Solar Open Access Charges by State: India FY 2026-27

Which states have the cheapest solar open access charges in FY 2026-27?

For FY 2026-27, Uttar Pradesh (HV-2 industrial consumers at 11 kV) and Maharashtra (HT-I Industry) carry the lowest regulated open access charge stacks in India, below ₹1.50/kWh before transmission, while Haryana's third-party stack of approximately ₹4.00/kWh makes group captive the only economically viable solar route there. Punjab (₹1.99/kWh before in-kind charges) and Madhya Pradesh (₹1.66 to ₹2.84/kWh) sit mid-table, and Rajasthan and Gujarat remain competitive. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu offer attractive economics for captive consumers despite moderate CSS rates.

TL;DR: The lowest third-party stacks are UP HV-2 at 11 kV (wheeling ₹0.93 plus CSS ₹0.38) and Maharashtra HT-I (CSS zero). The highest are Haryana (about ₹4.00) and Madhya Pradesh above contract demand (₹2.84 before transmission). Since the last update, Gujarat's banking charge fell to ₹1.00/unit while its additional surcharge rose to ₹0.99/kWh, and Punjab's additional surcharge was carried forward provisionally past 30 September 2026.

Last verified: 27 October 2026

What changed since the 7 October 2026 update

• Punjab and Madhya Pradesh added with dedicated guides: Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. NPCL (Noida) is shown separately from the other UP DISCOMs.
• Gujarat: banking charge ₹1.00/unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 (was ₹1.50); additional surcharge ₹0.99/kWh from 1 October 2026 (was ₹0.76).
• Uttar Pradesh: the 2 July 2026 order sets intra-state transmission at ₹0.3075/kWh and does not determine an additional surcharge for the state DISCOMs. NPCL's order sets it at zero.
• Haryana: no new additional surcharge order found as of 27 October 2026; ₹1.37/kWh (effective 30 April 2026) still operates and the October 2026 to March 2027 revision is pending.

Contents

• How to read this table
• Master comparison table: all states
• State notes (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, NPCL, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi)
• ISTS waiver phase-out and GEOA 100 kW rules
• How the landed cost is calculated
• Group captive versus third-party open access
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to read this table

The table below compares regulated open access charges only: what each state's regulator has approved for wheeling, cross-subsidy surcharge (CSS), additional surcharge and banking. It does not include the solar PPA tariff (typically ₹2.80 to ₹3.50/kWh for ground-mount solar in FY 2026-27) or intra-state transmission losses (typically 3% to 6% deducted in kind).

Indicative total OA charges = wheeling + CSS + additional surcharge (at HT, third-party open access, using the mid-range where a range is given). Banking charges are shown separately because they apply only when energy is banked. The full landed solar cost adds the PPA tariff, transmission and losses on top.

All figures are for HT industrial consumers on third-party open access unless stated otherwise. Captive and group captive consumers are exempt from CSS and, in most states, from additional surcharge under Section 42 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

Sources are the primary regulatory orders cited. Verify figures against the operative schedule before use in a proposal.

Master comparison table: all states

Key: 3P = third-party open access; HT = High Tension; est. = estimated (not from primary order); GEOA = Green Energy Open Access threshold per GEOA Rules 2022. Captive consumers are exempt from CSS and, in most states, additional surcharge. Verify all figures against operative SERC orders before using in proposals.

State notes

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is India's largest solar state and one of the most active open access markets. The RERC DISCOM Tariff Order dated 30 March 2026 sets CSS at ₹1.48/kWh and additional surcharge at ₹0.50/kWh for FY 2026-27, both lower than the ₹1.58 and ₹0.72 cited in older summaries of this article. Wheeling varies sharply with voltage: ₹0.69/kWh at 11 kV falls to ₹0.01/kWh at 132 kV and above, making plant location and voltage level a critical factor in cost modelling. Banking is charged at 8% in-kind.

See the full Rajasthan open access charges guide for the voltage-wise breakdown and captive treatment.

