No net metering for rooftop solar systems over 10 kW: MoP
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

No net metering for rooftop solar systems over 10 kW: MoP

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has laid down new rules that state the rights of power consumers to minimum standards of quality. One of the essential provisions in the regulations mandates net metering for loads only up to 10 kW, and “gross metering” for loads greater than 10 kW.

The rules in the Electricity Rules (Rights of Consumers), 2020 include the following:

  • Rights of consumers and obligations of distribution licensees
  • Release of new connections and modifications in existing ones
  • Metering arrangements
  • Disconnection and reconnection
  • Billing and payment
  • Reliability of supply

The arrangement for the net metering threshold was conceived under a section tending to the rights of the consumers and prosumers. The section stated the prosumers would appreciate the same rights and privileges as the general consumer. The prosumers will also reserve the right to set up renewable energy generation units, which includes the rooftop solar system installed by them or through a service provider.

The Ministry of Power had proposed the idea of net metering for the rooftop solar projects with a capacity 5 kW and proposed gross metering for the project that have a capacity above 5 kW. The ministry had welcomed remarks and recommendations from all the stakeholders with respect to the guidelines proposed.

Under the gross metering regiment, the consumer is compensated at fixed feed-in-tariff for the total amount of solar energy units that was generated and subsequently fed to the grid. Customers at that point pay the distribution companies retail tariff for the solar power that they had consumed. In this case, the retail tariff is higher than the feed-in tariff. Then again, in the net metering, the exported solar power is adjusted against the energy consumed in the electricity bill.

Net metering has been the main obstacle for the growth of rooftop solar panels. Despite the fact that the net metering policy exists in most states, the implementation has been bumpy. Generally, the discoms are ardently against the net metering across the states. Numerous rooftop installers believe that the net metering is a significant and exceptional selling point and draws people’s attention towards the rooftop solar installations.

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has laid down new rules that state the rights of power consumers to minimum standards of quality. One of the essential provisions in the regulations mandates net metering for loads only up to 10 kW, and “gross metering” for loads greater than 10 kW. The rules in the Electricity Rules (Rights of Consumers), 2020 include the following:Rights of consumers and obligations of distribution licenseesRelease of new connections and modifications in existing onesMetering arrangementsDisconnection and reconnectionBilling and paymentReliability of supply The arrangement for the net metering threshold was conceived under a section tending to the rights of the consumers and prosumers. The section stated the prosumers would appreciate the same rights and privileges as the general consumer. The prosumers will also reserve the right to set up renewable energy generation units, which includes the rooftop solar system installed by them or through a service provider. The Ministry of Power had proposed the idea of net metering for the rooftop solar projects with a capacity 5 kW and proposed gross metering for the project that have a capacity above 5 kW. The ministry had welcomed remarks and recommendations from all the stakeholders with respect to the guidelines proposed. Under the gross metering regiment, the consumer is compensated at fixed feed-in-tariff for the total amount of solar energy units that was generated and subsequently fed to the grid. Customers at that point pay the distribution companies retail tariff for the solar power that they had consumed. In this case, the retail tariff is higher than the feed-in tariff. Then again, in the net metering, the exported solar power is adjusted against the energy consumed in the electricity bill. Net metering has been the main obstacle for the growth of rooftop solar panels. Despite the fact that the net metering policy exists in most states, the implementation has been bumpy. Generally, the discoms are ardently against the net metering across the states. Numerous rooftop installers believe that the net metering is a significant and exceptional selling point and draws people’s attention towards the rooftop solar installations.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Schindler named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026

Schindler has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026, a global ranking recognising companies for their workplace environments.Compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the ranking is based on independent employee feedback, including whether employees would recommend their organisation to friends and family.The company said the recognition reflected its focus on creating a workplace where employees can develop their expertise and build careers. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India needs an export-execution mindset: Vishesh Jain

Interview with Vishesh Jain, Founder & CEO, EximpleWhat gaps in India’s global trade ecosystem led you to build Eximple, and what problem did you see businesses struggling with most?Eximple came out of a problem that all three founders had seen from different choke points in the trade ecosystem. India has millions of MSMEs and manufacturers, and many of them can make products that are genuinely competitive on quality. Yet only a small fraction is able to build meaningful international businesses. In our experience, the gap is usually not manufacturing capability; it is the ability to exe..

Next Story
Building Material

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code