- C&I net metering uses on-site rooftop solar, capped by the sanctioned load and a state cap.
- Open access wheels power from an off-site plant to the load, with extra charges.
- Net metering suits smaller loads with usable roof; open access suits large MW demand.
- Open access carries wheeling, banking, cross-subsidy and other charges — verify the current rates.
- Both routes are set by each SERC and change with amendments — model both before you decide.
For a commercial or industrial consumer, going solar is rarely a single choice. The big decision is the route: put panels on the roof under net metering, or buy solar from an off-site plant under open access. This guide compares C&I net metering and open access so you can recommend the right route for each HT consumer.
The short answer
C&I net metering uses solar on the consumer's own roof, netted or net-billed against their use and capped by the sanctioned load. Open access uses a larger off-site plant whose power is wheeled to the load over the grid, with extra charges. Net metering is simpler and cheaper to run for smaller loads with usable roof. Open access scales to MW demand a roof cannot meet. The right answer depends on the load size, the roof, and the current state charges.
How C&I net metering works
C&I net metering is the same model as residential net metering, scaled up. Solar on the consumer's own roof feeds their load first, and the surplus is netted or net-billed against the grid. The system size is capped by the sanctioned load and a state capacity limit.
Where it fits
Net metering fits a commercial or industrial site with a usable roof and a load the roof can meaningfully offset. It avoids the open-access charge stack, so the economics are simpler. For high-tension industrial loads specifically, see our industrial HT net metering guide. For the metering model split, see net vs gross vs net-billing.
How open access works
Open access lets a large consumer buy power from an off-site solar plant — captive or third-party — and have it wheeled to their premises over the DISCOM and transmission grid. The consumer keeps their grid connection and pays a set of open-access charges for using the network.
Where it fits
Open access fits a large load that a roof cannot cover — a factory with MW-scale demand and limited roof. It can deliver far more solar than net metering, but it brings a charge stack that decides whether it actually saves money.
Decision matrix: net metering vs open access
The table below sets the two routes side by side on the points that decide a C&I project.
Comparison based on the Electricity Rules and common SERC practice. Caps, thresholds and open-access charges vary by state — verify the current figure with your SERC or DISCOM.
Size limits and thresholds
The size limits are where many C&I projects get steered from one route to the other.
The net metering cap
C&I net metering is capped by the consumer's sanctioned load and a state capacity limit. Many states also move larger systems off net metering above a threshold — to net billing or another model. These limits change with each SERC amendment, so verify the current cap and threshold with your DISCOM or the SERC. Our net-to-gross threshold guide covers a common watch-point.
Open access eligibility
Open access has its own eligibility — typically a minimum contracted load — and its size is set by the open-access rules and the supply contract, not the roof. This is why a large HT consumer who hits the net metering cap often looks at open access next.
The cost layers that decide it
The economics turn on the open-access charge stack, which net metering largely avoids.
- Wheeling charges — for using the distribution network to move power.
- Banking charges — for storing surplus on the grid for later use.
- Cross-subsidy surcharge (CSS) — and an additional surcharge in some states.
- Transmission and distribution losses — applied to the wheeled units.
These charges are set by each SERC and change often. They can swing an open-access case from clearly worth it to not worth it. Verify the current rates with the SERC — our banking and wheeling charges guide explains each one. C&I net metering, by contrast, mostly carries only a meter cost or deposit.
Can a consumer use both?
Sometimes. A consumer may run rooftop net metering for on-site self-use and open access for the larger off-site demand. But the rules vary by state, the metering must be kept separate, and not every consumer category is allowed both. Verify whether the combination is permitted for your consumer with the DISCOM and SERC before you design around it.
How to choose per project
The route is a per-consumer decision, not a company default. Walk these questions for each project.
- How big is the load? A roof-sized load points to net metering; MW demand points to open access.
- Is there usable roof? Limited roof pushes you toward open access.
- What are the current open-access charges? Heavy charges can erase the open-access advantage.
- Where is the net metering cap? If the consumer exceeds it, net metering alone will not cover the load.
Model both routes against the current state numbers before you recommend one. For a key C&I market, see MSEDCL in Maharashtra.
How SuryaHub helps you advise C&I consumers
A C&I recommendation is only as good as the numbers behind it. SuryaHub stores the net metering cap and the open-access charges for each state and pulls them into the C&I quotation, so the route you recommend matches the real figures. The net-metering route then runs inside government workflows. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the figures here are policy facts, not guarantees.
Recommend the right C&I route with real numbers
See how SuryaHub applies each state's caps and open-access charges.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between C&I net metering and open access?+
C&I net metering uses solar on the consumer’s own roof, netted or net-billed against on-site use and capped by the sanctioned load. Open access uses an off-site plant whose power is wheeled to the load over the grid, with extra charges. Net metering suits smaller loads with roof; open access suits large MW demand.
Is there a size limit for C&I net metering?+
Yes. C&I net metering is capped by the consumer sanctioned load and by a state capacity limit, and many states move larger systems to net billing or a different model above a threshold. The limits change with each SERC amendment, so verify the current cap and threshold with your DISCOM or the SERC.
What charges apply to open access solar?+
Open access solar usually carries wheeling charges, banking charges, a cross-subsidy surcharge, an additional surcharge in some states, and transmission losses. These charges decide whether open access beats a grid tariff. They are set by each SERC and change often, so verify the current charges with your SERC before you model the savings.
Can a consumer use net metering and open access together?+
A consumer can sometimes use rooftop net metering and open access together — rooftop for on-site self-use and open access for the larger off-site demand — but the rules vary by state and the metering must be kept separate. Verify whether both are allowed for your consumer category with the DISCOM and SERC.
Which is better for a high-tension industrial consumer?+
For a high-tension industrial consumer with large demand and limited roof, open access often wins because it can supply MW-scale power from an off-site plant. For a consumer with usable roof and a smaller load, C&I net metering is simpler and avoids open-access charges. Model both against the current state charges before deciding.
How does SuryaHub help with C&I net metering vs open access?+
SuryaHub stores the net metering cap and the open-access charges for each state and applies them in C&I quotes, so the route you recommend matches the real numbers. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
The routes and charges below come from primary government sources. Net metering caps and open-access charges are set by each SERC, so always confirm the current figures with your SERC or DISCOM before you model a project.
- Ministry of Power — Electricity Rules ↗
Net metering framework and the green open access rules.
- CERC / State Electricity Regulatory Commissions ↗
Open access charges and net metering limits per state.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
Rooftop and C&I solar policy guidelines.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MoP, CERC/SERC & MNRE sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: The route comparison and charges are taken from the government sources above and re-checked every 30 days. Caps, thresholds and open-access charges are state-set and change with each SERC amendment — verify with your SERC. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.