Andhra reduces rooftop solar projects' net metering cap

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has issued the draft ‘Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems Under Net/Gross Metering Regulations, 2023,’ under which the net metering upper cap for rooftop solar projects has been reduced from 1 MW to 500 kW, and the gross metering upper cap has been increased from 1 MW to 5 MW.As per Mercom Research, prosumers with a higher contract demand of up to 5 MW have an alternative for moving toward a gross metering mechanism instead of open access. The maximum capacity at a single location has been capped at 5,000 kW under the gross metering arrangement.The cumulative capacity of all grid-connected rooftop solar systems under net metering and gross metering arrangement connected to a particular distribution transformer should not exceed 80% of its rated capacity. The proposed regulations will apply to all grid-connected rooftop solar systems with or without battery energy storage systems (BESS) installed and commissioned in the areas of the state’s distribution companies.The capacity of grid-connected rooftop solar systems under net metering or gross metering arrangement to be installed at the premises of any individual prosumer should not be less than 1 kW. Any consumer wishing to install grid-connected rooftop solar systems, with or without BESS, under multiple services of an individual consumer or group net metering framework must ensure that the system’s capacity is at least 5 kW.