Madhya Pradesh Invites Bids to Procure 500 MW Energy Storage from PSPs

Cabinet Approves ₹15 Billion Incentives for Critical Mineral Recycling

Cleantech Startup QuantE Energy Raises $500,000 from TDV, Angel Investors

TALON PV to Build 4 GW TOPCon Facility in US with Fraunhofer ISE Support

ACME Solar Receives Letter of Award for 50 MW FDRE Project from Tata Power

IEX Sees 19% YoY Rise in Electricity Volume in August, Trades 11.8 BU

Rajasthan Issues Consultancy Tender for 31.6 GW Solar Parks

Project Development to Become Cheaper as Government Cuts GST on Solar Cells

Daily News Wrap-Up: Coal India Floats EPC Tender for 3 GW Solar Projects

Medical College in Belgaum Saves Big on Power Costs with 1 MW Solar Project

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/amazon_polly_83816.mp3?version=1756788645">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>Kerala witnessed an unprecedented drop in monthly rooftop solar capacity additions, as low as 12 MW in July this year, compared to an average monthly installation of 35 MW, due to an unfavorable regulatory proposal by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.erckerala.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KSERC</a>) that impacted the segment.
According to KSERC’s draft order, net metering for rooftop solar systems is <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/kerala-releases-draft-renewable-energy-and-related-matters-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limited</a> to projects with a capacity of up to 3 kW. For projects between 3 kW and 5 kW,  there is a mandate to include an energy storage system of up to 30% of the project size.
The existing rules provide for net metering up to 1 MW.
The draft order also proposes prosumers paying grid-support charges, changes in energy banking policies, and considering 75% of the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) discovered rates for the feed-in tariff.
Due to the proposed changes, rooftop installers have reported a drop in monthly capacity additions.
Kerala is one of the leading states for rooftop solar adoption under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with over 130,000 installations completed as of August 2025.
Mercom had <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/from-leader-to-lagging-keralas-net-metering-cap-proposal-threatens-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> about how the draft KSERC order is likely to impact the booming rooftop solar segment in the state.
Rooftop installers fear that the numbers will continue to fall without an interim order stabilizing the rooftop solar policies in the state.
Tinsu Mathew, Managing Director at <a href="https://elsol.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Sol Power Solutions</a>, said that the average monthly installation capacity fell to 12 MW in July, and further to just 5 MW by mid-August.
“Compared to the typical dip in the second and third quarters, which is usually caused by monsoon rains, this one-third reduction is severe. Many engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies with small portfolios, with less than five to 10 installations per month, are now seeking refund of the ₹250,000 (~$2,868) paid as security deposit for empanelment as PM Surya Ghar vendors.”
Mathew said that while big companies can survive a 10% to 20% shortfall, the 66% drop in sales could mean a complete shutdown for some of them. “Some companies may be forced to drastically reduce their workforce, resulting in team strength cuts and monthly losses.”
As a consequence of the loss of confidence in solar, Terance Alex, Founder and CEO at <a href="https://wattsun.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WattSun Energy</a>, said that most people are requesting that they hold the projects until the outcome of the draft order is clear.
According to rooftop installers, the public perception that the regulation will retroactively impact prosumers has created unease among them.
Alex noted that Kerala has around 500 vendors who are actively working on bigger installations for the commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) segment.
Installers believe that without the benefit of net metering, demand from the C&amp;I segment is likely to decline in Kerala.
Reduced ROI
Installers say that the new regulations propose a shift from yearly banking policy to monthly banking. Existing consumers will not be able to carry forward excess power to the next month. “In case of excess power, it can be sold at an incompetent price, affecting the return on investment (ROI) of the prosumer,” Mathew said.