Gujarat

Gujarat's GERC issued its FY 2026-27 tariff orders on 25 March 2026. Wheeling at HT (11/22/33 kV) increased to ₹0.2352/kWh (up 14.6%) and CSS rose to ₹1.33/kWh (up 3.1%). The additional surcharge was ₹0.76/kWh for April to September 2026 (down from ₹1.00) and GERC has set it at ₹0.99/kWh for 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, as reported by several trade outlets. Wheeling losses dropped to 6.5% from 7.25%.

On banking, GERC's Sixth Amendment to its Green Energy Open Access Regulations (Notification No. 07 of 2026, 19 August 2026) cut the banking charge from ₹1.50 to ₹1.00 per unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 it will be set annually on a cost basis, with GERC able to hold it between ₹0.50 and ₹1.50 per unit. For RE open access, CSS is capped so it cannot increase by more than 50% of the surcharge fixed at the time open access was granted, over 12 years.

See the full Gujarat open access charges guide for the verified charge table.

Uttar Pradesh

UPERC's Tariff Order dated 2 July 2026 for the state DISCOMs sets the distribution wheeling charge at ₹0.9318/kWh and caps CSS at the lower of the November 2025 approved value or the newly calculated value, a regulatory protection that prevents sudden CSS increases. For HV-2 (Large and Heavy Power) industrial consumers, CSS is ₹0.38/kWh at 11 kV and ₹0.49/kWh above 11 kV up to 66 kV. Intra-state transmission for open access users is ₹0.3075/kWh under the UPPTCL order recorded in the same order. Consumers connected directly to the State Transmission Network do not pay distribution wheeling charges.

We found no additional surcharge determination for the state DISCOMs in the 2 July 2026 order or on UPERC's tariff-order index as of 27 October 2026, so the table shows none set. Verify with your DISCOM, because a petition could follow. See the full UP open access charges guide.

UP: NPCL (Noida)

Noida Power Company has its own UPERC order of 2 July 2026 (Petition No. 2330 of 2025). Average wheeling is ₹1.03/kWh (up from ₹0.78), HV-2 CSS is ₹0.57/kWh at 11 kV and ₹0.51/kWh above 11 kV up to 66 kV, and the additional surcharge is approved at zero. Embedded open access customers already paying demand charges need not pay NPCL wheeling. See the NPCL open access charges guide.

Haryana

Haryana is the most expensive major state for third-party open access solar. The HERC FY 2026-27 tariff order stacks four charges: wheeling ₹0.73/unit, CSS ₹1.45/unit, additional network cost ₹0.45/unit, and additional surcharge ₹1.37/unit (raised from ₹1.21 and effective from 30 April 2026), totalling approximately ₹4.00/unit before energy, transmission losses and SLDC fees. HERC revises the additional surcharge every six months. We found no order for October 2026 to March 2027 as of 27 October 2026, and the DISCOM petition listings show no newer filing, so ₹1.37 remains the operative figure and the revision is pending.

This makes third-party solar barely competitive or unviable against grid tariffs. Group captive solar, which avoids CSS and the additional surcharge, is the default structure for virtually every viable Haryana C&I solar deal in 2026. See the Haryana open access charges guide for the operative figures.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is significantly more competitive for HT industrial consumers than older summaries of this article suggest. Under MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024 (covering the 5th Control Period FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30), CSS for HT-I Industry at the distribution level is set to zero for FY 2026-27, and additional surcharge is not levied in the 5th Control Period. The HT wheeling charge is ₹0.70/kWh. For EHV Industry, CSS is ₹0.23/kWh, still very low by national standards. The key constraint in Maharashtra is the banking window (restricted) and MERC's 1 MW open access threshold (higher than most states). Landed costs for HT-I group captive consumers are approximately ₹5.30 to ₹6.00/unit, but third-party OA at HT-I is now far more viable than in prior years due to zero CSS.

Note: earlier versions of this article cited a Maharashtra CSS of approximately ₹3.20/unit. That figure was incorrect. The verified figure under MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024 is zero CSS for HT-I Industry.

See the Maharashtra open access charges guide for the full MYT charge schedule and banking rules.

