New net-metering policy to power Gujarat's solar-rooftops…

 

In order to provide the necessary fillip roof-top solar power projects sector in Gujarat, the state government will be introducing a new "net-metering policy" in 2-3 weeks, that will provide better financial incentives to solar-power generating households.

"We have prepared this policy and we hope to declare it before the Lok Sabha elections are announced," DJ Pandian, principal secretary (energy), Government of Gujarat told The Indian Express on the sidelines of a seminar on "Solar Energy in India' organised by the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) on Saturday.

Under this new policy, Gujarat government proposes to introduce "Net-Metering" for power consumers in the state. Net metering is an electricity policy --- similar to the ones introduced by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh or Uttarakhand --- for utility customers who operate their own "self-generation" photovoltaic systems at their residences.

"So, if a household consumes 200 units of electricity and generates 100 units through the solar panel on their roof-tops, they will have to pay for the remaining 100 units. In case, if a house produces more than their requirement (at any given point in time), the power will go to the grid," said Pandian while explaining the new net-metering policy that is expected to be announced in the next 2-3 weeks.

Under this policy an electricity meter, that measures the power utilised by the household from the grid, and the power supplied (from the solar-rooftop) to the grid,  will be installed in homes.
Gujarat government in 2010 had started the Gandhinagar rooftop solar programme and had approved the installation of rooftop solar panels up to a capacity of 5 MW across the state capital. In absence of a net-metering policy, the Gujarat government along with solar power companies had been providing individual homes in Gandhingar (under a pilot project), a green incentive of Rs 3 for every unit of power generated by photovoltaic systems installed on rooftops of households.

The net-metering system is expected to make solar rooftop projects more attractive to individual households, especially in the new towns and cities in Gujarat where the project is yet to pick up. As per the Census 2011, there are about 16,000 households in Gujarat that use solar energy as a primary source to illuminate their homes.

"The next revolution in solar power is not utility connected power, but solar power produced on roof-tops," the state government official said taking about the huge potential the segment held.
Pandian also spoke about how ITI students needed to be trained in managing and repairing these solar panels and systems so as to ensure that the roof-tops across Gujarat continue to generate power.

Apart from Gandhinagar, solar roof-top projects have been floated for the cities of Vadodara, Mehsana, Surat (5 MW each), Rajkot (6.5 MW) and Bhavnagar (3.5 MW).

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DERC issues proposal for net metering for the rooftop solar PV PRojects...

 

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has prepared a proposal on net metering & connectivity in respect of rooftop solar PV projects in exercise of powers conferred under section 86 (1) (e) of the Electricity Act, 2003. In this line, the Commission has invited suggestions/comments from various shareholders.

As per the proposal, the distribution licensee shall allow non-discriminatory net-metering arrangement on first-cm-first serve basis for both self-owned and third party owned rooftop PV systems as long as the total capacity (in MW) does not exceed the target capacity determined by the Commission.

Moreover, the Interconnection framework for net-metering shall address parameters including connecting voltage level, any minimum technical standards for interconnection as indicated by the Commission in DRC (Terms & Conditions for Determination of Tariff for Grid Connected Solar Photo Voltaic Project) Regulations, 2013 and Delhi Electricity Supply Code, 2007.

Deliberating on the capacity limits, the Commission noted that the installation of netmetered rooftop solar systems on consumer premises will utilize the same service line for excess power injection into the Grid which is currently being used by the consumer for drawl of power from utility network.

While the electricity generated from a solar rooftop system shall be capped cumulatively at 90% of the electricity consumption by the eligible consumer at the end of settlement period, any excess generation (above 90 per cent) at the end of the financial year would be considered as free energy and not offset against the consumer’s consumption.

The suggestions or objections shall reach the Commission latest by December 16, 2013.

The notice inviting suggestions can be downloaded from here.

The complete proposal can be downloaded from here.

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Andhra Net Metering Policy for Solar Power attracts people to go for rooftop solar...

 

The state government’s sops to single phase users, under the net metering scheme, is attracting more people take to solar power units.
 
Net metering is a power policy that allows solar energy consumers to supply surplus power to the grid, which is now gaining popularity.
 
