Maharashtra’s New Net Metering Policy 2019
The MERC (Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission) has come up with revolutionary renewable energy policy in the state of Maharashtra. This policy was introduced on December 30, 2019. The new policy is known as MERC (Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems) Regulations, 2019
We have analyzed the complete regulation and would like to present to you the summary of the regulation.
The regulation states that net-meter and gross-meter (net billing) will be optional and a consumer can choose from both of them. The regulation can be divided into two headings as below:
Eligibility:
- Minimum “Renewable Energy System (RES)” < 1kw and Maximum <= 1MW
- RES should be < or = to the sanction load (in KW) / contract demand (in KVA) of the premises.
- RES should be < or = to 70% of the transformer capacity. For excess permission, the detailed load will be analyzed by the Discom (MSEDCL) and the permission may be granted.
- An eligible consumer may enhance the RES in their premises at different locations.
- The consumer with pending arrears /due/litigation etc. with the Discom will not be given permission for RES.
- The consumer can install the RES for captive consumption without a net-meter / gross meter. The consumer must apply to the Discom for this as per the Annexure 5 of the notification.
Commercials:
-
- Eligible consumer needs to procure net-meter and generation meter at its own cost. For a solar system of more than 20kw, an additional check meter will be needed.
- The fees for the net meter application will be Rs. 500 + GST (for solar system up to 20kw) and Rs. 100 + GST thereafter for every 20kw or part thereof.
- HT (High Tension) customers will have to pay 5000 + GST for RES permission.
- All the payment for RES has to be paid online through the web-based process.
- The electricity generated by RES will be settled with the electricity imported from Discom. In the case of excess export of electricity, excess units will be carried forward in the next billing. If imported units are more than the exported units in any given month, then the bill will be raised by Discom for the excess units imported (after settling the previous dues).
- If the consumer has a TOD meter (where the electricity bill is distributed in various zones), the electricity exported in any specific zone will be first settled with the electricity imported in that specific zone. The excess exported electricity in any zone will be settled with the off-peak zone’s consumption/import (i.e. with zone A in the case of MSEDCL).
- For every unit generated from RES, the Discom may determine “Grid support charges” which will cover the losses of the Discom. This charge will be given by the Discom in “Retail tariff order” which will follow shortly.
There are many minute details in the circular. If you have any further queries or if you want any clarification, you may contact us.
The detailed circular (in Marathi and English) can be downloaded from HERE. or want to get more information about Maharashtra’s New Net Metering Policy 2019 please Contact us.- Sales [at] chirayupower [dot] com