JSERC Brings Regulation For Group Net Metering & Virtual Net Metering In Jharkhand

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Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) recently released its (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering) Regulations, 2024.

Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission regulates the net metering and virtual net metering in the state, describe these concepts, their application to the consumers and redress their grievances.

JSERC notification stated, “Group Net Metering’ is an arrangement in which the surplus energy generated/injected from a Renewable Energy System or Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) charged through a Renewable Energy System is exported to the grid through a Net Meter and the exported energy is adjusted in more than one electricity service connection(s) of the same consumer located within the same distribution licensee’s area of supply”.

It also explained the concept of Virtual Net Metering’ as an arrangement in which the entire energy generated/injected from a Renewable Energy System or Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) charged through a Renewable Energy System is exported to the grid from a gross meter and the energy exported is adjusted in more than one electricity service connection(s) of participating consumers located within the same distribution licensee’s area of supply.

It mentioned the role of ‘Third party owner’ means a developer who is generating solar energy on a rooftop but does not own the rooftop but enters into a lease / commercial agreement with the rooftop owner.’ The DISCOM’s role is to carry out a technical feasibility analysis. The document reads, “Licensee is expected to carry out the technical feasibility analysis based on the furnished information in the application submitted by the eligible consumer. The DISCOM after review of the proposed Rooftop Solar Plant satisfies the requisite technical standards of CEA/MNRE/ DISCOM/JSERC, especially concerning inverter specifications, penetration levels, safety aspects like anti-islanding and protection devices, etc. or not. This analysis shall be carried out within 7 working days from the date of submission of application.”

It added, “The connection agreement is expected to be carried out as per the document exchanged between eligible consumers and the distribution company. The document is expected to specify the technical information, commercial arrangement, and the clear roles and responsibilities of all the concerned stakeholders within 30 days of issuing technical feasibility analysis.”

As per the document, “The plant shall be installed within Six months from the date of Agreement. In case of any delay beyond Six months, DISCOM may provide the time extension on a case-to-case basis, after which the agreement shall be deemed to be terminated. In case of any delay beyond Six months, DISCOM may provide the time extension on a case-to-case basis, after which the agreement is deemed to be terminated.”

Metering Arrangement 

Under the 2015 regulation governing JSERC (Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems and Net/Gross Metering) Regulations, 2015, “Distribution Licensee shall install Renewable Energy meter(s) at Generation point(s) which shall facilitate remote meter reading.”

It added, “The electricity consumption in any time block (e.g., peak hours, offpeak hours, etc.) is to be first compensated with the electricity generation in similar time blocks in the same billing cycle of the consumer where the Renewable Energy project is located, and any surplus units injected shall be adjusted against the energy consumed in the monthly bill of service connection(s) in a sequence indicated in the priority list and by the ratio provided by the consumer as if the surplus generation/ Energy Credits occurred during the off-peak time block for Time of Day (ToD) consumers and normal time block for Non-ToD consumer.” 

It mentioned, “At the end of each settlement period, any electricity credits which remain unadjusted, such excess electricity shall be accounted for and paid by the Distribution licensee to the consumer at a rate approved by the commission in distribution licensee latest tariff Order of the applicable year and shall be reset to zero at the beginning of each settlement period.”

Renewable Energy Certificate Mechanism 

The document specifies eligibility to participate in the renewable energy certificate (REC) mechanism mentioned, “Eligibility to Participate under Renewable Energy Certificate Mechanism under clause A13 of JSERC (Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems and Net/Gross Metering) Regulations, 2015, as amended from time to time and orders issued there under.

It elaborated, “If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of these Regulations, the Commission may, by general or specific order, give directions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act, as may appear to be necessary or expedient for removing difficulties.”