IOCL Solarises commissioned 150 kW Rooftop Solar System at its Guwahati facility

Guwahati: Energy security has become a growing concern in India due to global conflicts and geopolitical tensions. Recent disruptions in energy chain have impacted nearly 40% of the country's crude oil imports and 50% of LPG imports, resulting in increased fuel prices, higher electricity costs, and greater energy supply risks.

While these factors continue to impact India's energy infrastructure entities such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), India’s largest public-sector oil and refining company are identifying practical alternatives such as solar to improve energy resilience.

Reducing dependence on conventional power sources in a long-term initiative, IOCL has adopted rooftop solar at its Guwahati facility to ensure uninterrupted energy supply while improving operational efficiency. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) commissioned a 150-kW rooftop solar system at its Guwahati facility enabling operational resilience.


The installed system supports a significant portion of the overall operational energy requirements and generates approximately 2,05,200 kWh annually. This has resulted in an estimated annual cost savings of Rs 13,80,000, contributing to an estimated ROI within 4 to 5 years. The installed rooftop solar system supports fuel dispensers, lighting, CCTV, POS systems, air compressor, signage, and EV charging stations, helping reduce dependence on grid electricity and diesel-generators.

At a time when energy security concerns and supply chain disruptions are becoming increasingly prevalent, rooftop solar provides a reliable source of power for critical operations. The transition to rooftop solar has also contributed to lower operational costs, improved energy efficiency, and greater sustainability in day-to-day operations.

Radhika Choudhary, Co-Founder Freyr Energy said, "Rooftop solar is increasingly emerging as a strategic investment for commercial and industrial infrastructure enabling public sector companies to lower electricity costs, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen energy reliability. Further, growing concerns around energy disruptions and supply chain uncertainties are accelerating the need for sustainable energy solutions as consumers seek greater energy resilience.

In regions like the Northeast, where grid reliability remains a persistent challenge, rooftop solar moves beyond being an option to an operational necessity. Petrol stations in the region face high operational stress and fluctuating demand, making reliable power essential for fuel dispensing, billing, lighting, and safety systems. For sectors such as fuel retail, solar plays a pivotal role in reducing dependence on conventional power sources. IOCL’s Guwahati facility requires an uninterrupted electricity supply to ensure seamless operations, and thus this rooftop solar installation has proved to become an operational necessity.”


Assam and the Northeastern states are prone to weather-related disruptions, often causing grid fluctuations and power interruptions in semi-urban and rural areas. As fuel stations rely on uninterrupted electricity for most of their operation, rooftop solar has emerged as valuable energy alternative in the region. Freyr Energy played a pivotal role in solarising IOCL’s Guwahati facility and other facilities across the country. This multi-state, multi-year initiative by the country’s oil giant reflects its commitment towards its sustainability goals.


Further, solar helps improve profitability in Assam compared to other states, as Guwahati is a major operational hub for IOCL in the Northeast. Guwahati serves as the main gateway to Northeast India and is a key logistics, transport, and commercial hub for the region. Fuel demand in this region is high due to the movement of passenger vehicles, long-distance freight trucks, interstate transport, military activity, and logistics movement into states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Any disruption in fuel availability in Guwahati can impact supply chains across the Northeast, making reliable fuel station operations critical.

Furthermore, commercial electricity tariffs for petrol pumps are relatively high across India. Solar helps by reducing daytime electricity bills, eliminating generator fuel costs, improving uptime during outages, and supporting EV chargers.


As more petrol stations in Assam and other states adopt rooftop solar, the shift can play an important role in supporting India’s clean energy transition. With nearly 41,000 retails fuel outlets across the country a large-scale solar adoption across fuel station has the potential to significantly expand the renewable energy capacity, reduce the dependence on the grid and contribute to India’s target of achieving 500GW solar energy by 2030.