HERC upswings incentive on rooftop solar plants installed for residential buildings

A step that might help push solar power generation in the state, the Haryana government has quadrupled the incentive given to rooftop solar plants installed under the state’s new solar policy for residential buildings, from 25p per kWh to Rs1 per kWh.

The notice released from Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) states that from starting from August 2016, till March 2017, an incentive of Rs 1/kWh shall be given by the Discoms, instead of previous 25 paise/kWh offered, during financial year 2016-17.

Consumers who have installed rooftop solar systems under the new solar policy (starting April 1, 2016 till July 31, 2016), the incentive will be provided at the rate of 25 paise/kWh for the corresponding period. From there on, the incentive shall be applicable at Rs 1/kWh.

“The incentive is assessed by HERC every year. This year, the commission has decided to raise it from 25 paise/kWh to Rs 1/kWh. This is applicable for rooftop solar power plants installed in residential homes,” informed a senior Haryana Renewable Energy Department (HAREDA) official.

He further added that the incentive will be capped at 90 percent of total consumption in any financial year. Buildings of all categories other than residential will continue to get paid an incentive at 25 paise/kWh. The new incentive policy development has been received well by industry people.

Using net metering, the consumers can source supply from both the Discom grid and their rooftop solar plant. If supply from any one stop, the system automatically switches to the other. The meter will record how much power was used from which source, and charges the user for the difference.

As of now, Gurgaon has 11 active net meters that supply power back to the grid. Of these, only four are in residential buildings. There are 54 pending applications for net metering with the department.

Source: ET