Chhattisgarh Issues Terms & Condition for Distributed Solar Projects

If a project installed at consumer’s premises delivers excess electricity to the DISCOM, the DISCOM will procure such excess energy generated at the end of the settlement period at the rate of Rs 1/kWh.

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) has issued its CSERC Regulation 2019 (terms and conditions for distributed solar projects in the state). These new regulations will apply to consumers willing to set solar energy project under net metering directly or through RESCO model.

The state commission has also advised all DISCOMs to create in-house distributed solar energy (DSE) cell and submit the compliance report in this regard to the commission within two months from the date of notification of these regulations.

Key Highlights of the Regulation:

• For solar generators of total capacity 10 kW and above, connectivity with the distribution system of the licensees will be carried out by the distribution licensee after getting permission from the chief electrical inspector (CEI).
• For solar PV generators with a total capacity of less than 10 kW, connectivity with the distribution system of the licensees will be carried out by distribution licensee after getting permission from the chartered electrical engineer.
• Distributed solar energy projects of capacity 10 kW and above will need to have full-fledged communication interface and data acquisition system.
• Any consumer in the area of the DISCOM will be eligible to establish distributed solar energy projects, under net metering on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• If a project installed at consumer’s premises delivers excess electricity to the DISCOM, the DISCOM will procure such excess energy generated at the end of the settlement period at the rate of ₹1/kWh.
• The DISCOM will procure excess energy generated by distributed solar energy projects at the end of the settlement period. The payment amount will be given as credit in the subsequent billing month of the next settlement period of the consumer.
• No charges for connectivity with the distribution licensee for distributed solar projects coming under these regulations will be levied.

While the minimum capacity of a project must be 1 kW, the maximum limit has been set at 1 MW. These regulations will come into effect from April 1, 2019.

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