Haryana Commercial Building Solar Mandate: 3–5% Connected Load Guide

Haryana requires commercial complexes, offices, malls, hotels and similar buildings with a connected load of 50 kW or more to install rooftop solar equal to 3–5% of that connected load. The rule, established under the Haryana Solar Power Policy 2016 and its addenda and carried forward through HERC's rooftop solar regulations, applies to both existing and new buildings, needs no separate building-plan sanctioning authority permission, and exempts rooftop solar from electricity duty, wheeling, cross-subsidy and transmission/distribution charges.

Key Takeaways

• Mandate: commercial buildings with connected load ≥ 50 kW must install solar = 3–5% of connected load.
• Scope: commercial complexes, offices, malls, hotels, hospitals and similar establishments — existing and new.
• Metering: net metering up to 500 kW (or sanctioned load, whichever is lower); net billing 500 kW–1 MW; 1–2 MW systems need 25% / 2-hour battery storage.
• Transformer cap: cumulative rooftop solar in an area cannot exceed 50% (LT) or 30% (HT) of the local distribution transformer capacity.
• No building-plan permission is required to set up a rooftop solar plant, and rooftop solar is exempt from electricity duty, wheeling, cross-subsidy and T&D charges.
• The draft Haryana Solar Policy 2026 adds a 100% cross-subsidy-surcharge waiver for open access and mandates for new government buildings ≥ 500 sq yards — confirm its final notified text before relying on it.

What buildings does the Haryana solar mandate cover?

The mandate applies to commercial and institutional buildings with a connected load of 50 kW and above — covering shopping malls, office complexes, hotels, hospitals, educational institutions and similar establishments. It applies to both existing buildings and new constructions, so a mall built before the policy is still obligated, not just greenfield projects.

A 200 kW connected-load office complex, for example, must install at least 6–10 kW of rooftop solar (3–5% of 200 kW). A 1,000 kW mall must install 30–50 kW. Because the obligation is a percentage of connected load rather than roof area, dense commercial buildings with large loads but modest roof area may need to size carefully — and the transformer cap (below) can further limit how much can be net-metered in a given area.

How is the 3–5% solar capacity calculated?

The installed capacity cannot exceed 100% of the sanctioned load under the net-metering framework, and the cumulative solar capacity installed in a given area is capped at 50% of the local distribution transformer capacity for LT connections and 30% for HT connections. A building that hits the transformer cap before reaching its 3–5% target should work with DHBVN/UHBVN on transformer augmentation or a net-billing route. See our DHBVN net metering application guide for the technical-feasibility and approval process.

Net metering, net billing and the 1–2 MW battery rule

Under HERC's Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive Systems Regulations, 2021 (as amended in 2024 and 2025), the metering route depends on system size:

For most mandated commercial buildings (3–50 kW of solar), net metering is the route. Large complexes that want to go well beyond the 5% minimum into the 1–2 MW band must pair the plant with battery storage — see our NCR solar + BESS business case. Compare metering structures in our net metering vs gross metering vs net billing guide.

What exemptions and waivers does Haryana give rooftop solar?

The policy deliberately strips cost out of rooftop solar to make the mandate low-friction:

• No building-plan sanctioning authority permission required to set up a rooftop solar plant.
• Electricity duty, cess, wheeling charges, cross-subsidy charges and transmission/distribution charges waived for rooftop solar projects.
• Exemption from External Development Charges (EDC), Scrutiny Fee and Infrastructure Development Charges (IDC) for the period the solar plant is operational.
• Grid-connected rooftop plants are eligible for RPO/REC benefits.

These waivers apply to on-site rooftop solar under net metering/net billing — they do not automatically apply to open-access power from off-site plants, which is governed separately by HERC's open-access surcharge framework. See our HERC open access surcharge guide.