Karnataka

Karnataka's KERC Multi-Year Tariff Order covering FY 2025-26 to FY 2027-28 offers the best tariff visibility in India. Wheeling charges at HT (33 kV and above) range from ₹0.40 to ₹0.70/unit, among the lowest in the country. The additional surcharge was cut from ₹0.82 to ₹0.40/unit by KERC in February 2026. The GEOA threshold of 100 kW is the lowest of any major state, enabling mid-market C&I buyers to participate. Banking is monthly at 8% in-kind until March 2030. CSS was upheld by the Karnataka High Court in June 2026. Karnataka's third-party OA economics (landed ₹5.50 to ₹6.80/unit) are more competitive than Haryana or Tamil Nadu third-party OA.

See the Karnataka open access charges guide for the voltage-wise ESCOM breakdown.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu's TNERC GEOA Regulations 2025 introduced an 8% in-kind banking charge (previously zero) and restricted monthly banking to GEOA consumers only, so third-party OA transactions can no longer bank energy. CSS for third-party OA is ₹1.00 to ₹1.50/unit (HT), making the captive route substantially cheaper: ₹4.00 to ₹4.50/unit landed for captive versus ₹5.80 to ₹7.00/unit for third-party. The TANTRANSCO transmission charge (₹0.40 to ₹0.60/unit) adds a significant layer that consumers in states with distributed generation closer to load avoid.

See the Tamil Nadu open access charges guide.

Punjab

PSPCL's circulars for FY 2026-27 set CSS at ₹0.86/kWh for Large Supply (₹1.22 for Non-Residential and Bulk Supply) and charge in-state solar 2% of injected energy for transmission and wheeling, plus 2.19% transmission loss and 1.5% (33 kV) to 4.0% (11 kV) distribution loss in kind. The additional surcharge is ₹1.13/kWh for full open access and for GEOA beyond contract demand, and ₹0.78/kWh for non-GEOA partial open access within contract demand. PSERC's order of 30 September 2026 continues those rates provisionally from 1 October 2026 until a final order. On a ₹3.50/kWh solar price our worked example lands at ₹5.45 to ₹5.80/kWh against PSPCL's ₹5.90/kVAh large-industry energy charge, so group captive does most of the work. See the Punjab open access charges guide.

Madhya Pradesh

MPERC's order of 26 March 2026 (Petition No. 140/2025) sets wheeling at ₹0.17/kWh at 33 kV and ₹0.69/kWh at 11 kV, CSS at ₹1.49/kWh for HV-3.1 industrial consumers (₹0.90 for HV-3.4 power-intensive) and the additional surcharge at ₹1.18/kWh, which does not apply to open access within contract demand. MPERC's Standard Operating Procedure of 17 August 2026 sets banking at 8% in kind over a three-month cycle with a 30% cap. See the Madhya Pradesh open access charges guide.

Delhi

The DERC published a draft First Amendment to the Green Energy Open Access Regulations on 15 April 2026, proposing to allow 100 kW LT consumers (including aggregated connections) to participate in green open access. This is not yet finalised; consumers should not contract or invest on the basis of the draft. See the Delhi GEOA draft explainer.

ISTS waiver phase-out and GEOA 100 kW rules

ISTS waiver phase-out

The Ministry of Power's inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charge and loss waiver, which benefited RE projects commissioned before successive MoP deadlines, has been substantially wound down for new projects. RE projects commissioned after the last applicable cutoff (broadly, June 2026 for the final categories) now bear ISTS charges that add approximately ₹0.50 to ₹1.00/unit for power wheeled across state boundaries. This materially changes the economics of interstate open access: a Rajasthan solar plant supplying a factory in Haryana or UP is no longer cost-neutral to intrastate supply on ISTS charges alone. Buyers modelling interstate procurement must confirm whether their project qualifies for any residual waiver and model ISTS costs explicitly. See our ISTS waiver phase-out guide.

GEOA 100 kW threshold

The Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022 set a national minimum threshold of 100 kW contracted demand for green energy open access, replacing the earlier 1 MW floor for conventional OA in most states. Most states (Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and for renewable users Punjab and Madhya Pradesh) have adopted the 100 kW threshold for GEOA consumers. Maharashtra retains 1 MW for conventional open access but has aligned with 100 kW for the GEOA category. Delhi's draft proposes 100 kW for LT consumers. The practical implication: consumers with 100 to 999 kW contracted load who were previously excluded from open access can now participate in green energy open access, subject to network availability, metering, and scheduling compliance. See the Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022 guide for the full framework.