He noted that the new draft also proposes a feed-in tariff based on the tariffs determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India, rather than the average power purchase cost, which had previously served as the reference for excess unit sales.
Mohamed Shaffeeq, General Secretary at <a href="https://www.kreepa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs &amp; Promoters Association</a>, said that according to current regulations, prosumers will end up getting a feed-in-tariff not higher than the retail tariff.
“Once the new regulation kicks in, prosumers will get around ₹2 (~$0.02)/kWh to 2.5 (~$0.028)/kWh for power exported, while they pay ₹6 (~$0.068)/kWh to ₹8 (~$0.091)/kWh for imported power. Additionally, there will be a levy of ₹1 (~$0.011)/kWh for generation. The final benefit for the prosumer will range from ₹1 (~$0.011)/kWh to ₹4 (~$0.045)/kWh,” added Shaffeeq.
However, other installers say that the feed-in tariff could be even as low as ₹2 (~$0.02)/kWh.
Another aspect that has hindered solar prosumers in Kerala is that power wheeling has been limited within the specific power consumer category.
“Under the new regulations, if you are a residential consumer, you cannot wheel to a consumer in the commercial category. In Kerala, many houses have installed rooftop solar, and they wheel power to small shops as they lack roof space for a solar installation,” Shaffeeq said.
The draft also limits the use of daytime banked power during peak times (6 PM to 11:30 PM) to 67% and during off-peak times (11:30 PM to 6 AM) to 85%.
Alex noted that most people in Kerala opted for solar because the retail tariff is expensive, and secondly, because it allows daytime banked power to be used during the peak hours.
DISCOM Rationale
Shaffeeq said that the move comes in the background of Kerala’s distribution companies (DISCOMs) having stranded power due to solar generation from rooftops.
Rooftop installers disagree that curtailing solar energy is due to overloading of the grid infrastructure.
“When only 229,000 consumers have installed solar out of 14.6 million, how can this small percentage of 1.75 impact the grid?” Shafeeq said.
He noted that when DISCOMs purchase power from other states, they require substantial grid infrastructure, pay transmission costs, and additional charges for converting from high tension to low tension (LT). However, when power is transmitted from one LT connection to another, they do not incur such expenses.
Push for Energy Storage
Rooftop solar installers believe that there are not enough trustworthy battery energy storage companies in the market for DISCOMs to push for energy storage.
“Firstly, we do not have proven battery brands. We have been developing hybrid projects for the last four to five years, but we have been seeing issues with lithium-ion batteries. So, Kerala cannot be the testing laboratory for battery energy storage systems (BESS) deployment,” added Shaffeeq.
Rooftop installers also question the viability of adding energy storage to rooftop solar.
Alex noted that if you want to install a rooftop solar system up to 5 kW, you need to add 30% energy storage. “This will add another 30% to 40% to the installation cost, which will stretch the return on investment to more than 10 years. By that time, you might even have to replace the batteries.”
He said that the average cost to set up a grid-connected 5 kW rooftop solar system is ₹330,000 (~$3,785).
“If you add the batteries, it is going to be another ₹150,000 (~$1,721), which will take the cost up to ₹480,000 (~$5,506), pushing the ROI to more than 10 years,” added Alex.
Rooftop installers suggested that DISCOMs should integrate BESS into the transmission line before asking the prosumers to install it.
Need for an Interim Order
Mathew said the industry expects a favorable policy revision; otherwise, the slowdown will continue. “The existing consumers should not be affected by the policy, and the regulatory commission should issue an interim order in case of further delay in policy implementation, since EPCs are already in a bad situation.”
Shaffeeq stated that there must be a phased implementation of this regulation.
“Currently, Kerala has a net metering facility for rooftop solar systems of up to 1,000 kW. It can possibly be halved to 500 kW for a period of two years. Further, it can be reduced to 200 kW and then to 100 KW. Nearly 21 states are providing net metering facilities, and Maharashtra is even allowing up to 5 MW,” said Shafeeq.
A group of solar prosumers, domestic on-grid solar power prosumers, had filed a petition with the Kerala High Court, demanding that KSERC hold a physical hearing to consider stakeholder comments on the draft KSERC order. The recent Kerala High Court order in favour of the petitioners has sparked hope among solar prosumers that they will receive a fair amendment to the KSERC order.

