The solar industry in India is going through a major shift. New policy updates around DCR mandate, Time of Day (ToD) billing, and Grid Support Charges (GSC) are going to directly impact how solar projects are planned and how profitable they remain.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
DCR Mandate – What’s Changing?
The government is tightening rules around module usage.
- Non-DCR (NDCR) modules can only be used for projects commissioned before 31st May 2026
- From 1st June 2026, NDCR modules will not be allowed in:
- Grid-Tie systems
- Open Access projects
- Commercial & Industrial (C&I) setups
After this deadline, NDCR modules will be limited only to:
- Off-Grid systems
- Behind-the-Meter (BTM) setups
Also, one important point—project commissioning matters, not application date.
New ToD (Time of Day) Billing
ToD billing has changed how solar energy is consumed and adjusted.
- Day (9 AM – 5 PM): You can only use solar units within this time
- Evening (5 PM – 12 AM): Flexible usage
- Night (12 AM – 9 AM): Limited adjustment allowed
For residential users, using solar energy at night may cost around ₹2 per unit.
This means:
- Solar savings reduce if your consumption is mostly at night
- EMI + electricity bill + charges can create financial pressure
Grid Support Charges (GSC)
From 1st April 2026, GSC replaces traditional banking.
- ₹1.96/unit for LT consumers
- ₹1.48/unit for HT consumers
What’s the real impact?
- You pay charges on every unit generated
- You can’t freely use excess daytime energy at night
- DISCOM charges you even for exporting surplus power
This directly affects project ROI, especially for C&I consumers above 10 kW.
What Should You Do Now?
With these changes, traditional solar setups may not be as beneficial as before. Smart planning is now essential.
Some practical approaches include:
- Shifting load to daytime
- Using battery + inverter systems
- Going for Behind-the-Meter (BTM) setups
- Hybrid or storage-based systems
Each option has its own cost, benefit, and impact on GSC.
Final Thoughts
The solar industry is not slowing down—but the rules are definitely changing.
Earlier, installing solar was enough.
Now, strategy matters more than installation.
If you understand these policies early, you can:
- Design better systems
- Improve ROI for clients
- Stay ahead in the solar business
Because going forward,
only those who understand policy + technology together will grow in solar.