How the landed cost is calculated

The full landed cost of open access solar has five components:

Landed Cost = Solar PPA Tariff + Wheeling Charge + CSS (if applicable) + Additional Surcharge (if applicable) + Transmission Losses (in-kind deduction)

• Solar PPA Tariff: Typically ₹2.80 to ₹3.50/kWh for ground-mount solar in competitive markets in FY 2026-27. Similar across states for comparable plant sizes and IRR expectations.
• Wheeling Charge: Approved by each state SERC. Falls sharply with voltage; a 132 kV consumer in Rajasthan pays ₹0.01/kWh versus ₹0.69/kWh at 11 kV.
• Cross-Subsidy Surcharge (CSS): The largest variable. Group captive consumers are exempt under Section 42 of the Electricity Act. Third-party consumers pay the full rate. CSS waived or zero: Maharashtra HT-I, UP HV-2 (very low at ₹0.38), Gujarat RE projects (50% cap over 12 years).
• Additional Surcharge: Not levied in Maharashtra for the 5th Control Period. Significant in Haryana (₹1.37/unit), Punjab (₹1.13/₹0.78), Madhya Pradesh (₹1.18, outside contract demand) and Gujarat (₹0.99 from October 2026). Zero in NPCL's area and reduced in Karnataka (₹0.40).
• Transmission Losses: Deducted in-kind (typically 3.5% to 6.5% of injected energy, depending on distance and voltage).

SLDC scheduling fees (₹0.02 to ₹0.10/unit), electricity duty, retained demand charges, and banking charges are additional items not shown in the master table. Gujarat's banking charge is now ₹1.00 per banked unit.

For a deeper dive into the cost model and the group captive versus third-party comparison, see our third-party vs group captive solar guide and the open access solar India guide.

Group captive versus third-party open access

Group captive solar, where the C&I consumer holds 26% or more equity in the solar plant and consumes at least 51% of its generation, eliminates CSS entirely and, in most states, exempts the additional surcharge too. This is the most impactful structural choice for any industrial buyer evaluating open access solar.

The benefit is largest in states with the highest CSS: Haryana (₹1.45/unit saved), Madhya Pradesh (₹1.49), Tamil Nadu (₹1.00 to ₹1.50), Gujarat (₹1.33), Rajasthan (₹1.48) and Punjab (₹0.86 plus a possible additional surcharge saving). In Maharashtra HT-I where CSS is already zero, the structural benefit of group captive over third-party is smaller; the key driver there is banking and scheduling flexibility. Confirm in writing how each DISCOM treats the additional surcharge for captive supply, because PSPCL's circulars do not address it.

See the third-party vs group captive solar guide for a full comparison of equity, governance, and exit provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the lowest open access charges for solar in India?

For FY 2026-27, Uttar Pradesh (HV-2 industrial consumers at 11 kV) and Maharashtra (HT-I Industry at the distribution level) carry the lowest regulated open access charge stacks. UP's CSS for HV-2 is ₹0.38/kWh under the UPERC Tariff Order dated 2 July 2026. Maharashtra's CSS for HT-I Industry is zero under MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024, and no additional surcharge is levied in the 5th Control Period. However, both states have banking restrictions and other procedural requirements that affect project economics; a low charge rate does not automatically equal the best overall deal.

What are the open access charges in Maharashtra in FY 2026-27?

For HT-I Industry consumers at the distribution level, the cross-subsidy surcharge is zero for FY 2026-27 under MERC MYT Order 210 of 2024. The HT wheeling charge is ₹0.70/kWh, and no additional surcharge is levied in the 5th Control Period (FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30). MSETCL intrastate transmission charges are approximately ₹0.40/unit. This makes Maharashtra far more competitive for third-party HT-I open access than older industry summaries suggest. The 1 MW open access threshold and restricted banking window remain key operational constraints.

What is the CSS rate for open access solar in Haryana?

