Maharashtra Open Access Solar Charges FY 2026-27: Wheeling, CSS

Direct Answer

The bottom line is that the landed cost of open-access solar in Maharashtra for FY 2026-27 ranges from approximately ₹4.00 to ₹7.50 per unit, depending on voltage level, project structure (group captive vs. third-party PPA), and applicable surcharges. The key charge components are wheeling charges (₹0.63 to ₹2.33 per kWh depending on voltage), cross-subsidy surcharge (zero for HT I Industry at distribution level, ₹0.13 to ₹0.37 per kWh for EHV Industry), transmission charges (approximately ₹0.40 per unit for MSETCL), and banking charges that vary by project structure.

In short, Maharashtra's MERC has created a relatively favorable open-access environment by setting cross-subsidy surcharge to zero for HT I (Industry) consumers at the distribution level under MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024, and by not allowing any additional surcharge for open-access transactions in the 5th Control Period. However, the revised ToD tariff structure and restricted banking window (effective March 2026) have compressed savings for C&I consumers, particularly for third-party open-access projects.

This means the group captive model remains the most cost-effective path for Maharashtra industries, with landed costs of approximately ₹5.50 to ₹6.00 per unit, compared to ₹7.00 to ₹7.50 per unit for third-party PPAs where CSS and additional surcharge apply. For a comprehensive comparison across states, see our solar open access state comparison India 2026 guide.

Key Takeaways

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• Wheeling charges (FY 2026-27): ₹2.33 per kWh for LT, ₹0.70 per kWh for HT, ₹0.04 per kWh for EHV (MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024)
• Cross-subsidy surcharge: Zero for HT I (Industry) at distribution level; ₹0.23 per kWh for EHV Industry in FY 2026-27
• Additional surcharge: Not levied by MERC for open-access transactions in the 5th Control Period (FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30)
• Transmission charges: Approximately ₹0.40 per unit for MSETCL (applicable at 132 kV and above)
• Banking window: Restricted to solar hours (09:00 to 17:00) with monthly lapse of unutilized banked energy (MERC order, March 2026)
• Group captive exemption: CSS and additional surcharge fully waived for group captive projects with 26% equity
• Open access threshold: 100 kW for Green Energy Open Access (GEOA), 1 MW for standard open access
• Grid tariff comparison: MSEDCL HT industrial tariff approximately ₹9.00 per unit for FY 2026-27, making open-access solar 20 to 35% cheaper even after all charges

Verified Charge Table: FY 2026-27 Open Access Components

Understanding Each Charge Component

1. Wheeling Charges

Wheeling charges are the fees paid to the local distribution company (MSEDCL, BEST, Tata Power, or Adani Electricity) for using their network to transport solar electricity from a remote generation site to your facility. These charges vary significantly by voltage level, with LT consumers paying the highest rates due to greater network usage and losses.

The MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024 approved wheeling charges for the 5th Control Period (FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30). For FY 2026-27 (labeled as FY25-27 in the MERC order's fiscal notation), the charges are ₹2.33 per kWh for LT, ₹0.70 per kWh for HT, and ₹0.04 per kWh for EHV.

To summarize, the voltage level at which you draw power has a dramatic impact on your landed cost. An HT industrial consumer drawing power at 33 kV or 11 kV pays ₹0.70 per kWh in wheeling, while an LT consumer drawing at 415V pays ₹2.33 per kWh, more than three times as much. This means HT consumers have a natural advantage in open-access solar economics.

2. Cross-Subsidy Surcharge (CSS)

Cross-subsidy surcharge is designed to compensate the DISCOM for losing a high-paying commercial or industrial customer to open access. The CSS is calculated as the difference between the applicable retail tariff and the cost of supply, adjusted for the open-access consumer category.

The most significant finding from the MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024 is that CSS for HT I (Industry) at the distribution level is set to zero for FY 2026-27. This is a major advantage for HT industrial consumers in Maharashtra compared to other states where CSS can range from ₹1.50 to ₹2.80 per unit.

However, EHV Industry consumers face a CSS of ₹0.23 per kWh in FY 2026-27, which is still relatively low compared to national averages. The CSS trajectory over the control period shows a declining trend: ₹0.37 (FY 2025-26), ₹0.23 (FY 2026-27), ₹0.13 (FY 2027-28), ₹0.24 (FY 2028-29), and ₹0.28 (FY 2029-30).

For commercial consumers, CSS is higher: ₹0.21 per kWh for HT II Commercial (distribution level) and ₹0.64 per kWh for EHV Commercial in FY 2026-27.

The bottom line is that the zero-CSS regime for HT I Industry makes Maharashtra one of the more favorable states for industrial open-access solar. For more on how this compares nationally, see our open access solar India guide.