Rooftop Solar Installations Crash in Kerala Due to Policy Restrictions

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/amazon_polly_80705.mp3?version=1750424737">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.erckerala.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KSERC</a>) has released the draft ‘Renewable Energy and Related Matters Regulations, 2025’.
Stakeholders can submit their suggestions and objections to KSERC within one month.
These regulations apply to grid-interactive renewable energy systems, consumers and prosumers, captive consumers and generating projects, generating companies and distribution licensees, as well as other obligated entities.
All consumers and prosumers billed under the agriculture, domestic, and industrial tariffs are eligible to opt for net metering. However, they must have a minimum capacity of 1 kW and a maximum of 3 kW.
Consumers can increase the project size to 5 kW if they install hybrid inverters that can store 30% of the project&#8217;s energy generation potential.
The maximum capacity limit does not apply to agricultural consumers.
All consumers and prosumers are eligible to opt for net billing, and gross metering, behind-the-meter, virtual net metering, and group net metering systems.
For net billing and gross metering, the minimum capacity of the renewable energy generating system (REGS) must be 1 kW.
In net billing, the maximum REGS capacity a prosumer can install must not exceed the connected load in kW for connected load-based billing consumers, the contract demand in kVA for demand-based consumers, or 500 kW, whichever is lower.
For a behind-the-meter system, the maximum permissible capacity of the REGS installed behind the consumer’s meter must be limited to the connected load or contract demand. The decentralized renewable energy (DRE) project’s minimum capacity under the virtual net metering system must be at least 10 kW.
Eligible consumers will be responsible for the safe operation, maintenance, and rectification of defects in the REGS and storage, if applicable, up to the interconnection point.
The distribution licensee can disconnect any REGS and storage from its network at any time due to an accident or damage threat.
Every renewable energy-generating system must be equipped with an automatic synchronization device to ensure seamless operation.
Metering Infrastructure 
All meters installed at the REGS must comply with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) regulations and have a communication port with an RS-485 (or higher) standard.
The meter at the interconnection points for net metering, net billing, group net metering, and the generation meter in respect of gross metering and virtual net metering will be:
<ul>
<li>Availability-based tariff (ABT)-compatible special energy meters (SEMs) for systems with a minimum capacity of 1 MW</li>
<li>Smart meters for systems with a capacity ranging between at least 100 kW and below 1 MW</li>
<li>Smart meters for systems with a capacity of less than 100 kW installed on or after April 4, 2027</li>
</ul>
Consumers with ABT-compliant and smart meters need not install a separate net meter. Additionally, existing prosumers with distributed renewable energy systems of at least 1 MW capacity must install ABT-compatible SEMs within six months of the notification of these Regulations.
The distribution licensee will be responsible for testing, installing, and maintaining the metering equipment, as well as ensuring its adherence to applicable standards and specifications.
Eligible consumers will procure a renewable energy generation meter, tested and maintained by the distribution licensee at their own cost.  This generation meter must conform to the applicable CEA Regulations.
The cumulative capacity of the distributed energy systems connected to the HT feeder of the distribution system will not exceed its rated capacity.
The cumulative capacity allowed to be interconnected with the distribution transformer will not exceed 90% of its capacity, and the DRE system on each phase of the transformer will not exceed 30% of the capacity of the transformer.
The maximum capacity of a single-phase inverter that can be connected to the system is 3 kW. Eligible consumers must submit the receipt of technical feasibility within 45 days.
Connectivity for IPPs and Captive Projects
The distribution licensee or the state transmission utility (STU) will, upon demand, provide connectivity for independent power producers (IPPs) and captive consumers who intend to install grid-interactive renewable energy generation systems.
The IPP and captive consumers must bear the cost of upgrading the transmission/distribution system to connect their REGS.