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has approved a CSS of ₹1.45/unit for HT industrial open access consumers in FY 2026-27. Combined with an additional surcharge of ₹1.37/unit (effective from 30 April 2026), wheeling of ₹0.73/unit and additional network cost of ₹0.45/unit, the total regulated charge stack for third-party open access in Haryana is approximately ₹4.00/unit. Captive and group captive consumers are exempt from CSS and the additional surcharge, reducing their charge stack to approximately ₹1.18/unit, which is why nearly every viable Haryana solar deal in 2026 is structured as group captive.

What are the open access charges in Punjab for FY 2026-27?

PSPCL's circulars set CSS at ₹0.86/kWh for Large Supply, wheeling and transmission for in-state solar at 2% of injected energy, and an additional surcharge of ₹1.13/kWh (or ₹0.78/kWh for non-GEOA partial open access), which PSERC has continued provisionally from 1 October 2026. Losses of 2.19% plus 1.5% to 4% apply in kind. See the Punjab guide.

What are the open access charges in Madhya Pradesh for FY 2026-27?

MPERC's order sets wheeling at ₹0.17/kWh (33 kV) or ₹0.69/kWh (11 kV), CSS at ₹1.49/kWh for HV-3.1 industrial consumers and the additional surcharge at ₹1.18/kWh, which does not apply to open access within contract demand. Banking is 8% in kind with a three-month cycle and a 30% cap. See the Madhya Pradesh guide.

What is the banking charge for green open access in Gujarat now?

₹1.00 per unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, down from ₹1.50, under GERC's Sixth Amendment Regulations notified on 19 August 2026. From 1 April 2027 the charge is set annually on a cost basis, with GERC able to hold it between ₹0.50 and ₹1.50 per unit.

What is the open access threshold for solar in India after the GEOA Rules 2022?

The Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022 set a national threshold of 100 kW contracted demand for green energy open access, down from the previous 1 MW floor for conventional open access. Most major states (Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) have adopted this 100 kW threshold, and Punjab and Madhya Pradesh apply it to renewable users. Maharashtra retains 1 MW for conventional open access but allows 100 kW for the GEOA category. Delhi has proposed 100 kW for LT consumers in a draft amendment dated 15 April 2026, which is not yet finalised. See the full GEOA Rules 2022 guide.

How does the ISTS waiver phase-out affect inter-state solar open access?

The ISTS waiver covered charges and losses for RE projects on the inter-state transmission network up to successive deadline dates. Projects commissioned after the last applicable cutoff (broadly June 2026 for the final wave) now bear ISTS charges, approximately ₹0.50 to ₹1.00/unit for power wheeled across state boundaries. This makes purely intrastate procurement more attractive for most C&I buyers, and means that an interstate solar deal (for example a Rajasthan plant supplying a Haryana factory) must explicitly model ISTS costs to determine if savings still clear the hurdle. Buyers should confirm waiver eligibility with the project developer and verify against the applicable MoP order.

Which is better: third-party open access or group captive solar?

Group captive solar eliminates CSS, the single largest regulated charge, and typically the additional surcharge, making it the lower-cost route in almost every state. The trade-off is the 26% equity requirement, ongoing captive compliance (annual verification of equity and consumption ratios), and governance complexity for multi-consumer plants. Third-party open access requires no equity investment but carries the full CSS, so it is economically viable mainly where CSS is low (Maharashtra HT-I at zero, UP HV-2 at ₹0.38). See the third-party vs group captive guide for the economic comparison.

Are open access solar charges the same for all voltage levels?

No. Wheeling charges, and sometimes CSS, vary sharply by connection voltage. In Rajasthan, wheeling ranges from ₹1.93/kWh at LT to ₹0.01/kWh at 132 kV and above. In Maharashtra, wheeling is ₹2.33/kWh at LT, ₹0.70/kWh at HT, and ₹0.04/kWh at EHV. In Madhya Pradesh it is ₹1.19 at LT, ₹0.69 at 11 kV and ₹0.17 at 33 kV. Consumers with higher-voltage connections (33 kV, 66 kV, 132 kV) pay significantly less in wheeling charges and often achieve better open access economics. Always confirm the applicable charge using your actual connection voltage, not a state average.