3. Additional Surcharge (AS)

Additional surcharge covers the "stranded cost" of power purchase agreements the DISCOM has already signed but cannot fully utilize due to open-access consumers bypassing the grid. In a significant pro-industry move, MERC has not allowed the levy of any additional surcharge for open-access transactions during the 5th Control Period (FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30), as stated in the MERC MYT Press Note dated March 2025.

This means open-access solar consumers in Maharashtra do not pay additional surcharge, unlike in several other states where it can add ₹0.50 to ₹1.00 per unit to the landed cost.

4. Transmission Charges (MSETCL)

Transmission charges are paid to the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL) for using the high-voltage transmission network (132 kV and above). These charges are separate from wheeling charges, which cover the distribution network.

Industry estimates place MSETCL transmission charges at approximately ₹0.40 per unit for FY 2026-27, though exact figures should be verified with MSETCL's latest tariff orders. The MERC Case No. 208 of 2024 covers the InSTS Tariff Order for the 5th Control Period, which determines transmission charges for the intra-state transmission system.

In short, transmission charges only apply if your solar plant connects at 132 kV or higher. If both the generation and consumption points are within the same distribution network, you may not incur separate transmission charges, only wheeling charges.

5. Banking Charges

Banking allows open-access consumers to deposit surplus solar energy with the DISCOM during generation hours and withdraw it later during non-generation hours. MERC's revised banking rules (effective March 2026) significantly restrict this flexibility:

• Banking window: Reduced to approximately 8 hours per day (solar hours, 09:00 to 17:00), down from approximately 17 hours earlier
• Monthly lapse: Unutilized banked energy lapses every month, in line with Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) rules
• ToD alignment: Banked energy can only be drawn within the same or lower tariff time blocks
• Peak hour restriction: Open-access consumers cannot utilize banked energy during peak hours (17:00 to 24:00)

This means the revised banking rules have reduced the margin of safety for open-access projects. CareEdge Ratings estimates that group captive projects may see their margin of safety moderate from 30 to 40% down to 20 to 30%, while third-party open access margins could decline to low single digits.

Landed Cost Calculation: Voltage-Wise Examples

Example 1: HT Industrial Consumer at 33 kV (Group Captive)

Example 2: HT Industrial Consumer at 33 kV (Third-Party PPA)

Example 3: EHV Industrial Consumer at 132 kV (Group Captive)

Example 4: LT Industrial Consumer at 415V (Third-Party PPA)

The bottom line is that LT consumers face significantly higher landed costs due to elevated wheeling charges, making open-access solar less attractive at LT voltage levels. HT and EHV consumers benefit from lower wheeling charges and, in the case of EHV, still-low CSS.

Captive and Group Captive Treatment

Captive Consumers

Captive consumers (those who own at least 26% equity in the solar plant and consume at least 51% of the energy generated for own use) are generally exempt from CSS under the Electricity Act, 2003. They are not considered "open access consumers" in the traditional sense, which provides significant financial advantages.

Group Captive Structure

Group captive is a structure where multiple consumers collectively hold at least 26% equity in a solar plant and consume at least 51% of the energy. This model combines the benefits of captive ownership (CSS and additional surcharge exemption) with the flexibility of open access (no need for each consumer to own and operate their own plant).

In Maharashtra, group captive projects benefit from:

• Full CSS waiver (already zero for HT I Industry, but critical for commercial and EHV categories)
• Full additional surcharge waiver (already not levied by MERC, but provides future-proofing)
• Lower banking charges due to better alignment of generation and consumption profiles across multiple consumers

To summarize, the group captive model is the gold standard for Maharashtra industries seeking to minimize open-access charges. For a detailed framework on structuring group captive projects, see our group captive solar India guide.

Commonly Missed Costs

1. ToD Tariff Impact on Banking

The revised ToD tariff structure (MERC order, March 2026) includes significant rebates during solar hours (negative 15% to negative 25% of energy charge) and higher charges during peak hours (positive 20% to 25%). This means the grid tariff during solar hours is already reduced, making open-access solar less competitive during those hours. The effective grid tariff during solar hours for HT industrial consumers could be as low as ₹5.50 to ₹6.00 per unit after the ToD rebate, compared to approximately ₹9.00 per unit as the base tariff.

2. Monthly Banking Lapse

Many consumers fail to account for the monthly lapse of unutilized banked energy. If your solar generation profile does not align with your consumption profile, you may lose a significant portion of banked energy each month. This is particularly impactful for consumers with heavy evening or nighttime loads.

3. Special Energy Meter (SEM) Costs

Open-access consumers must install Special Energy Meters (SEM) for time-of-day logging. These meters and their maintenance represent an additional cost that is often overlooked in landed-cost calculations.