Any person generating electricity from renewable sources has the right to open access to the distribution or transmission system of the licensee or STU for transmitting and/or wheeling renewable energy.
Charges such as application fees, state load dispatch center/national load dispatch center charges, transmission/distribution losses, transmission/wheeling charges, reactive energy charges, deviation compensation charges, grid support charges, and surcharges will apply to anyone availing open access.
Virtual power plants (VPPs) must be registered with the distribution licensee, ensuring that real-time data exchange and monitoring systems are in place to track VPP operations and maintain grid stability and reliability.
All electric vehicle (EV) owners, charging station operators, and distribution licensees can participate in vehicle-to-grid integration within the state.
Renewable Purchase Obligation and Energy Storage Obligation (ESO)
The state Commission is mandated to promote cogeneration and generation of electricity from renewable sources. It must specify a minimum percentage of the energy generated from such sources to be procured.
Every obligated entity in the state will procure electricity generated from eligible renewable energy sources and install or procure an electricity/energy storage system (ESS) capable of delivering energy as a percentage of the electrical energy’s quantity.
The extent of energy stored in the ESS from renewable sources, as part of the ESO, will be considered a part of the total renewable purchase obligation’s fulfillment.
Within three months of receiving notification of these regulations, the Commission may designate an entity, such as a government agency, startup, NGO, or cooperative, as the state agency to monitor and enforce the functions under the regulations.
The state agency will subsequently create a web portal to share information about development within the state. Every obligated entity must enter its fossil fuel-based electricity generation and details of open access transactions within 30 days on the portal.
Tariff Determination
Tariff-based competitive bidding will be the preferred mode for power procurement by distribution licensees for all renewable sources. The tariff period for renewable energy projects will be the same as that of their useful life.
If necessary, the Commission may determine the generic tariff for each financial year(s) or for the control period for the electricity generated from renewable sources.
Until the KSERC specifies separate norms, the norms specified by CERC will be used to determine the tariff for the electricity generated from various renewable sources.
The determined generic tariff will be the upper ceiling limit. It will not prevent the generator and distribution licensee from agreeing to a lower tariff than that determined by the Commission.
The Commission can, upon receipt of a petition regarding tariff determination under the Electricity Act 2003, establish a project-specific tariff through an order on a case-by-case basis.
The tariff for renewable energy technologies will comprise a single-part tariff that includes a return on equity. The maximum allowable equity for this return is capped at 30% of the capital cost. It also includes loan capital, depreciation, interest on working capital, and operation and maintenance expenses.
The debt-equity ratio will normally be 70:30 of the capital cost for all renewable energy projects. A normative loan tenure of 15 years will be considered for determining tariffs.
The proceeds from the carbon credit generated by the approved clean development mechanism project will be shared between the generating company and the relevant beneficiaries.
Technology-Specific Parameters 
For wind energy, the Commission will determine only the project-specific capital cost, considering prevailing market trends. The annual mean wind power density specified above must be measured at a hub height of 100 meters.
For small hydro projects, the normative capacity utilization factor must be considered as 30%, excluding pump mode operation.
For solar photovoltaic, thermal, and floating projects, the Commission will determine project-specific capital costs, considering prevailing market trends.
For renewable hybrid energy projects, decisions must be made on a project-specific basis, considering prevailing market trends. Grid-scale standalone battery energy storage systems must have a minimum round-trip efficiency of 85%.
The Commission can amend, suspend, modify, or repeal any provisions of these Regulations.
Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you do not miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.

