Draft Net-Metering Regulations For Goa and UTs Issued by JERC

The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the state of Goa and union territories (UTs) has issued draft net metering regulations.

The Regulations shall extend to the state of Goa and the UTs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. And, will be applicable only to the grid-connected rooftop mounted, ground mounted and floating solar power projects.

Solar projects of capacity up to 500 kW at a single location will be eligible for grid connectivity. Solar PV projects of capacity higher than 500 kW can be considered by the DISCOM if the distribution system remains stable with the project getting connected to the grid.

Under the new regulations, consumers will generate solar power for self-consumption and can feed the excess solar power into the grid, which will be adjusted under net metering. The maximum solar PV generation capacity to be installed at any eligible consumer premises must not exceed his contract demand or sanctioned load.

The Discom may undertake demand aggregation and other related activities, to promote solar power capacity in its licensed area, and may act as RESCO or EPC to undertake solar power development in the region. It will arrange testing and sealing of the electricity meter of eligible consumers; the electricity meters will be arranged by the consumer or power generator. The DISCOM will allow the installation of solar projects in its area of supply on a non-discriminatory and first-come-first-serve basis for each distribution transformer separately and within the stipulated timeline.

The commission has proposed that in case the payment by the Discom is delayed beyond May 31 of that year, a late payment surcharge at the rate of 1.25% per month will be levied on the Discom. Solar PV projects will be exempted from banking charges.

The electricity consumed by an eligible entity from the solar project under a net metering arrangement will qualify towards the compliance of solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO). The electricity consumed by a consumer from a rooftop solar system under a net metering arrangement will qualify towards meeting the solar RPO of the DISCOM if the consumer is not an obligated entity. The unadjusted surplus units of solar energy purchased by the DISCOM will also qualify towards meeting its solar RPO.

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