4. MSLDC and STU Charges

For short-term open access, the Maharashtra State Load Despatch Centre (MSLDC) acts as the nodal agency. For medium and long-term open access, the State Transmission Utility (STU) serves as the nodal agency. Associated charges for these entities should be factored into the total cost.

5. Wheeling Loss Impact

Wheeling losses (2.29% for LT, 0.37% for HT, 0.00% for EHV) effectively reduce the energy you receive at the consumption point. If you inject 100 units at the generation end, you may only receive 97.71 units at LT, 99.63 units at HT, or 100 units at EHV. This loss should be modeled as an additional per-unit cost.

This means accurate landed-cost modeling requires accounting for all these components, not just the headline wheeling and CSS figures. For help with detailed financial modeling, see our solar IRR calculation methodology India and solar panel ROI payback period India guides.

Verification Steps for Your Project

Step 1: Confirm Your Voltage Level and Consumer Category

Check your MSEDCL electricity bill to confirm your supply voltage level (LT, HT, or EHV) and consumer category (HT I Industry, HT II Commercial, etc.). This determines your applicable wheeling charges and CSS.

Step 2: Verify Wheeling Charges

Refer to the MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024 for the approved wheeling charges for your voltage level and fiscal year. The Tata Power regulatory page hosts the approved wheeling charges and CSS table. For MSEDCL consumers, verify against the MSEDCL MYT Order (Case No. 217 of 2024 and subsequent review orders).

Step 3: Confirm CSS Applicability

Check whether your consumer category has CSS set to zero (as is the case for HT I Industry at distribution level in FY 2026-27) or a positive value. If you are a group captive consumer, confirm your exemption status.

Step 4: Verify Additional Surcharge Status

Confirm that MERC has not introduced an additional surcharge since the date of this article. As of the MERC MYT Press Note (March 2025), no additional surcharge is levied for open-access transactions in the 5th Control Period.

Step 5: Model the Complete Landed Cost

Use the landed-cost framework above to calculate your all-in cost, including wheeling, transmission, CSS, additional surcharge, losses, banking charges, and SEM costs. Compare this to your current grid tariff to determine savings.

Step 6: Check Banking Rules for Your Project Structure

Verify the current banking window and monthly lapse rules applicable to your project. The MERC order dated March 2026 has significantly restricted banking flexibility, and further changes may occur.

Stress-Testing Your Landed Cost

Scenario 1: Favorable Conditions

• EHV connection, group captive, aligned load profile
• Landed cost: approximately ₹4.00 to ₹4.80 per unit
• Savings versus grid: approximately 45 to 55%

Scenario 2: Moderate Conditions

• HT connection, group captive, moderate load alignment
• Landed cost: approximately ₹5.30 to ₹6.00 per unit
• Savings versus grid: approximately 33 to 40%

Scenario 3: Challenging Conditions

• HT connection, third-party PPA, poor load alignment, high banking losses
• Landed cost: approximately ₹6.50 to ₹7.50 per unit
• Savings versus grid: approximately 15 to 25%

Scenario 4: Unfavorable Conditions

• LT connection, third-party PPA, poor load alignment
• Landed cost: approximately ₹6.74 to ₹8.00 per unit
• Savings versus grid: approximately 10 to 20%

In short, the savings from open-access solar in Maharashtra can range from 10% to 55% depending on your specific conditions. The key variables are voltage level, project structure (group captive vs. third-party), and load-generation alignment. For help evaluating different procurement models, see our RESCO OPEX solar model India article and solar EPC company India guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum load required for solar open access in Maharashtra?

Under the Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) rules, any consumer with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more can opt for solar open access. For standard open access (non-green), the threshold is 1 MW. The 100 kW threshold was introduced through the MERC Distribution Open Access (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023, aligning with the central Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022.

What are the wheeling charges for HT consumers in Maharashtra for FY 2026-27?

The approved wheeling charge for HT consumers in Maharashtra for FY 2026-27 is ₹0.70 per kWh, as per MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024. This is a reduction from ₹0.80 per kWh in FY 2025-26. The corresponding wheeling loss for HT is 0.37%.

Is cross-subsidy surcharge applicable to HT industrial consumers in Maharashtra?

For HT I (Industry) consumers at the distribution level, the cross-subsidy surcharge is set to zero for FY 2026-27 under MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024. However, EHV Industry consumers face a CSS of ₹0.23 per kWh in FY 2026-27. Group captive consumers are exempt from CSS under the Electricity Act, 2003.

Is additional surcharge levied on open-access solar in Maharashtra?

No. MERC has not allowed the levy of any additional surcharge for open-access transactions during the 5th Control Period (FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30), as stated in the MERC MYT Press Note dated March 2025. This is a significant advantage for open-access solar consumers in Maharashtra.

