Demystifying Group Captive Solar Open Access in India
For large commercial factories, textile mills, cement plants, and data centers consuming millions of electricity units monthly, rooftop solar space is often insufficient to cover total power demand. Group Captive Solar Open Access allows these high-demand HT consumers to procure cheap solar power from off-site solar farms (1MW to 50MW) located anywhere within the state transmission grid.
30-Second Quick Takeaways
Key regulatory rules for Group Captive Open Access
- What is Group Captive Open Access? Under Electricity Rules 2005/2026, commercial factories and corporate consumers buy clean power from off-site solar farms (1MW to 50MW) by taking a minimum 26% equity stake in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
- 100% Exemption from CSS & AS: Group Captive projects are legally exempt from Cross-Subsidy Surcharge (CSS) and Additional Surcharge (AS), saving industrial buyers ₹2.20 to ₹3.10 per unit compared to standard Third-Party Open Access.
- The 51% Consumption Rule: Captive users must collectively consume at least 51% of the total annual electricity generated by the off-site solar plant in proportion to their equity holdings.
- DISCOM Billing Reconciliation: Off-site solar generation is credited against the factory's monthly HT electricity bill on a 15-minute time-block basis, slashing industrial power tariffs from ₹11/kWh down to ₹4.20/kWh.
Group Captive vs Third-Party Open Access Tariff Comparison
| Tariff Component | DISCOM Commercial Grid | Third-Party Open Access | Group Captive Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Energy Charge | ₹8.50 – ₹11.00 / kWh | ₹3.80 / kWh | ₹3.80 / kWh |
| Cross-Subsidy Surcharge (CSS) | N/A | ₹1.80 – ₹2.40 / kWh | ₹0 (EXEMPT) |
| Additional Surcharge (AS) | N/A | ₹0.80 – ₹1.20 / kWh | ₹0 (EXEMPT) |
| Transmission & Wheeling Losses | Included | ~4.5% State Losses | ~4.5% State Losses |
| Effective Delivered Cost | ₹10.50 / kWh | ₹7.20 / kWh | ₹4.20 / kWh (60% Savings!) |
INSTANT CALCULATION
⚡ Calculate Your 2026 Solar Savings & Subsidy
Select your monthly electricity bill to calculate the ideal system capacity, PM Surya Ghar subsidy, and lifetime savings:
Recommended System:
3.0 kW (Rooftop/Hybrid)
PM Surya Ghar Subsidy:
₹78,000 (Central Govt)
Net Out-of-Pocket Cost:
₹1,15,000 – ₹1,35,000
Estimated 25-Yr Savings:
₹9,80,000+
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the legal difference between Third-Party Open Access and Group Captive Solar? +
In Third-Party Open Access, the buyer has zero equity in the solar plant and must pay heavy Cross-Subsidy Surcharges (CSS) and Additional Surcharges. In Group Captive, the buyer holds >=26% equity, making the plant legally 'captive' and completely exempt from CSS.
What is the minimum power demand required for a factory to opt for Group Captive Solar? +
Most state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs) require a minimum connected contract demand of 1 MW (1,000 kVA) at High Tension (11kV/33kV/132kV) voltage levels to participate in Open Access.
What happens if a Group Captive user fails to consume 51% of generated power? +
If the captive users fail the annual 51% consumption check audited by the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), the plant loses captive status for that financial year, and DISCOMs retroactively levy CSS surcharges.
How much net energy bill savings does Group Captive Solar deliver to factories? +
Industrial plants paying ₹9.50–₹12.00/kWh to DISCOMs reduce their effective power cost to ₹3.80–₹4.50/kWh through Group Captive, delivering 40%–60% net annual bill savings.