The EPDCL has introduced net metering in the city as an attempt to encourage solar power production in the state. But, then the government had announced benefits only to three phase users and not may were attracted to the move.
 
Subsequently, the government altered the policy and annouced subsidy to single phase users as well. They can avail the subsidy by installing solar photo voltaic units of up to 3 KW capacity on the roofs. Further, the discom has decided to bear 50 per cent of expenditure of the systems that are installed before March 31.
 
“We are receiving good response after applying the policy to single phase users,” said a senior discom official. He said the state had agreed to provide 20 per cent subsidy for installation of roof top system of up to 3 KW capacity in domestic sector, vide GO. MS nos 22 & 27, in addition to 30 per cent central subsidy.
 
The EPDCL had also designed a project for 194 tribal hamlets for the benefit of tribals. Panels with power generation capacity of 210 KW will be installed in each tribal hamlet, identified under the project, depending on the requirement, an official said.
 
The project is expected to take off next month and it would continue to be in force till December next year.

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AP Distribution company gearing up to implement net metering policy for rooftop solar projects...

 

The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) is gearing up to implement net metering policy. It is about the mechanism of injecting solar power into the grid by rooftop and small photovoltaic plants and arriving at the net value of power.

After the single-phase consumers were also recently allowed by the Energy Department to avail net metering facility, the ball is now in the court of the power distribution companies (Discoms) to encourage and facilitate tapping of solar energy through rooftop plants and small SPV plants .

Only three-phase consumers were till last month permitted to install bi-directional meters which measure the net value of power. But the condition has since been relaxed allowing single-phase consumers with rooftop systems up to 3 KW capacity also to go for net metering.

The onus to motivate consumers to tap solar energy and export any surplus power to the grid now lies on the Discoms and the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP).

Bi-directional meters

On their part, the Discoms are mandated to certify and inspect the solar rooftop systems along with the metering devices and other paraphernalia at regular intervals while the NREDCAP facilitates payment of subsidy to the consumers registered with it. Installation of high accuracy bi-directional meters which can be tracked on a real-time basis and devices capable of injecting solar power into the grid smoothly without causing fluctuations in the grid frequency are the main things that the APTRANSCO and Discoms have to do.

Disturbances

Disturbances (harmonics) to the grid are common as direct current (solar energy in this case) is converted to alternate current. Insulating the grid from such variations is called ‘island protection’.

The Divisional Engineers (Metering & Protection) play an important role in integrating the solar plants with the grid and they have already been equipped with the necessary skills.

The procedures to be followed in the wake of issuance of the fresh G.O on net metering on October 25 are being circulated to the officers and staff concerned.

An APSPDCL official told The Hindu that the solar power generators and Discoms are under the obligation to comply with all the rules and regulations framed under the Electricity Act, 2003, provisions of tariffs and other general terms and conditions with the approvals of the A.P Electricity Regulatory Commission.

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Tamil Nadu Electricity Commission issued order on net metering for the rooftop solar projects...

 

TN Electricity Regulatory Com­mission has issued its order on ‘net metering’ with regard to the state’s solar energy policy 2012, paving the way for the installation of grid connected rooftop solar photo voltaic (SPV) plants. However, the pending court cases could prevent the enforcement of the order.
 
The commission’s order came in the wake of the state government issuing guidelines for availing its subsidy of Rs 20,000 for one-kilowatt rooftop SPV plants. Domestic consumers who want rooftop solar SPV plants could either opt for capital subsidy or generation-based incentive (GBI).
 
The commission, in its order on Wednesday for LT connectivity and net metering, said that both the existing and new solar rooftop and solar systems, which comply with this order, are eligible for net metering.
 
“Two meters have to be installed by the solar power generator, one for measuring solar power generation (SPG) and the other for import-export measurement, the order said.  Inte­re­stingly, the order has made the installation of the SPG meter optional for those not availing of the GBI. The second meter is a bi-directional one, which would replace the existing consumer meter.
 
To ensure grid stability, the TNERC has fixed a cap on grid penetration for the PV system. The order said that   any bat­tery backup must be restricted to the consumer’s network and battery po­wer had to be prevented from  ext­ending to grid in case of power failure.

The order can be downloaded from here.

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