The electricity sold under net metering consumers can earn up to 7Rs/unit sold
The union power ministry of India has released a new draft for the amendment of rights of consumers rules which they had laid at the end of December 2020.
The amendment included the relaxation of the solar norms and it has been proposed to the stakeholders for their input on these changes.
This move comes as a relief to the solar industry as the government according to the latest norms will allow up to 500 kilowatt of rooftop installation to be billed under the net metering. if the current proposal is approved by the government, people who possess solar rooftop panels will receive better tariffs from the power distribution companies for the surplus power sold to them.
Currently there are two types of metering which is provided by discoms in India. Under the net metering the electricity meter operates in two directions. Here the consumer first utilizes the power he generates and the excess power which remains is given to the grid. If the need arises, they can take excess power from the grid as well as per their requirement. At the time of the billing period power consumed or sold by the consumer is calculated. If the net energy consumed is higher i.e., import is higher than the export, the consumer will pay the discom for the net units as per the tariff band. If it is lesser the discom may pay the consumer or adjust the payments during the next billing period.
Under gross metering, the solar power generated by consumer is not linked to their consumption. Two separate meters are installed in order to calculate this. They are measured independently. Power generated by the rooftop plant is directly fed into the power grid, which is measured through an export meter and the power from the grid is imported for the consumption by the consumer which is calculated through an import meter.
Now as per the earlier government norms only up to 10kw of rooftop capacity could be billed under the net metering norms, But as per the latest amendment proposed by the government it is suggested to increase it from up to 500kw to be billed under the net metering in India. If the electricity is sold under net metering consumers can earn up to 7Rs/unit sold, but under the gross metering they are caped off at 3-4Rs/unit. While the earlier norm was to impede the pace of capacity addition of rooftop solar in the country by the consumers the current amendment is to boost the solar Industry sector.
The latest amendments which are being considered, if approved, can have a negative impact on state-run discoms, which will lose revenue due to the higher payment to the consumers who opt for rooftop solar installation in their premises.
Source: financialexpress
Image credit: indiamart.com
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