MERC Increases Net-Metering Benefits For Rooftop Consumer Upto 5MW

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In its latest notification, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) allowed net-metering benefits for solar rooftop consumers up to 5 MW in Maharashtra. The state commission brought these changes with an amendment to the existing solar rooftop regulation of 2019. 

The notification amended several provisions of the MERC (Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems) Regulations, 2019. The commission named the amended regulation as–MERC (Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2023. 

Increased capacity upto 5MW  & net-metering

In one of the major amendments, MERC increased the limited solar rooftop net-metering capacity from 1 MW to 5 MW. “…Provided further that in case of Net Metering Arrangement, the Renewable Energy Generating System capacity shall be limited to 5 MW or Contract Demand/Sanction Load of consumer, whichever is lower,” the amended rules said.

The amended provisions also made space for gross metering, gross metering connection agreement and group net metering. Group net metering allows net metering benefits for more than one electricity service connection of the same consumers either at the same or different premises in the same discom jurisdiction. The new regulation also added the definition of ‘prosumers’.

The new rules also paved the way for the imposition of fines to discoms in case of delays. The latest regulation amended Section 9.5 of the principal regulation to add the provision of penalty to discoms in case of delay in connection. 

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Compensation for delay

“Provided that in case of delay in performing any activity by Distribution Licensee, it shall compensate the concerned consumer at the rate of five hundred rupees per day of delay in performing the activity,” the rules read.

The new regulations also empower the consumers to terminate their connection agreement early to enter into a new connection agreement for group net metering. The new rules also changed frame rules for the energy accounting and settlement of group net metering. 

“Where the export of units during any billing period exceeds the import of units at the connection where Renewable Energy Project is located, such surplus units injected into the grid shall be adjusted against the energy consumed in the monthly bill of service connection(s) in a sequence indicated in the priority list along with sharing ratio provided by the Consumer,” the rules said.

It also said that the quantum of electricity consumed by the Eligible Consumer from the Renewable Energy Generating System under the Net Metering /Net Billing/Behind the Meter Arrangement would qualify towards his compliance with RPO if such Consumer is an Obligated Entity.