Manish Kumar (Renewable Energy Reporter)

We recently sat down for our #podcast to discuss the transition happening in the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) #solar market, the matter that we recently discussed in our cover story this month. We tried to analyse where the market is heading compared to what it was a decade ago, how the consumers' demands are changing, what the developers and EPC firms are looking at, impact of #ALCM, role of storage, #openaccess, #BESS and others. Coming soon with the exciting episode. During covering the issue, we got a lot of insightful insights from leading companies like #CleanMax, #Prozeal, #RenewSys, #IBSolar, #TrueREOriana, #HexaClimate and others. #SaurEnergyPodcast #SaurEnergy

Why is #SouthIndia becoming the next big growth market for #rooftopsolar? In this video, I explain how Commercial & Industrial (C&I) consumers — especially in Tamil Nadu — are driving fresh momentum for the rooftop solar sector. Rising power tariffs, strong industrial demand, supportive policies, and growing awareness are accelerating the clean energy transition across South India.This clip is taken from our detailed podcast on the rise of the solar industry in South India, where we discuss: ⚡ Rooftop solar growth 🏭 Solar manufacturing expansion 🔋 Hybrid & open access opportunities 📈 Future renewable energy trendsWatch the full conversation for deeper industry insights. #RooftopSolar #SolarEnergy #SouthIndia #TamilNadu #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #SolarIndustry #CommercialSolar #IndustrialSolar #CAndI #GreenEnergy #EnergyTransition #SolarPower #OpenAccess #NetMetering #IndiaSolar #Renewables #SaurEnergy

भारत में #SolarModule #Prices आने वाले महीनों में बढ़ सकते हैं। 🇮🇳☀️ Solex Energy के Founder Chetan Shah ने FY26 #earningscall में कहा कि geopolitical tensions, बढ़ती logistics cost, dollar-rupee volatility और domestic solar cell supply constraints की वजह से solar supply chain पर दबाव बढ़ रहा है। कंपनी के मुताबिक non-#DCR solar modules की कीमत अभी ₹13-14/Wp के आसपास है, जो मौजूदा हालात में ₹16/Wp तक जा सकती है. #Solex अब backward integration पर तेजी से काम कर रही है। Gujarat में ₹4,000 करोड़ के investment के साथ Solar Cell और BESS manufacturing facilities लगाने की तैयारी है. भारत में renewable energy demand मजबूत बनी हुई है, लेकिन supply chain challenges अब industry के margins और pricing दोनों को प्रभावित कर रहे हैं. #Solar #RenewableEnergy #SolexEnergy #SolarModules #BESS #indiannavyoperationsindoor

I shifted to #rooftopsolar around 2 years ago. Even after using AC (mainly at night) or occasionally during day time, my current electricity bill, generated today stands at zero. How this happened? Usually from Sept-March due to lesser heavy loads like AC, rooftop solar consumers often report zero power bills. However, the crucial time comes during the summers from April to July being the peak power bills, even for #solar users. However, increasing energy efficient devices, judicially using heavy loads can bring down solar net meter bills to zero easily between April to June. As the generation also reaches peak. In May for my 3.24kW system, I got the peak generation of 19.9 units of power on a single day. The average is around 18 units. Technology is #monoPERC and bifacial modules.

For 4 years, I cycled to office almost every day. 🚴 It started in Bengaluru in 2011 while working at #DeccanHerald. Office was at MG Road, I stayed near Koramangala, and one decision changed my routine forever. What began as a commute slowly became: • Better fitness • Lower stress • Money saved on fuel • Less time stuck in traffic • More clarity and energy I cycled nearly 15 km daily in Bengaluru and later continued in Pune while working at #timesofindia. Some of my best memories came from those rides: Morning routes near #PuneUniversity, quieter roads, fresh air, and discovering parts of the city most people miss from inside a car. I eventually shifted to bikes and cars because of work schedules and city conditions. But those cycling years still remain one of the healthiest phases of my life. Sometimes, simple habits create the biggest long-term impact.

We recently visited #Chennai for a #solar exhibition and besides the great conversations with the industry leaders what really remained in our minds were the South India specials. Food rich in several plant species.

From Losses To Profit: Is #BorosilRenewables Entering A New Growth Phase? 👀 After years of pressure from ultra-cheap #China imports and weak overseas operations, India’s leading listed #SolarGlass maker may finally be seeing a turnaround. Q4 FY26 signals: ✅ ₹169 crore profit after previous quarter losses ✅ Strong jump in domestic revenues ✅ Better margins & operating cash flow ✅ Inventory correction underway The biggest shift? 🇮🇳 India operations are now outperforming overseas business. Its troubled German subsidiaries, once a major drag on the balance sheet, have now been deconsolidated after insolvency proceedings — potentially reducing a long-standing burden on the company. At the same time, India’s policy push through #AntiDumping duties, #BasicCustomsDuty and support for domestic solar manufacturing is finally beginning to reflect in the numbers. One quarter doesn’t confirm a full turnaround. But Borosil Renewables’ recovery could become an important signal for India’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing ecosystem. And increasingly, India’s solar story is no longer just about modules and cells. #SolarGlass is becoming a strategic battleground too. Read the full report here👇 lnkd.in/gb9Khyh5

#MNRE has now officially clarified when solar module manufacturers can reject warranty claims under government-backed rooftop and distributed solar schemes. And this could become a very important development for India’s rapidly growing rooftop solar market. Under the new SOP, warranty claims may be denied in cases involving: ⚠️ Improper installation ⚠️ Unauthorised modifications ⚠️ BIS/IEC norm violations ⚠️ Corrosion-prone environments without safeguards ⚠️ Voltage surges, shading stress, mishandling, or negligence What makes the framework particularly significant is that MNRE has now standardised: ✔️ warranty management ✔️ claims settlement ✔️ testing protocols ✔️ complaint timelines ✔️ manufacturer accountability across schemes like #PMSuryaGhar, #PMKUSUM and other MNRE programmes. Another notable clarification: Wars, riots, logistics disruptions or supply-chain issues cannot be cited as “force majeure” for denying warranty claims. Only natural disasters qualify. The SOP also mandates: 🔋 10-year product warranty 📈 25-year performance warranty 🏢 NABL-accredited testing for disputes ⏱ Complaint acknowledgement within 48 hours As India’s distributed solar ecosystem expands rapidly, this framework may significantly influence installer accountability, manufacturer liability and consumer protection standards in the sector. #SolarEnergy #RooftopSolar #RenewableEnergy #SolarModules #IndiaEnergy #ALMM #EnergyTransition #BESS