Prosumers in Bengaluru: Lessons for Scaling Rooftop Solar PV

This working paper examines the adoption of rooftop solar PV systems in Bengaluru, India, focusing on the net-metering program implemented by the utility BESCOM to increase energy supply and meet state targets.

• The state of Karnataka has set a target of 400 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV by 2018, but the current rate of new connections must accelerate to reach this goal.
• BESCOM, the electricity utility for Bengaluru, introduced a net-metering program in November 2014 to allow prosumers to transfer surplus solar electricity to the grid, resulting in over 5.6 MW of installations as of March 2016.
• The document identifies six primary barriers hindering the scale-up of rooftop solar PV by prosumers in Bengaluru: poor understanding of costs and performance, confusion over net-metering specifications, uncertainty regarding project developers, limited program reach and appeal, the limited effect of promotional rates, and limited institutional capacity of the administrator.
• BESCOM is promoting rooftop solar PV to diversify its electricity supply and reduce pressure on the grid, particularly to mitigate risks caused by erratic monsoons and droughts.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Prosumers in Bengaluru: Lessons for Scaling Rooftop Solar PV. https://www.wri.org/research/prosumers-bengaluru

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Prosumers in Bengaluru: Lessons for Scaling Rooftop Solar PV. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/prosumers-bengaluru.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Prosumers in Bengaluru: Lessons for Scaling Rooftop Solar PV |url=https://www.wri.org/research/prosumers-bengaluru |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendprosumers, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Prosumers in Bengaluru: Lessons for Scaling Rooftop Solar PV}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/prosumers-bengaluru}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }