Karnataka is one of India’s leading solar states, driven by Bangalore’s large technology and commercial sector and Karnataka’s good solar irradiance across most of the state. BESCOM — serving Bangalore and eight surrounding districts — is one of the few Indian DISCOMs with a genuinely functional online rooftop solar portal that processes applications with defined timelines.
KERC Net Metering Framework
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has issued net metering regulations under which all five Karnataka DISCOMs operate.
Key provisions:
- Residential consumers: net metering up to sanctioned load
- Commercial and industrial: net metering up to 1 MW
- Export rate: APPC of the respective DISCOM (BESCOM’s APPC is among the higher rates nationally at approximately Rs. 3.80–4.40/unit)
- Settlement: annual — surplus credits accumulate across the year and are reconciled at annual settlement date
Annual settlement in Karnataka: Like Gujarat and Rajasthan, Karnataka’s annual settlement is advantageous. Surplus generation in summer months (April–September, high irradiance) builds credits that offset consumption in lower-irradiance months.
Five DISCOMs: Territory and Characteristics
BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company)
Territory: Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumkur, Ramanagara, Davangere, Chitradurga districts.
Online portal: BESCOM has a dedicated rooftop solar application portal — one of the best-functioning in India.
Volume: BESCOM handles the largest volume of rooftop solar applications in Karnataka. Bangalore’s tech sector drives strong commercial demand; the residential market is active across all income segments.
Transformer saturation: Premium Bangalore localities (Whitefield, HSR Layout, Koramangala, Indiranagar) have high solar penetration and increasing transformer saturation checks.
GESCOM (Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company)
Territory: Kalyana Karnataka — Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir districts.
Process: Sub-division office applications; online portal availability limited. Manual processing means longer timelines than BESCOM.
Solar potential: High irradiance, lower residential income levels mean PM Surya Ghar and state subsidy schemes drive most residential demand.
HESCOM (Hubli Electricity Supply Company)
Territory: North Karnataka — Dharwad, Hubli, Gadag, Haveri, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura districts.
Process: Mix of online and manual; Hubli-Dharwad sub-divisions have more functional digital processes than rural areas.
Commercial solar: Belagavi’s sugar and agro-processing industries present commercial-industrial rooftop opportunities.
CESC (Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation)
Territory: Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar districts.
Process: Mysuru city has an online application system. District sub-divisions vary.
Note: Mysuru’s heritage tourism infrastructure and educational institutions drive institutional solar demand alongside residential.
MESCOM (Mangalore Electricity Supply Company)
Territory: Mangaluru (coastal), Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada districts.
Process: Mix of online and manual; Mangaluru sub-division is relatively functional.
Note: Coastal Karnataka has slightly lower irradiance than inland Karnataka due to monsoon cloud cover (particularly June–September). Factor this into generation projections for MESCOM territory.
KREDL: State Renewable Energy Agency
KREDL (Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited) is the state nodal agency for renewable energy.
KREDL’s role in solar:
- Empanels vendors for PM Surya Ghar and state solar schemes
- Coordinates state subsidy distribution for Karnataka
- Manages utility-scale solar park development
- Runs awareness and capacity building programmes for installers
- Oversees Karnataka Solar Policy targets
BBMP Solar Mandate for New Buildings
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore’s civic authority, has incorporated solar requirements into building regulations.
Current mandate: New buildings above specified floor area thresholds applying for occupancy certificates in BBMP’s jurisdiction must demonstrate solar PV installation or provision for it. The mandatory minimum system size is tied to the building’s built-up area.
Why it matters for installers: Every large new residential or commercial building in Bangalore requiring an OC is effectively a mandatory solar customer. Builders and developers who need to comply are strong commercial prospects for installers with relevant BESCOM empanelment and ALMM-compliant component supply chains.
HMDA surroundings: The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and other large Karnataka municipal bodies have adopted or are considering similar solar provisions. Check local municipal by-laws for projects outside BBMP jurisdiction.
State Subsidy
Karnataka offers state financial assistance for rooftop solar through KREDL, on top of the central PM Surya Ghar CFA. The state subsidy targets specific consumer categories. Combined central + state subsidies make Karnataka one of the more generous states for residential solar — but the state amount is revised periodically and is not always available across all consumer categories.
Check Current KREDL State Subsidy Before Quoting
Karnataka’s state subsidy for rooftop solar has changed multiple times in recent years. Before quoting total subsidies to customers, verify the current state amount with KREDL or the relevant DISCOM. Quoting an outdated state figure and then correcting it after the customer has committed creates trust issues.
Empanelled Vendor List
Karnataka’s DISCOM-level empanelled vendor lists are managed separately by each DISCOM under KREDL oversight. For PM Surya Ghar:
- Vendors register through pmsuryaghar.gov.in (national portal)
- BESCOM validates empanelment for its territory; other DISCOMs do the same
- The BESCOM empanelled vendor list is visible to consumers on the BESCOM solar portal
For state-scheme projects (non-PM Surya Ghar), KREDL maintains a separate empanelled vendor list.
Design Karnataka Solar Projects Across All 5 DISCOMs
SurgePV generates KERC-compliant single-line diagrams and ALMM-verified component schedules for all Karnataka DISCOMs — from BESCOM’s Bangalore portal submissions to manual applications in GESCOM and HESCOM territory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which DISCOMs operate in Karnataka?
Five: BESCOM (Bangalore), GESCOM (Kalyana Karnataka), HESCOM (North Karnataka), CESC (Mysuru), MESCOM (Coastal Karnataka/Mangalore).
How do I apply with BESCOM?
Use BESCOM’s online rooftop solar portal. Submit the application with load sanction, SLD, equipment BIS certs, and ALMM declarations. Feasibility sanction typically takes 15–30 days.
What is the export rate?
BESCOM’s APPC is approximately Rs. 3.80–4.40 per unit — among the higher rates nationally. Annual settlement applies.
What is the BBMP solar mandate?
New buildings above specified floor area thresholds in BBMP jurisdiction must include solar installation to receive an occupancy certificate.
