Ministry of Power nods net metering for rooftop solar up to 500 kW

01 Jul 2021 CW Team

Under the latest Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2021, the arrangements for net-metering, gross-metering, net-billing, or net feed-in would follow the regulations created by the State Commission timely.

The latest amendment considers gross metering or net billing for rooftop solar systems above 500 kW capacity. For the net metering facility, a single bidirectional energy meter is used at the point of supply where the energy carried from the grid and the energy transported from the grid-interactive rooftop solar system of a prosumer is estimated at two different tariffs.

According to the new amendments, net metering will be approved to the prosumer for loads up to 500 kW or up to the authorised load, whichever is lower, and gross metering for loads over 500 kW.

Additionally, the amendment says that in either case, net-metering or gross metering, DISCOM may establish a solar energy meter to estimate the gross solar energy generated from the grid-interactive rooftop solar system for renewable energy purchase obligation (RPO) credit, if any.

The amendment has also permitted gross metering for prosumers who would like to sell all the solar energy produced to DISCOM rather than using net metering. The Commission would determine the generic tariff for gross-metering according to the tariff regulation.

Another significant point added in the amendment is that the state regulatory commissions may select to introduce time-of-the-day tariffs where prosumers are incentivized to establish energy storage for storing the solar energy or supplying it to the grid during peak hours. It could support the grid to handle the demand response.

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Also read: Bids invited for rooftop solar projects with net metering

Also read: GESCOM invites bids for 10 MW rooftop solar net metering in Karnataka

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued an amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) 2020 that permits net metering to the prosumer for loads up to 500 kW or up to the approved load, whichever is lower. Under the latest Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2021, the arrangements for net-metering, gross-metering, net-billing, or net feed-in would follow the regulations created by the State Commission timely. The latest amendment considers gross metering or net billing for rooftop solar systems above 500 kW capacity. For the net metering facility, a single bidirectional energy meter is used at the point of supply where the energy carried from the grid and the energy transported from the grid-interactive rooftop solar system of a prosumer is estimated at two different tariffs. According to the new amendments, net metering will be approved to the prosumer for loads up to 500 kW or up to the authorised load, whichever is lower, and gross metering for loads over 500 kW. Additionally, the amendment says that in either case, net-metering or gross metering, DISCOM may establish a solar energy meter to estimate the gross solar energy generated from the grid-interactive rooftop solar system for renewable energy purchase obligation (RPO) credit, if any. The amendment has also permitted gross metering for prosumers who would like to sell all the solar energy produced to DISCOM rather than using net metering. The Commission would determine the generic tariff for gross-metering according to the tariff regulation. Another significant point added in the amendment is that the state regulatory commissions may select to introduce time-of-the-day tariffs where prosumers are incentivized to establish energy storage for storing the solar energy or supplying it to the grid during peak hours. It could support the grid to handle the demand response. Image Source Also read: Bids invited for rooftop solar projects with net metering Also read: GESCOM invites bids for 10 MW rooftop solar net metering in Karnataka