
| Group captive | Participating consumers together own at least 26% equity and consume at least 51% of plant output | Small equity stake | Higher-volume consumers willing to invest for the captive structure |
| Captive | Your business owns the plant | Full project investment | Very large consumers with capital and enough demand to use the plant's output |
Learn how Panchami structures these models on our open access and group captive pages.
How Fast Is Open Access Solar Growing in India?
The supplied article describes record growth in 2026. It cites Mercom India's Q2 and first-half 2026 report, summarised by now.solar / pv magazine, as showing about 6 GW of open-access solar added in the first half of the year, up 42% from the same period in 2025. Q2 alone added a record 3 GW.
| Metric | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Open access solar added | 3 GW | Q2 2026 |
| Open access solar added | About 6 GW, up 42% year on year | First half of 2026 |
| Total installed open access solar | 36 GW | End of June 2026 |
| Rajasthan share of Q2 additions | 25% | Q2 2026 |
Why Is Karnataka a Good State for Open Access Solar?
Karnataka combines strong renewable resources, a mature developer ecosystem and high commercial and industrial electricity demand. The supplied source also cites comparatively low wheeling charges for HT consumers.
Its October 2026 Qbits Energy reference places Karnataka wheeling charges for HT consumers at about ₹0.29 per unit, compared with approximately ₹0.63 in Gujarat and ₹1.03 in Tamil Nadu for FY 2026–27. Because grid charges are tariff-sensitive, businesses should verify the current KERC order when modelling a live project.
The same supplied guide notes a regulatory roadmap toward phasing out cross-subsidy surcharge in Karnataka by FY 2029.
Karnataka is also planning much more renewable supply. Read our guide to Karnataka's 30 GW renewable-energy push.
Who Qualifies for Open Access Solar in Karnataka?
The supplied source cites KERC's draft 2026 open-access rules as proposing a minimum sanctioned load or contract demand of 100 kW for most consumers. Captive consumers are described as exempt from this minimum.
A quick self-check:
- Your contract demand is 100 kW or more under the cited draft, or you are evaluating a captive structure.
- You are an industrial or commercial consumer with a sufficiently large electricity requirement.
- Your bill is large enough for per-unit savings to materially affect operating cost.
- You expect the site and load to remain stable enough for a long-term power arrangement.
What Is Changing in Karnataka's Open Access Rules in 2026?
Karnataka is moving toward a General Network Access framework. The supplied article says KERC's June 2026 draft would replace older open-access categories with long-term GNA and short-term T-GNA, introduce a digital State Open Access Registry and distinguish between solar-hour and non-solar-hour access.
The draft proposals described in the supplied source include:
- GNA and T-GNA: long-term access plus short-term access from a single 15-minute block up to 11 months.
- SOAR registry: an online State Open Access Registry run by the SLDC for applications.
- Solar-hour access: separate treatment for solar and non-solar hours to improve use of network capacity.
- Storage recognised: energy-storage projects can apply for non-solar-hour access under the draft framework.
- Standby charges: the source says the draft proposed 125% of normal energy charges unless one day's advance notice is given.
For the storage angle, see our guide to solar with battery storage in Karnataka.
The supplied article also says the ALMM List-II requirement for open-access projects was deferred to the end of 2026. Project teams should confirm the module and cell rules applicable to the planned commissioning date.
If you are comparing providers, choose one that tracks these rule changes and handles the filings end to end. Panchami is a solar company in Karnataka focused on commercial solar, open access and group captive projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is open access solar in Karnataka?
It allows a business to procure solar power from an off-site plant using the public grid. The customer pays the contracted solar rate plus the applicable grid and open-access charges.
What is the minimum load for open access in Karnataka?
The supplied source cites KERC's draft 2026 rules as proposing a minimum of 100 kW sanctioned load or contract demand for most consumers, with captive consumers exempt. Confirm the final notified rule before applying.
How much can open access solar save?
Savings depend on tariff category, load and project structure. As an example, the supplied Panchami draft uses a group captive delivered rate of about ₹4.73 per unit with a small equity stake, compared with ₹7 or more per unit for many HT consumers after charges. It positions savings of up to 30% or more as possible, subject to the actual bill and applicable charges.
What is the difference between open access and group captive?
In third-party open access, the developer owns the plant and the business buys the power. In group captive, participating consumers together hold at least 26% equity and consume at least 51% of the plant's output to maintain captive status.
Why did the IEA mention Karnataka?
The supplied source says the IEA identified Karnataka among five states where open-access renewable projects are an important complement to government procurement because of strong industrial electricity demand. The other states named were Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
Get Your Free Open Access Feasibility Check
Want to know whether your business qualifies for open access or group captive solar? Share your latest electricity bill with Panchami Global for a free feasibility and savings check within 24 hours.