Maharashtra Energy Regulatory Commission (MERC) has notified revised rooftop solar policy for the State in which a novel concept of Group Net Metering (GNM) has been now introduced. For example, a person having multiple establishments can get incentives by having solar installation at one place and clubbing other properties at different places for taking benefit of net-metering. Terming the notification of MERC historic in nature, Saket Suri, Founder-Director, All India Renewable Energy Association, said, Maharashtra would emerge as one of the top producers of rooftop solar power in the near future. In GNM, he said, consumers can produce power at one location and utilise it at the same location first, and credit excess power to Grid to offset power consumption of other locations or multiple locations within the same DISCOM area. GNM will benefit consumers having multiple locations of consumption. Giving an example, Suri said, “A consumer having shop/office in a commercial complex and factory or godown at some other location with extra space, can now generate power and compensate major part of the consumption.”

 

MERC notified the Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating System (First Amendment) Regulation 2023. Suri said, it would help balance the current regime of high tariff, currently a top cause for concern for consumers with higher consumption. The new policy would stop migration of industries to other states as Net Metering Limit has now been raised to 5 MW or contract demand, whichever is on lower side. Earlier, the limit was 1 MW and now large power consumers can reduce their bills substantially by transferring excess power to grid. Previously big power consumers faced major difficulties as they had to connect their solar PV power plant behind the meter. During those times, there would be power losses, especially during low load and high power generating hours, most of the times at lunch time, or in the afternoon time when generation was at its peak and also on all holidays. Grid Support Charges are deferred till State reaches 5000 MW installed base of rooftop solar power generation and same would benefit all categories. Earlier, charges were to be introduced after achievement of 2000 MW PV installations and target is almost reached. A PIL was already filed for the same (Case 176 of 2023) by Sudhir Budhay to remove the solar power cap, but now it is deferred as consumers are relieved for few more years or till the said case is decided.

 

Modified Net Billing Arrangement: MERC has also modified the bill calculation method for consumers opting for Net Billing Arrangement. Earlier power generated by consumer under net billing arrangement was purchased by DISCOM at APP rate, it was Rs 3.75 per unit. The same power used to be billed by DISCOM at its tariff rate, between Rs 9 to Rs 24 based on consumer category. So power produced and used simultaneously by the consumer is not considered under this calculation. However now power exported from all such installations will get converted to amount at APP rate and this amount is then going to be deducted from final bill. This arrangement is going to be suitable for consumers with major power consumption during evening say from 6 pm to 10 pm, like marriage lawns, evening open air restaurants and Dhabas etc. where no metering arrangements or even open access arrangement allows solar power adjustments in this time slot. Moreover, there is no banking charge and consumer need not wait for encashment of extra exported power till year end.

 

MERC has imposed fine on DISCOM at Rs 500/- per day if SoP guidelines are not followed. In view of introduction of GNM, provision for early termination of existing arrangement and migration to GNM has also been provided in the said notification, said Budhay. Consumers can encash 50% of his credit amount with DISCOM, while earlier consumers with excess production used to carry forward continuous credit at the year end in their account. Now 50% of the credit amount shall be refunded to consumer by way of electronic transfer with in 60 days i.e. by May 31, in case consumer has credit for last 3 consecutive financial years. Delay in such payment will attract interest at MCLR rate of SBI.