Rooftop solar: Govt may allow installations up to 500 kW

12 Apr 2021 CW Team

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has proposed to allow rooftop solar installations up to 500 kW capacity to be billed under net metering.

If the proposal is approved, rooftop solar consumers will receive higher tariffs from power distribution companies (discoms) for the surplus power sold to the discoms.

The MoP released a draft amendment to the Rights of Consumer rules, which it had laid down in December 2020, where the relaxation of the rooftop solar installation capacity has been proposed.

The earlier version of the consumer rights rules, which allowed net metering for only up to 10 kW rooftop capacities, impedes the pace of capacity addition of rooftop solar in the country disincentivising commercial and industrial users from installing such power generation capacities in their premises.

Consumers can earn around Rs 7 per unit by selling the surplus power generated from their rooftop solar plants through net metering. But under the December 2020 mandate, they were to be billed through gross metering and compensated at around Rs 3.5–Rs 4 per unit.

The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) had requested the MoP to amend the provision on gross metering for larger rooftop consumers, pointing out that investment to the tune of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 crore is either under contract or under commissioning phase for such rooftop capacities and the new mandate will create uncertainty and impact the ongoing projects. Out of the total solar capacity of 36.9 GW, only 3.4 GW currently comes from rooftop solar.

Image Source

Also read: World Bank to offer $648 mn to India for rooftop solar

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..