How do the revised banking rules affect open-access solar in Maharashtra?

The MERC order dated March 2026 restricted the banking window to approximately 8 hours per day (solar hours, 09:00 to 17:00), with unutilized banked energy lapsing monthly. Banked energy can only be drawn within the same or lower tariff time blocks. This has significantly reduced the flexibility for C&I consumers and compressed savings, particularly for third-party open-access projects.

What is the landed cost of open-access solar in Maharashtra for FY 2026-27?

The landed cost ranges from approximately ₹4.00 per unit (EHV, group captive, aligned load) to ₹7.50 per unit (LT, third-party PPA, poor load alignment). For a typical HT industrial consumer with a group captive structure, the landed cost is approximately ₹5.30 to ₹6.00 per unit, compared to a grid tariff of approximately ₹9.00 per unit.

Can I avail both rooftop net metering and open access simultaneously in Maharashtra?

Yes. MERC confirmed this through the DOA (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023, and reinforced it in Case No. 213 of 2025. Consumers with rooftop solar can simultaneously avail open access, with net-metering adjustments applied to their open-access bills. For more details, see our net metering policy India guide.

How does Maharashtra compare to other states for open-access solar charges?

Maharashtra is relatively favorable for HT industrial consumers due to the zero CSS for HT I Industry at the distribution level and no additional surcharge. However, the restricted banking window and ToD tariff changes have somewhat reduced the attractiveness. For a detailed national comparison, see our solar open access state comparison India 2026 guide. For broader context on commercial and industrial solar trends, our overview article provides additional insights.

Sources

1. MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024 - Approved Wheeling Charges and Cross Subsidy Surcharge for Distribution Open Access - Tata Power Regulatory Page. URL: https://www.tatapower.com/regulatory/licence-area-mumbai/consumer/open-access/distribution-open-access/wheeling-charges-and-cross-subsidy-surcharge-for-doa-as-per-merc-myt-order-210-of-2024.pdf

2. MERC MYT Press Note for MSEDCL (5th Control Period, FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30) - MERC. URL: https://merc.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Press-Note_MSEDCL-MYT-Order_English.pdf

3. MERC Distribution Open Access (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023 - MERC. URL: https://merc.gov.in/regulation_type/current-regulations-open-access/

4. MERC Green Energy Open Access Regulations notification - Reported by Renewable Watch, August 14, 2023. URL: https://renewablewatch.in/2023/08/14/merc-notifies-green-energy-open-access-regulations/

5. CareEdge Ratings report: Peak Power Costlier, Solar Cheaper - MERC ToD Changes Hit Open Access - URL: https://www.careratings.com/uploads/newsfiles/1779945292_Peak%20Power%20Costlier%20Solar%20Cheaper.pdf

6. MERC Order, Case No. 213 of 2025 (Simultaneous net metering and open access) - JMK Research. URL: https://jmkresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MERC-Permits-C-I-Consumers-to-Avail-Both-Net-Metering-and-Open-Access-Benefits-Simultaneously.pdf

7. MSEDCL Tariff Details page (MYT Tariff Orders, Case No. 75 of 2025 and Case No. 217 of 2024) - URL: https://www.mahadiscom.in/en/consumer/tariff-details/

8. MSEDCL Distribution Open Access Regulation page - URL: https://www.mahadiscom.in/en/distribution-open-access-regulation-2/

9. MERC suo motu order on generic rooftop solar tariff for FY 2026-27 - Saur Energy, March 31, 2026. URL: https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/merc-sets-rooftop-solar-tariff-at-rs-282kwh-for-fy27-11439440

10. Mercom India report on MERC net metering with open access ruling - URL: https://www.mercomindia.com/merc-allows-net-metering-with-open-access-for-rooftop-solar-project

11. MAHASTU (MSETCL) Transmission Tariff Related page - URL: https://www.mahastu.in/reg_com/Transmission_View_Eng/

12. Open Access Exchange - Maharashtra Open Access Regulatory Policies - URL: https://www.openaccessexchange.com/policies/maharashtra-open-access-regulatory-policies/

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Regulatory status last checked: August 4, 2026. All charge rates, regulatory citations, and landed-cost calculations are based on MERC and MSEDCL orders and regulations available as of this date. Wheeling charges and CSS are subject to revision by MERC through subsequent tariff orders. The banking rules and ToD tariff structure were most recently revised in March 2026 and may be further modified. Always verify current charges with MERC, MSEDCL, or a qualified open-access consultant before making investment decisions. Exact MSETCL transmission charges should be confirmed with the latest MSETCL/MERC tariff order, as the ₹0.40 per unit figure is an industry estimate that may vary.