Search Climate Insights Directory

The CollabSolar project in Bengaluru attempted to reduce transaction costs and attract developers by aggregating the rooftop solar demand of six corporate entities. Key findings indicate that aggregation is most effective within small geographic areas and requires a collective minimum demand of 8-10 million kWh/year to mitigate the risk of individual buyer withdrawal. The project highlighted critical barriers, including corporate charter restrictions for MNCs wishing to invest capital, the need for tripartite agreements with landlords for leased spaces, and the absence of net-metering schemes in Bengaluru at the time, which forced systems to be sized to minimum weekend loads.

The document examines the potential for Indian electricity distribution companies (discoms) to implement green tariffs to attract and retain commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers. It notes that current attempts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been ad hoc and unsuccessful, contrasting this with the success of tailor-made, consultative green tariff models in the United States. The author argues that for green tariffs to succeed in India, they must involve long-term contracts, regulatory certainty, and a design that accounts for the Indian context of cross-subsidization of residential and agricultural consumers.

The Green Power Market Development Group (GPMDG) India, a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), works to increase renewable energy adoption in India's commercial and industrial sectors. By addressing policy and market barriers, the group facilitates procurement, shares best practices, and aggregates demand for technologies like solar PV. As of July 31, 2015, GPMDG supported 250 MW of renewable energy, including 110 MW facilitated by its Bangalore chapter in Karnataka during its first year of operations.