Freyr Energy, a leading provider of industrial solar installation services, deployed a 275 kW rooftop solar system across two Indian Oil Corporation Limited fuel stations in Guwahati and Varanasi.This IOCL rooftop solar initiative covers solar power for petrol pumps in both cities. It generated an estimated 376200 kWh annually, and delivered savings of approx. INR 26.8 lakh per year. With this operation, a diverse climate situation, interrupted power at fuel retail facilities are solved. Let’s unfold more about this fuel station problem and how this is solved.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited
Indian Oil Corporation Limited is India’s largest oil and gas company. It has an extensive network of refineries, pipelines, and fuel retail outlets across the country. As the backbone of India’s fuel and energy ecosystem, IOCL serves millions of customers daily through its petrol pumps and depots.
The Challenge: Energy Security and Operational Reliability
Fuel retail outlets operate in an environment shaped by rising energy costs, global supply chain disruptions, and grid dependency risks. For a company of IOCL’s scale, even a simple power interruption can disrupt the operations across hundreds of touchpoints. Each station depends on continuous electricity to run fuel dispensers, POS systems, CCTV surveillance, signage, lighting, air compressors, and EV charging stations.
This made the case for solar power for petrol pumps strong, not just as a cost-saving measure, but as an operational necessity. Diesel generator backup, while functional, adds recurring fuel and maintenance costs. Thereby increasing the total cost of running these facilities.
Major problem: How could IOCL ensure reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable power for critical fuel station operations across high-demand regions?
Freyr Energy’s Solar Solution
Freyr Energy designed and installed grid-connected rooftop solar systems to meet the operational needs of IOCL fuel stations- a 150 kW system in Guwahati and a 125 kW system in Varanasi. As an established name among solar companies in Guwahati and the wider region, Freyr Energy executed both installations with minimal disruption to ongoing station operations. The system was prepared for long-term energy optimization, ensuring consistent generation throughout the year while integrating it with existing grid infrastructure. This approach to industrial solar installation reflects Freyr Energy’s focus on dependable, low-maintenance solar power for petrol pumps that perform reliably under continuous commercial use.
Project Highlights
| Facility | Installed Capacity | Annual Generation | Estimated Annual Savings | Payback Period |
| Guwahati | 150 kW | 205200 kWh | 13.8 lakh | 4-5 years |
| Varanasi | 125 kW | 171000 kWh | 13 lakh | 5.2 years |
| Total | 275 kW | 376200 kWh | 26.8 lakh/year | Strong long-term ROI |
Why Varanasi and Guwahati Were Ideal Locations for Rooftop Solar?
Varanasi being a major pilgrim city has high demand for fuel. It also serves as the key highway connectivity hub which makes it an important hub for solar. The growing interest in solar in Varanasi, along with its competitive solar panel price points in the city, makes rooftop solar a practical choice for commercial properties.
Guwahati is the gateway to Northeast India has become a major logistics and transport hub with high dependence on uninterrupted fuel infrastructure. As awareness of solar panel price in Guwahati improves, the solar in Guwahati is increasingly viewed as a dependable solution for energy-intensive commercial sites like fuel stations.
Business Outcome
- Reduced dependency on grid electricity during peak demand hours.
- Lower reliance on diesel generators, cutting fuel and maintenance costs.
- Improved operational continuity across fuel dispensers, POS systems, and surveillance.
- Reduced overall electricity expenses, which contribute directly to the savings outlined above.
- Better energy resilience against grid fluctuations and supply disruptions.
- Progress toward IOCL’s sustainability goals and emissions reduction targets.
- Direct support for India’s broader clean-energy transition.
Freyr Energy’s Contribution
Freyr Energy served as a trusted rooftop solar partner in IOCL, supporting multi-state deployments across diverse operating environments. It enabled scalable solar installations for commercial and industrial infrastructure. Freyr Energy also supports enterprises like IOCL, thereby reducing the cost of installing solar at petrol pumps while contributing to India’s renewable energy goals.
To Conclude
From fuel operations to energy resilience, rooftop solar is helping IOCL future-proof its infrastructure while reducing overall costs and emissions. The Varanasi and Guwahati installations stand as a model for how IOCL rooftop solar projects can be replicated across other high-demand regions nationwide.
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