SolarPower Europe and NSEFI Release Updated EPC Best Practice Guidelines for India’s Solar Sector

SolarPower Europe, in collaboration with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), has released the ‘Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC): Best Practice Guidelines – India Edition 2.0’, featuring updated recommendations tailored to India’s fast-evolving solar market and unique business environment.

The report aims to enhance transparency and establish standardized practices across stakeholders involved in solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, including EPC contractors, developers, investors, lenders, and technical consultants.

India, now the world’s third-largest solar market with over 100 GW of installed capacity, continues to expand rapidly. The updated guidelines are expected to support safer, more efficient, and higher-quality project development across the country.

Benjamin Clarke, Global Markets Manager at SolarPower Europe, stated that the report strengthens India’s solar roadmap and reinforces the organisation’s long-standing partnership with NSEFI. Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO of NSEFI, described the release as a landmark step toward shaping the next phase of India’s renewable energy journey, rooted in quality, safety and innovation.

Tobias Winter, Director at the Indo-German Energy Forum Support Office, said the guidelines arrive at a crucial time as India accelerates its transition toward a fossil-free future. Daniel Etschmann, Principal Technical Expert of Solar Energy at KfW, highlighted that the guidelines enhance investor confidence through better risk management and reliability standards.

Key Updates in India Edition 2.0:

• Revised Health and Safety Chapter outlining national occupational safety regulations and responsibilities of EPC service providers.
• Guidance on financial mechanisms, including bonds and bank guarantees required from EPC contractors.
• Emphasis on integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) during the EPC phase to ensure secure and efficient operations and strengthen grid stability.

The report builds on the first edition and incorporates European learnings adapted to Indian conditions, aiming to support long-term resilience and growth of the country’s solar industry.