At TOPTIER ENERGY SERVICES PVT LTD, we specialize in solar land procurement and consulting services, ensuring seamless transactions for developers and investors in India's renewable energy sector. With deep expertise in land identification, due diligence, regulatory approvals, and legal compliance, we provide end-to-end support for acquiring and transferring land for solar projects.

Our team helps navigate the complexities of state regulations, land title clearances, and feasibility assessments, ensuring that every transaction is legally secure, investment-ready, and optimized for long-term project success.

Beyond procurement, we offer strategic advisory services, guiding developers on policy compliance, project viability, and infrastructure planning to maximize the efficiency and profitability of their solar investments.

Maharashtra, with its diverse geography and increasing demand for clean energy, offers significant potential for solar power development. However, identifying suitable land for solar projects requires a multi-pronged approach that balances solar irradiance, land feasibility, grid connectivity, regulatory compliance, and legal clarity.

This guide provides district-wise insights on solar suitability, substation infrastructure, weather patterns, and a legal due diligence checklist crucial for developers planning utility-scale solar projects in the state.

• Optimal months for solar generation: October to May.
   
• Monsoon months (June–September): Reduced output due to cloud cover.
   
• DNI/GHI Levels: Most districts receive Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) between 5.3 to 5.8 kWh/m²/day, which is considered highly suitable for utility-scale projects.
   

• 132 kV & 220 kV substations are widely spread across major districts, with 400 kV nodes near Chandrapur and Akola.
   
• Developers should:
   
  • Evaluate substation load capacity and injection feasibility.
     
  • Check availability of bay space and right-of-way (ROW) for transmission lines.
     
  • Coordinate with MSETCL and MSEDCL for evacuation approvals.
     

Before finalizing land for a solar project, developers should carry out a comprehensive legal verification process to mitigate risks:

1. Title Verification:
    
   • Obtain 7/12 extract, ferfar records, and mutation entries for past 30 years.
      
   • Engage local advocate to ensure clear, marketable title.
      

1. Land Classification:
    
   • Confirm whether land is non-agricultural (NA) or requires NA conversion.
      
   • Agricultural land may need collector’s approval for industrial use.
      

1. Encumbrance Check:
    
   • Search with Sub-Registrar Office for mortgages, litigations, and third-party claims.
      

1. Ownership Pattern:
    
   • Ensure no joint ownership without clear partition.
      
   • Avoid land under legal dispute or protected tribal zones.
      

1. Land Ceiling Compliance:
    
   • Verify landholding limits under Maharashtra Land Ceiling Act.
      
   • Check eligibility for private companies to hold such land.
      

1. Forest & CRZ Clearance:
    
   • Avoid land near forests or within eco-sensitive zones (ESZs).
      
   • Distance from coastal regulation zones (CRZ) must be confirmed.
      

1. ROW & Access Path:
    
   • Ensure land has a clear access road and no obstructions to transmission routing.
      

1. Government Land / Lease Models:
    
   • Inquire with MIDC or state renewable energy agencies for land on long-term lease.
      
   • Study Solar Park Policy options for plug-and-play infrastructure.
      

• Maharashtra Solar Policy 2021 encourages:
   
  • Decentralized solar generation.
     
  • Captive and group captive projects.
     
  • Solar parks in high-potential zones.
     
• Open Access available for >1 MW projects but subject to wheeling and banking charges.
   
• Land registration, NA conversion, and environmental clearance follow a defined timeline if approached via a Single Window System (MAITRI portal).
   

• Use Global Solar Atlas or Solargis to overlay solar potential with grid infrastructure.
   
• Partner with consultants like TOPTIER for land acquisition, RoW, and title clearance.
   
• Apply for grid connectivity early due to potential congestion at substations.
   
• Focus on Solapur, Osmanabad, Jalgaon, and Beed for initial site screening.