Kerala Releases Draft Renewable Energy and Related Matters Regulations

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/amazon_polly_57483.mp3?version=1692247338">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://merc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MERC</a>) has proposed amendments to the net and gross metering rules under the state’s Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems Regulations, 2019.
One notable proposed amendment is that under the net metering arrangement, the renewable energy generation system&#8217;s capacity would be capped at either 1 MW or the consumer&#8217;s contract demand, whichever is lower.
Such a generating system may be owned or operated by a consumer or a distribution company (DISCOM) or leased by a third party to the consumer.
The stakeholders have time until August 25, 2023, to submit their feedback.
Metering Arrangements
According to the proposed amendments an eligible consumer is an electricity consumer within the DISCOM&#8217;s service area who employs a renewable energy generation system. The system can be situated on its rooftop or another support structure on its premises. This definition encompasses consumers who collectively utilize a shared load, such as those within a housing society.
The amendments also propose the net metering arrangement or net billing arrangement should include a single-phase or a three-phase net meter located at the interconnection point, as ascertained by the DISCOM.
As per the existing clause, the net metering arrangement should include a single-phase or a three-phase net meter, as may be required, located at the point of interconnection as ascertained by the DISCOM. There is no mention of a net billing arrangement in the draft copy.
For renewable energy generation systems established within the gross metering framework, the DISCOM must install an additional meter of the appropriate class to verify the readings of the renewable energy generation meter.
In line with a new provision, if the credit amount keeps increasing over three consecutive financial years, half of the accumulated amount will be disbursed to the consumer in cash after the third fiscal year. The remaining 50% will be reflected as a credit on the consumer&#8217;s electricity bill.
The existing clause states that the DISCOM should compute the amount payable to the eligible consumer for the excess renewable energy it purchased and provide credit equivalent to the amount payable in the immediately succeeding billing cycle.
Net Billing- Energy Accounting and Settlement
The amendments propose that the accounting of electricity exported and imported by the eligible consumer should become effective from the date of connectivity of the renewable energy generating system with the distribution network.
Also, the DISCOM should undertake a meter reading of both the renewable energy generation meter and the net meter, for all eligible consumers, according to the regular metering cycle.
The energy generated by the system should be first used for self-consumption, and surplus energy injected into the grid or energy drawn from the grid should be billed.
The DISCOM should accept the power as per the useful life of the renewable energy generating system unless the eligible consumer ceases to be a consumer of the DISCOM or the renewable energy generating system is abandoned earlier.
Gross Metering-Energy Accounting and Settlement
According to the amendment, gross metering involves setting up a renewable energy generation system to sell all the electricity generated to the DISCOM through a power purchase agreement (PPA).
If the renewable energy generation system is linked to the consumer&#8217;s side of the meter, they will be required to replace the existing meter with a net meter.
As per the current provision, net billing is defined as the setup in which a renewable energy generating system is installed either to cater to a particular consumer, connected on either the DISCOM side or the consumer side of the consumer meter. Alternatively, the system can entail selling all the generated power to a DISCOM under a PPA. Here, in the place of gross metering, net billing is used.
Other Changes
A proposed clause specifies that the electricity generated by the system must primarily be utilized for personal consumption. Any excess energy fed into or drawn from the grid will be subject to billing per the regulations governing grid-interactive renewables.
As per the existing clause, the entire units generated by the renewable system in the billing period should be purchased by the DISCOM for the entire duration of the agreement.
Another proposed provision indicates that if the current metering setup does not align with the Grid Interactive Renewable Regulations, it must be substituted with a bi-directional meter. Additionally, a distinct meter for measuring renewable energy generation must be supplied. This bi-directional meter needs to be set up at the connection point to the DISCOM&#8217;s network to document the import and export of energy accurately.
The existing clause states that the existing metering system should be continued, and a separate renewable energy generation meter may be provided to measure renewable energy generation.
Last December, MERC had <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-regulator-rejects-petition-seeking-changes-to-open-access-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highlighted</a> certain crucial amendments required to rooftop solar and green energy open access regulations. The changes included leasing rooftops or premises to install a solar system and use the power through open access.
Subscribe to Mercom&#8217;s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates </a>to ensure you don&#8217;t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.