Compliance steps for a Haryana commercial building

1. Confirm connected load on the latest DHBVN/UHBVN bill and compute the 3–5% solar target.
2. Run a roof feasibility check — usable area, structural capacity, shading, AHU/skylight deductions. See our rooftop area guide.
3. Verify transformer capacity with the DISCOM against the 50% (LT) / 30% (HT) cumulative cap.
4. Apply for net metering through the DHBVN/UHBVN rooftop solar portal — application fee ₹1,000 (up to 100 kW) / ₹5,000 (100 kW–1 MW).
5. Install with an empaneled/qualified EPC using ALMM-listed Tier-1 modules and certified inverters.
6. Commission, inspect, and install the bidirectional meter — typical timeline 30–45 days from application to meter.
7. Document the exemption from electricity duty, EDC, scrutiny fee and IDC with the DISCOM and urban local body.

For multi-building portfolios (mall chains, hotel groups, hospital networks), a single EPC partner standardises design, BoM and reporting across sites. See our how to choose a solar EPC company guide.

Does the PM Surya Ghar subsidy apply to commercial buildings?

No. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana central subsidy (₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW, ₹78,000 for 3 kW+) is residential only. Commercial buildings in Haryana do not receive PM Surya Ghar support and should not model it into their payback. Commercial economics instead rest on the high HT tariff avoided, the charge waivers above, and accelerated depreciation under the CAPEX model — see our solar tax benefits guide and PM Surya Ghar guide.

What is changing in the draft Haryana Solar Policy 2026?

A draft Haryana Solar Policy circulated in early 2026 proposes several additions relevant to commercial buyers — treat these as draft until formally notified:

• 100% cross-subsidy-surcharge waiver for open-access solar, strengthening the off-site route for large consumers.
• Mandate for solar rooftops on new government buildings with plot area ≥ 500 sq yards.
• A 40% state subsidy over and above central subsidy (scope and eligibility to be confirmed in the notified text).
• "Solar Villages" where ≥ 75% of households have rooftop solar.

Before relying on the 100% CSS waiver or the 40% state subsidy in a business case, confirm the final notified policy on the HAREDA state policies page.

FAQ

Which buildings must install solar in Haryana?

Commercial complexes, offices, malls, hotels, hospitals and similar establishments with a connected load of 50 kW or more — both existing and new — must install rooftop solar equal to 3–5% of connected load.

How much solar must a 200 kW office install in Haryana?

3–5% of 200 kW = 6–10 kW of rooftop solar. The installed capacity cannot exceed the sanctioned load and is subject to the local transformer capacity cap.

Do I need municipal building-plan approval for rooftop solar in Haryana?

No. The policy explicitly states that no permission is required from the building-plan sanctioning authority to set up a rooftop solar plant. You still need DHBVN/UHBVN net-metering approval and a structural safety sign-off.

Is net metering available for Haryana commercial buildings?

Yes — up to 500 kW or the sanctioned load, whichever is lower. Systems of 500 kW–1 MW use net billing, and 1–2 MW systems must include 25% / 2-hour battery storage. See our DHBVN net metering guide.

Are electricity duty and wheeling charges waived for Haryana rooftop solar?

Yes. Rooftop solar projects in Haryana are exempt from electricity duty, cess, wheeling charges, cross-subsidy charges and transmission/distribution charges, plus EDC, scrutiny fee and IDC for the operational period.

Does the PM Surya Ghar subsidy apply to my mall or hotel?

No. PM Surya Ghar is residential only. Commercial buildings model payback on avoided HT tariff, charge waivers and accelerated depreciation instead.

Sources

• HAREDA — Haryana State Policies (Haryana Solar Power Policy 2016, addenda, HERC rooftop regulations)
• Haryana Solar Power Policy 2016 — rooftop mandate and exemptions (policy text via HAREDA)
• HERC Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive Systems Regulations, 2021 — DHBVN Sales Circular D-33/2021
• HERC Rooftop Solar Regulations, 2021 — Second Amendment, 2025 (DHBVN D-23/2025)
• DHBVN Commercial Sales Circulars 2025 (tariff, net metering, PM-Surya Ghar fee waivers)

Policy specifics can be amended by HERC/HAREDA order. Before procurement, confirm the current notified text of the Haryana Solar Power Policy, the HERC Rooftop Solar Regulations and any 2026 policy notification with DHBVN/UHBVN and a qualified legal/EPC advisor. Sun Wave Technologies handles this verification as part of every Haryana commercial solar engagement.