India Plans Star Ratings for Solar Batteries, Storage Systems

The star rating will measure energy efficiency – the amount of energy delivered by a fully charged battery compared to the energy supplied to charge it. The BEE is still determining the methodology. One issue discussed was where to place the label, since batteries are often integrated into appliances and consumers may not see it. Some experts argue the label must be visible to drive consumer awareness. Shyamasis Das, research fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, said dealers should be mandated to share the star rating, and that labels could be placed on the vehicle itself for electric two-wheelers.

What would confirm the setup? If the BEE finalises the methodology by September and major battery makers like Amara Raja and Exide align production to target higher star ratings, the system gains credibility. What would weaken it? If the system remains voluntary and adoption is slow, or if the methodology for assessing efficiency proves contentious – for example, over label placement on integrated systems – the impact may be muted.

For traders and investors, the star-rating system could shift demand toward higher-efficiency batteries, benefiting manufacturers that can achieve top ratings. The separate rating for lead-acid vs lithium-ion segments the market, potentially affecting pricing and adoption rates. LFP batteries, which dominate global deployments, are cheaper and better suited to frequent cycling than EV chemistries, the IEA noted.

India's battery storage plans are part of a broader shift in energy commodities. See our commodities analysis for more on how these trends affect supply chains and pricing.

Queries emailed to the BEE, the power ministry, Amara Raja, Exide, NTPC, and Engineers India remained unanswered. Mint reported on 17 June that the government is planning a similar voluntary star-rating system for electric two-wheelers, now expanded to include battery energy storage.