Maharashtra Proposes Net Metering Cap of 1 MW for Rooftop Solar Projects

The Ministry of Power (<a href="https://powermin.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MoP</a>) has finally issued the much-awaited amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) 2020 Rules concerning net metering for rooftop solar installations. The amendment permits net metering to the prosumer for loads up to 500 kW or up to the sanctioned 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 made by the State Commission from time to time.
The Amendment
The latest amendment considers net billing or gross metering for rooftop solar systems over 500 kW capacity. For the net metering facility, a single bidirectional energy meter is used at the point of supply where the energy imported from the grid and the energy exported from the grid-interactive rooftop solar system of a prosumer is computed at two different tariffs.
As per the new amendments, net metering will be allowed to the prosumer for loads up to 500 kW or up to the sanctioned load, whichever is lower, and gross metering for loads over 500 kW.
The amendment further adds that in either case of net-metering or gross metering, DISCOM may install a solar energy meter to measure 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 generated to DISCOM instead of using net metering. The Commission would decide the generic tariff for gross-metering as per tariff regulation.
Another important point added in the order is that the state regulatory commissions may choose to introduce time-of-the-day tariffs where prosumers are incentivized to install energy storage for storing the solar energy or feeding it to the grid during peak hours. This could help the grid to manage the demand response.
“This order approving net metering for solar systems up to 500 kW removes the uncertainty that was hanging over the market and allows the rooftop market to get moving again,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.
Background
Net metering, one of the vital policy drivers for rooftop solar adoption, has witnessed a series of revisions in India in the past few months.
Net metering for rooftop solar systems was capped at 1 MW until the government <a href="https://mercomindia.com/no-net-metering-for-rooftop-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed</a> to drastically cut it to 10 kW in December 2020. Several stakeholders <a href="https://mercomindia.com/industry-fears-rooftop-market-will-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">believed</a> the government’s proposal would destroy the rooftop solar market. After severe opposition and representation by the industry, the government relented, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ministry-of-power-net-metering-rooftop-500-kw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">considering</a> net metering for capacity up to 500 kW.

Government Approves Net Metering for Rooftop Solar Systems Up to 500 kW Capacity

The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.wberc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WBERC</a>) has ruled that consumers who install solar photovoltaic systems before June 30, 2021, will be eligible for net metering facilities.
Background 
The Commission had issued its ‘Cogeneration and Generation of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy (First Amendment)’ Regulations, 2020 in December 2020, revising renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets and increasing the number of obligated entities. The regulations were aimed at promoting rooftop solar adoption through net metering and net billing facilities.
In January, the WBERC had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/west-bengal-mandates-gross-metering/">issued</a> amendments to the Cogeneration and Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources Regulations 2013. A significant amendment was the mandate of a gross metering facility for rooftop solar systems above 5 kW in capacity.
The amended regulations allowed net metering for agricultural consumers and all other consumers with a sanctioned load of up to 5 kW and net billing facilities for consumers with a higher than 5 kW load. Existing net metering consumers were allowed to continue with their arrangements.
Before these amendments, net metering was only allowed for institutional, industrial, commercial, and housing complex consumers with grid-connected rooftop systems of 5 kW and above.
However, WBERC said that it had received comments from consumers and solar developers asking for net metering to be allowed for ongoing projects, which were started based on the previous regulations from 2013.
Commission’s Stance 
The Commission said that the concerns of consumers and developers with investments based on the old regulations were reasonable.
It noted that it would take some more time to notify a feed-in-tariff for net billing, considering that the detailed procedures for implementing rooftop solar under net metering and net billing had not been finalized yet. The Commission also acknowledged that consumers applying for new connections under net billing would not get connected until a feed-in-tariff was notified.
Subsequently, the Commission ruled that consumers who install their solar systems before June 30, 2021, would be eligible for net metering. Consumers must notify their respective distribution licensees about their installed systems before this date.
Distribution licensees, in turn, must verify and confirm the date of installation of these solar photovoltaic systems before allowing net metering facilities for them. The Commission also directed that copies of its order be served on all distribution licensees operating under its jurisdiction and for a copy to be posted on the WBERC’s website.
In February, the Ministry of Power had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ministry-power-review-net-metering/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assured</a> stakeholders from the rooftop solar segment that the government would review its stance on gross metering for installations over 10 kW capacity. The Ministry had earlier issued The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/no-net-metering-for-rooftop-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandating </a>net metering for loads up to 10 kW and gross metering for loads greater than 10 kW.
Mercom’s flagship event <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-summit-india-virtual-solar-event/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Solar Summit</a>, to be held virtually on April 8th and 9th, has an exclusive session to discuss “<a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-summit-india-virtual-solar-event/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Can Rooftop Solar Come out of Ground Mount’s Shadow and Be The Next Big Thing?</a>.” Industry stakeholders will participate in a dialogue and share ideas on how to facilitate growth in the rooftop market and how to address challenges when dealing with DISCOMs. You can <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-summit-india-virtual-solar-event/register/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here </a>to register for the event.

net-billing

Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.

RECENT POSTS